And a very happy 4/20 to all of you, indeed. For those of you who are too mature (or too “uncool”) to know what we are talking about, today is the day when stoners of the world unite to celebrate the unofficial marijuana holiday. Urban myths abound about why marijuana smokers refer to 4:20 as the international pot-smoking hour. Some believe the number relates to the California police code for a marijuana bust; others say it is the California penal code for a marijuana bust; some proffer that it bears a relationship to the day Jim Morrison died; while others simply believe that 420 represents the number of chemicals in marijuana (though we are pretty sure THC is the important one).

All of these explanations are totally schwag, however. When discussing California penal code, a 420 is indicative of obstructing entry on public land. We have not found a police radio code in California that is 420 and stands for a marijuana bust. We all know The Lizard King died in July. And, there are 315 chemicals in pot. So where does that leave us? Although the term does originate from that bastion of all things trendy, California, the term apparently began in 1971 at San Rafael High School. A group of stoners used the term as covert lingo to represent meeting up outside of class to get high and all other things stoney. Now, thanks to Phishheads everywhere and gift shops with tastes of the lowest order, it is the ubiquitous symbol for the time to get high.

Naturally, to help celebrate the joy of cannabis, the Texas chapter of NORML will be having a benefit party at the Vibe to raise money for “Texans for Medical Marijuana” and The NORML Defense Fund . (All cheekiness aside, these are two very worth causes.) Doors open at 5pm, with live music from 6pm on into the stoney red-eyed hours of the night. Featured bands will include: Jabarvy, Subrosa Union, Two Guy Trio, The Mau Mau Chaplains and The Asylum Street Spankers. We have caught a few of these bands in the past, and we are pretty sure they were good, but don’t hold us to it – we were, like, totally stoned.

Admission is $7 and there will be a sweet raffle featuring items from all of your favorite “heady” local businesses like Waterloo and the Alamo Drafthouse.

So, smoke em if you got em, Austin. And if you are wanting to quit the hippy lettuce, click here
to find out how to get help…then send us all of your weed.

The Vibe
508 E. 6th Street
$7, Doors @ 5pm