Hundreds of pot smokers hit Hyde Park for ‘420’ day with calls to legalise cannabis

LONDON (thesun): Hundreds of pot smokers have today packed Hyde Park to celebrate “420 day”.

Brits enjoyed highs of 16C in the capital as they flocked to the busy park following fresh calls to legalise cannabis.

Police officers were seen patrolling the park which was full of joyous locals enjoying “Weed Day” – which falls on April 20 every year.

But youngsters were left to gather in large groups to smoke together with some wearing marijuana-themed sunglasses and hats.

Every year, April 20 is dubbed “420 day” as in the US calendar the date is written as 4/20 – and the digits have become synonymous with cannabis culture.

In the US, 33 states have legalised the drug with a doctor’s recommendation.

It is a day half of celebration and half a call to action – calling for the decriminalisation of the drug.

Urban legend suggested that 420 was formerly the penal code that Californian police used to categorise marijuana cases.

However, this theory has been discredited as the digits are linked to trespassing offences.

Many believe that 420 culture first stemmed from the San Rafael High School in California.

In 1971, five students allegedly hatched a plan to meet at 4.20pm, where they embarked on a mission to find a plot of cannabis plants that were growing nearby.

Even though their mission was unsuccessful, rumour has it that 420 continued to be used as a secret code for marijuana.

Today, it remains a term used to describe the consumption of weed, especially at around 4.20pm in the afternoon.

Festivities are widespread in North America, where observances have been held in locations including Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, and Parliament Hill in Ontario.

420 DAY

Cannabis lovers in other countries have also adopted the tradition.

The Home Office states that: “It remains illegal for UK residents to possess cannabis in any form.”

Growing, possessing or distributing the Class B drug is against the law, but some councils in the UK don’t pursue those who use cannabis for “personal use”.

The maximum punishment for cannabis possession is five years in prison and an unlimited fine.