What does 420 mean?
Definition, Use Cases, Examples

420 Meaning

420 means marijuana. It originated in California in the 1970’s when students would meet outside their school at 4:20 p.m. and smoke weed.

Read about more Dangerous Slang and Emoji used by Kids and Teens

The MMGuardian Phone

Samsung phones with MMGuardian built-in

How is 420 used? Use Cases & Examples

The slang expression 420 originated in California in the 1970’s when students would meet outside their school at 4:20 p.m. and smoke weed. In contemporary culture 420 refers to April 20 when at 4:20 p.m. pot smokers light up in celebration of marijuana use. Teenagers often use 420 as a replacement word for weed.

Examples of how your teen might use the slang term 420:

-We can always smell the 420 parties next door.

-Do you have any 420?

-It’s so foggy I feel like I’m in the park on 420.

-Doritos and Sour Patch Kids are my favorite munchies when I’m 420ing.

How to Identify if your child is using the 420 slang word

You might learn your child is using this slang term by chance when a text pops up on the phone screen. The use of the slang term 420 is a red flag and indicates that your teen is talking about marijuana.

Having a parental control app on your child’s phone will give you peace of mind by alerting you to your child’s exposure to risks encountered on their phone. With a parental control app installed on your child’s phone, you have the control to set alerts to help your teen avoid the pitfalls of predators, drug dealers, and other negative influences. Having the ability to vary the level of monitoring gives you the power to choose what is right for your child, and these levels can easily be adjusted at any time.

How to talk with your child about use of the 420 slang word

Marijuana use is a controversial subject in American culture, and it’s especially confounding for parents. The general scientific consensus is that smoking weed is detrimental to the developing brain, and smoking any substance is detrimental to cardiovascular health. As with any sensitive topic you’re discussing with your teen, it’s beneficial to have reputable scientific data to back up what you’re saying, especially if your teen is skeptical of your point of view. Here are some ideas for talking with your teen about marijuana:

Some people claim that weed is safer than alcohol, but why would you want to do anything at all that would harm yourself?
Does your school ever sponsor events to educate you about weed?
Have you seen content on Instagram or TikTok that encourages marijuana use?
What’s a code word you could text me if you need to make a quick exit when you’re out with your friends? I’ll come pick you up, no questions asked.