420

In San Rafael, California, back in 1971,
Five high school boys would meet at a wall outside the school for fun.
They called themselves the Waldos, and they’d heard about a crop
Of nearby marijuana plants whose grower had to stop.

Some friends gave the Waldos a map that claimed to mark the very spot
By the Point Reyes Peninsula Coast Guard station for the pot.
They never found the fabled stash but tried on multiple days.
When saying they’d like to meet for the hunt, they used the simple code phrase

Of “4:20 Louis,” by which they meant to come at 4:20 PM
To a statue of Louis Pasteur (they all had sports to play till then).
In time, they dropped the “Louis.” After that, they gave up the quest
But continued to say “420” when discussing a stoner fest.

One of the Waldos became a roadie serving the Grateful Dead.
His brother smoked with the bassist, so the term was surely said.
Some Deadheads in Oakland released a flyer inviting all sorts of folk
To come on April 20th at 4:20 to have a smoke.

A High Times magazine writer got the flyer and followed the trail.
Despite competing theories, this is still the most likely tale.
The Cannabis Action Network, formed in 1989,
Would help to make 4/20 a popular pro-weed protest time.