Radio Feature; “Inside 420: A Culture in Smoke”
“it’s a symbol of rebellion, spirituality, and ongoing global debate over legalization, culture, and morality”
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By Phanice Ronoh
In her feature Inside 420: A Culture in Smoke, Phanice Rono — a journalist from Kabarak University currently attached to the Eldoret Media Hub — explores the origins, global evolution, and Kenyan perception of the “420” cannabis culture.
She traces the term’s roots to the 1970s at San Rafael High School in California, where a group of friends known as the Waldos coined “420” as their secret code for meeting to smoke cannabis after school. Over time, the code spread through music and popular culture, becoming a global symbol for marijuana enthusiasts.
Today, April 20th (4/20) is celebrated internationally with concerts, festivals, and advocacy campaigns for legalization and safe cannabis use — especially in countries where marijuana is legal.
In Kenya, however, 420 culture remains underground due to strict laws prohibiting cannabis under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Rono highlights how Kenyan youths mark the day privately, viewing marijuana as a tool for relaxation or stress relief, even as authorities warn of its dangers.
She also contrasts mainstream use with the Rastafarian perspective, where cannabis is regarded as a sacred sacrament used for meditation and spiritual connection rather than recreation.
Rono’s feature paints 420 as more than just a number — it’s a symbol of rebellion, spirituality, and ongoing global debate over legalization, culture, and morality.
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