Moms Talk Q&A: Talking About 420

The term 420 refers to the consumption of cannabis. The date 4/20 evolved into the international holiday, Weed Day, when smokers gather to consume and celebrate cannabis. Some events are political, advocating the decriminalization of medicinal marijuana.

The origin of the term is widely debated. Some say it's the number of chemicals in cannabis, others point to a flier at a Grateful Dead concert calling for a smoke-out on 4/20 at 4:20 pm. The most common belief is that a group of San Rafael high school students called the Waldos met at 4:20 in p.m. to search for an abandoned cannabis crop back in 1971.

The term officially entered mainstream culture in 2003, when the California Legislature named the medical marijuana bill SB420. have been a hot topic at recent Benicia City Council meetings.

Regardless of the source, teens know what 420 means. Most parents agree that smoking pot is not healthy for growing kids. What do you say to your teens to convince them not to try marijuana?

For parents who are users, do you let your kids know that you get high and how do you justify it?

Although the distribution and use of marijuana is illegal unless users have a medicinal card, teens have easy access to it. Peer pressure may be a factor, but it might just be plain youthful curiosity and the search for a fun time.