What Does 420-Friendly Mean? A Simple Breakdown

Here’s one way to tell that our culture is making its way into the mainstream.

Have you ever browsed dating apps, apartment listings, or travel sites and stumbled across the term “420 friendly?”

The first time I encountered that phrase, my eyes widened like a kid in a candy store. Could it be? Has the cannabis culture made a big enough impact to change how we book trips, meet others, and live our lives?

But what does 420-friendly mean exactly? It’s basically stoner code, telling the cannabis community that whatever’s being offered accepts marijuana or general cannabis use.

That said, the phrase has evolved over the years. Whether you smoke weed occasionally or are deeply involved in cannabis consumption, here’s everything you need to know about “420-friendly,” what it means, and what it definitely doesn’t mean.

The phrase “420 friendly” can take on different meanings depending on where you find it. Here’s where you’ll typically see it and what it means in that context:

Some apps have included a feature with a little weed symbol, indicating that cannabis use is part of that person’s hobbies or interests.

When someone includes it in their dating profile, here’s what that could mean:

• They consume cannabis and are looking for a partner who does the same
• They don’t necessarily smoke marijuana themselves but are open to dating cannabis enthusiasts

Any of the two above are green flags that the person you’re checking out is truly “420-friendly” and respects the cannabis culture.

This one’s pretty rare, but we’ve seen it in recreational states like California and Colorado. Not all real estate listings will have this option, but it’s growing in popularity as cannabis becomes mainstream.

If you encounter a “420-friendly listing”, here’s what that generally means:

• Cannabis consumption is allowed on the property
• Smoking weed indoors might be allowed (though some may restrict to vaping or edibles only—always check)
• Any roommates/landlords won’t fuss over the smell or presence of cannabis-related activities

Business and travel listings are likely the places most expected to have 420-friendly options.

The hospitality industry is starting to open itself to cannabis users by including this filter on various listings, especially in places with hot cannabis tourism where marijuana is recreationally legal.

This could mean:

• Accommodations where you won’t get penalties/evicted for consuming cannabis
• Tours or experiences for those interested in local cannabis culture
• Venues that allow cannabis use in designated areas

Still, it’s a bummer to say that most hotels and rental properties prohibit smoking on the property. Landlords and property owners simply don’t want to deal with what could come from letting guests consume cannabis in or around the residence.

Don’t get me wrong—it’s great to see “420 friendly” popping up nationwide. Even worldwide.

Still, these 420-friendly accommodations have their own rules that guests must follow. Always be respectful and remember what “420-friendly” doesn’t mean:

• It doesn’t mean recreational marijuana is legal in that location—local laws and state laws still apply
• It’s not an open invitation to smoke cannabis anywhere on the premises
• It doesn’t mean the person is necessarily a heavy marijuana smoker
• It doesn’t override federal law, which still classifies marijuana as illegal
• It doesn’t mean public spaces within a property are appropriate for cannabis use

Don’t make it awkward, and don’t be rude. Use some common sense paired with research and clear communication to ensure where you spark up is safe.

Many stoners don’t actually know where 420 came from and why it became the cultural symbol it is today.

Here’s a brief cannabis history lesson. Not long ago, in the not-so-far-away city of San Rafael, a group of high school students known as “The Waldos” would meet at 4:20 pm to spark up and search for an abandoned cannabis cultivation site.

The original grower who abandoned their grow-up? He was a member of the Coast Guard. Who knew?

Anyways—The Waldos would meet at the statue of Louis Pasteur outside their high school at 4:20 pm to smoke weed and find the crops. While they never found the site, the lore of The Waldos and 420 eventually made its way to the Grateful Dead.

The band would later invite The Waldos backstage after shows and to their parties. Not long after, The Waldos were part of the Grateful Dead’s inner circle—and the 420 lore spread like wildfire through the subculture and beyond.

So that, my friends, is why April 20th is the unofficial holiday for weed lovers worldwide, with cannabis events and cannabis-themed festivals popping up in recreational states for the community to celebrate.

This story also presents a deeper meaning behind the history of cannabis culture. As with any other moment you smoke weed or consume cannabis, 420 was all about the social gathering of friends seeking adventure and good times.

What began as a simple meetup time has transformed into something much bigger—something that cannabis enthusiasts, medical users, and advocates have supported for years: legalizing cannabis.

While it’s not legal in every state, or at a federal level—it’s on its way. We can only hope that more states and perhaps even the federal government can adopt a more welcoming approach to this special plant.

Cannabis connoisseurs and dabbers alike might be familiar with 710.

This is basically another unofficial holiday for cannabis culture, this time honoring concentrates and oils. It happens on 7/10 (July 10th), and it’s called 710 because it spells “OIL” when flipped upside down.

So, being 710-friendly would typically mean a specific location or person is open or comfortable with consuming cannabis concentrates including live resin, live rosin, budder, shatter, wax, etc.

No. Even in places described as 420-friendly, smoking weed is typically limited to designated areas.

Always check the rules of the 420-friendly location, where smoking or cannabis consumption is allowed, and what to avoid. Remember this: it’s still illegal, basically everywhere, to use cannabis in public spaces.

First, you must travel to a place where cannabis is recreationally legal. States with mature markets, like California, are a great place to start. Cannabis tourism is hot out there.

Here are some tips for finding 4/20-friendly businesses:

• Search for cannabis tourism websites
• Check reviews from other cannabis consumers
• Look for the 420-friendly filter on mainstream booking sites
• Contact businesses directly with questions about their policies

As cannabis culture grows and evolves with time, cannabis users are making more of an impact on the mainstream than ever.

Not long ago, smoking marijuana was incredibly stigmatized. While the stigma lingers, we’ve come a long way from cannabis consumption being associated with terms like “the devil’s lettuce.”

As cannabis use becomes more normalized, with potential cannabis legalization on the horizon, more people can easily and legally consume cannabis than ever before. We’ve even seen the rise of another holiday specifically for cannabis concentrates. If that’s not dedication, I don’t know what is.

In essence, 420-friendly means acceptance, respect, and admiration for weed, the act of cultivating cannabis, and the entire marijuana culture as a whole. While it doesn’t give you the right to smoke cannabis just about anywhere, it’s a nod to the cannabis community we’ve seen grow and evolve into something truly special.

As more states legalize cannabis, we can only hope that more people tap into this special holiday.