Crowds of bucket-hat-wearing cannabis smokers have descended on one of London‘s busiest parks to celebrate the annual 420 event and demand that the illegal drug is decriminalised.
Drinks have been thrown at police officers moving in to apprehend cannabis users breaking the law by openly smoking in public.
Marijuana lovers unite for the Hyde Park rally every year on April 20, which is a reference to the term 420, a popular phase among cannabis users that originates from a group of high school students from the 70s.
Cannabis, which is Class B drug in the UK, carries a five-year sentence for possession and a maximum term of 14 years for dealing or producing the illegal drug.
At the gathering in 2022, a shocking brawl broke out among attendees before they were separated by police officers. Ten people were arrested for a range of drug and violent offences.
Drinks have been thrown at police officers moving in to apprehend cannabis users flaunting the law by smoking in public spaces
A man is detained by police in Hyde Park during the April 20 cannabis celebrations. Police said they would intervene in illegal behaviour
Officers move in to seemingly arrest a man in Hyde Park at the 420 day celebrations on Thursday. Cannabis is a Class B drug in the UK
A person is detained by police officers as marijuana enthusiasts mark the informal annual cannabis holiday
People gather in Hyde Park on April 20 to smoke cannabis and support the decriminalisation of the Class B drug
Smokers openly flaunt the law on April 20, lighting up in public and using a range of drug paraphernalia.
The law on cannabis
Cannabis is a Class-B drug in the UK.
Possession carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. A magistrate’s court can fine someone £2,500 for the offence.
Dealing, supplying or producing can land a person in jail for up to 14 years.
It is also illegal to sell drug paraphernalia.
The website Hemp Elf said the event in London today was expected to be a ‘significant gathering’ and that there would be live music.
The website reads: ‘The term 420 has become a symbol of unity and celebration within the cannabis community. It represents a shared understanding and passion for the plant and its potential benefits.
‘By coming together on April 20th, cannabis enthusiasts worldwide show their support for legalisation, responsible use, and ongoing research into the plant’s many applications.’
The maximum punishment for the possession of Cannabis, which is a Class B drug in the UK, is five years in prison. A magistrate’s court can fine people up to £2,500 for the offence.
The prison term for supplying, dealing or producing the drug is harsher, with a maximum sentence of up to 14 years.
The Metropolitan Police said they would be patrolling the park this year to intervene in illegal behaviour and signs have been erected to remind the public not to indulge in recreational drugs in the public space. It is believed some people have been arrested at the event.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: ‘The Met will be policing the cannabis day event in Hyde Park on Thursday, 20 April.
‘There is a proportionate and graduated policing plan in place to prevent, deter and detect criminal offences, including possession and use of drugs, and any associated crime or disorder.
‘Using cannabis and other recreational drugs is illegal. Met officers will engage with attendees, and encourage them to deposit their drugs in the amnesty bins provided.
‘They will particularly be looking to safeguard any children and young people present, especially if they are using drugs, and will ensure they are referred to the relevant partners.’
Two smokers wearing bucket hats decorated with marijuana leaves smoke in Hyde Park on Thursday for 420 day
A smoker uses a bong to ‘light up’. It is a criminal offence to supply an object for providing or preparing a controlled drug – which may include bongs
People enjoy a smoke in the sunshine in Hyde Park during the day to celebrate April 20
A man holds a blow-up bong to his face
Signs have been erected in London’s Hyde Park to remind the public not to indulge in recreational drugs in the public space
Police officers on duty in Hyde Park during the day on April 20, where the Met said they would intervene in illegal behaviour
Police officers challenge suspected cannabis smokers. A police officer can search a person if they have reasonable grounds that they have a controlled suspect
Smokers enjoy a sunny day in Hyde Park for the annual 420 event, protesting the UK’s laws on cannabis
Smokers in Melbourne, Australia, also gathered to celebrate cannabis and to advocate for legalisation
‘Officers may enforce legislation under the Misuse of Drugs act 1971 through Community Resolution Orders, Postal Charge Requisitions and arrest if there are aggravating factors such as supply or associated anti-social behaviour, disorder or crime.’
Advocates of decriminalisation point to cannabis’ weaker potency compared to Class A drugs and its usages in medicine, especially for the relief of pain in those with chronic conditions.
420 takes its name from the American English system of ordering dates. 420 falls annually on 20 April, which would be stylised in the US as 4/20.
As a result, this term is still used today to mark the cannabis-smoking celebrations.
Young men wearing sunglasses partake in the cannabis smoking in London’s Hyde Park on April 20, 2023
A man enjoys what appears to be a spliff in Hyde Park as hundreds of revellers gathered to celebrate 420 day
420 does not just take its name after the event’s date, but also has ties to its roots in California, where it began during the 1970s.
The convention is said to have been created by five Californian high school students – Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz and Mark Gravich.
In 1971, the five students, who attended San Rafael High School, came up with a secret term.
They used the expression ‘420’ to communicate that they would meet later in the day to smoke marijuana.
After exchanging the phrase ‘420’ whilst at school, they would subsequently convene at 4.20pm to smoke cannabis, although it is unclear if the timing actually had anything to do with the naming of the ritual.
The group became known as the ‘Waldos’ because their chosen smoking spot was against a wall, near a statue of the famous chemist Louis Pasteur.
Now in their 60s, the original founders of 420 still meet together to mark the event they inadvertently founded over 50 years ago.
