April 20th, commonly known as 4/20, has evolved from an underground counterculture reference to a significant day of activism, public demonstration, and policy advocacy for cannabis legalization. While its origins trace back to a group of California high school students in the 1970s who used “420” as a code for smoking marijuana, the date has since grown into a powerful symbol in the fight for cannabis reform.

Public demonstrations and rallies held on 4/20 have historically provided a platform for advocates to voice their support for cannabis legalization. These events, often drawing thousands of participants, bring attention to issues such as criminal justice reform, medical marijuana access, and economic opportunities tied to cannabis industries. Cities like Denver, San Francisco, and Vancouver have become hubs for these celebrations, where activists push for policy changes alongside festivities.

The impact of 4/20 on legislative progress is evident. Colorado and Washington, both of which have hosted large-scale 4/20 events, were among the first states to legalize recreational cannabis in 2012. According to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey, 91% of Americans supported some form of cannabis legalization, a stark contrast to the 31% approval rating in 2000. This shift in public opinion has coincided with increasing legislative action, with over 20 states legalizing recreational cannabis as of 2025.

Economic factors have also played a role in the push for legalization. The legal cannabis industry generated over $33 billion in sales in the U.S. in 2023, according to a report from BDSA, a cannabis market research firm. Additionally, tax revenues from legal marijuana sales have funded public programs, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure. States like California, which collected over $1 billion in cannabis tax revenue in 2021 alone, demonstrate the financial incentives of legalization efforts.

Beyond economic benefits, 4/20 has also spotlighted the social justice aspect of cannabis reform. Advocates highlight the racial disparities in marijuana-related arrests, with Black Americans being 3.6 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white Americans, despite similar usage rates, according to a 2020 ACLU report. These disparities have fueled calls for expungement programs and criminal justice reforms as part of broader legalization efforts.

The role of 4/20 in shaping cannabis policy underscores the power of grassroots movements in effecting legislative change. What began as an informal celebration has become a nationwide call to action, influencing public sentiment and lawmakers alike. As more states move toward legalization and federal reform discussions continue, 4/20 remains a crucial date for advocacy, awareness, and policy progress in the cannabis movement.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk's losing streak continued on Wednesday.

Hours after Republicans in Wisconsin lost a state Supreme Court race in Wisconsin where Musk spent tens of millions of dollars of his own money, shares of his flagship electric car company fell upon news that it had badly missed Wall Street estimates for the number of vehicles it had delivered in the first quarter of 2025.

As reported by Market Watch, Tesla revealed that "it delivered more than 336,000 vehicles during the first quarter, down from 387,000 deliveries a year ago."

To put this number into context, Market Watch notes that it "was well below the average analyst estimate compiled by FactSet of 404,000 vehicles" and it "was also lower than the 'whisper' number, or what Wall Street was quietly expecting, with even the most bullish analyst projecting a number in the 360,000 range."

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Although Tesla blamed the disappointing deliveries on what Market Watch describes as "the changeover to refreshed Model Y production lines" that "led to several weeks of lost production," it's also a reality that the company has been the target of a concerted boycott campaign led by progressive groups to protest Musk's role as the head of President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency.

Sales of Tesla in Europe have fallen off a cliff in recent months, as car buyers on that continent have revolted against Musk's support for far-right political parties such as Germany's Alternative für Deutschland.