Easter and 420: A Thoughtful Quick Overview on Cannabis and Its Context in the Bible

Image Posted inHemp: Originally posted on May 31, 2023, by: Chris Bennett

This year, April 20, 2025, marks a unique convergence: it is both Easter Sunday and the date celebrated by cannabis enthusiasts as 4/20. Easter, a principal Christian festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus, falls on this date in 2025 for both Western (Catholic/Protestant) and Eastern Orthodox churches, a relatively rare occurrence. Concurrently, April 20th is widely recognized as an unofficial holiday for marijuana culture, known as 4/20.

Cannabis and the Bible

Scholarly discussions and archaeological findings suggest a historical connection between cannabis and ancient religious practices referenced in the Bible1.

• Holy Anointing Oil: Some biblical scholars propose that cannabis, referred to by the Hebrew terms kaneh or kaneh bosm, was an ingredient in the holy anointing oil mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in Exodus 30:231. This oil was used in sacred rituals within the Temple in Jerusalem 1.

• Archaeological Evidence: Evidence supporting the ritualistic use of cannabis in ancient Israel emerged from a 2020 study of a shrine in Tel Arad. Researchers found burnt cannabis resin on one of two altars, alongside frankincense on the other, suggesting its use in religious ceremonies1.

• Shift in Significance: While potentially used early on, later biblical passages, such as Jeremiah 6:20, reject kaneh bosm as a foreign substance, indicating a shift away from its use as monotheistic practices solidified 1. The interpretation of kaneh bosm as cannabis remains a subject of debate among scholars and religious authorities.

The Origins of 4/20

The term "420" and its association with April 20th as a cannabis holiday have several origin theories, though one is most widely accepted.

• The Waldos: The most credible story traces back to the early 1970s with a group of students at San Rafael High School in California known as "the Waldos. ". They used the code "420" to refer to their plan to meet at 4:20 p.m. after school to search for an abandoned cannabis patch, using a map provided by a friend's brother245. Though they never found the patch, the term "420" became their code for marijuana and spread, partly through their connections with the band the Grateful Dead 24.

• Other Theories: Less substantiated theories suggest "420" was a police code for marijuana or derived from Bob Dylan's song "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" (as 12 multiplied by 35 equals 420) 24578.

Easter and 4/20 Coincidence in 2025

The alignment of Easter Sunday and 4/20 on April 20, 2025, is a result of the lunar-calendar-based calculation for Easter and the fixed date for the informal cannabis holiday 3491112. This coincidence has led to some unique observations and events 4578.

• Celebrations: Examples include "Easter nug hunts" replacing traditional egg hunts in Los Angeles, kosher-style THC gummies for Passover (which also overlapped) in New York, and "blaze and praise" drag brunches in Portland 4578.

• Industry Event: 4/20 also serves as a significant date for the cannabis industry, featuring promotions, festivals, and vendor gatherings 247.

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