420 friendly graphic

What Does 420 Friendly Mean?

In Featured Content, Travel Tips by coloradohighlife

Here’s what it really means — and why it matters when you’re traveling, dating, or finding a place to stay.


🔥 Quick Answer

“420-friendly” means that cannabis use is welcome, accepted, or allowed in a specific setting — whether it’s a person, place, event, or listing. It’s a common term used in housing ads, dating profiles, Airbnbs, travel guides, and cannabis events to signal that weed is okay.

image shows What Does 420 Friendly Mean?  and four meanings dating rentals events lodging

🌱 Where Did “420” Come From?

It started with a group of California high schoolers in 1971, known as The Waldos — who used “420” as code for meeting after school at 4:20 p.m. to search for a rumored abandoned cannabis crop.

They never found the weed, but the code stuck.

“420” evolved into a secret handshake for stoners and later blew up into a global cannabis symbol. When High Times picked it up in the 1990s, the number 420 became synonymous with weed culture. Over time, the phrase “420-friendly” emerged to describe anyone or anything cool with marijuana use.



Now, it’s in the Oxford English Dictionary, celebrated on April 20th (4/20) every year, and shows up everywhere from dating apps to apartment listings.

AI Rendition of the Group

NOTE – Spaces where you can smoke marijuana are often labeled “420 friendly”, so enjoy.

🏠 What Does “420-Friendly” Mean in Real Life?

Here’s what 420-friendly means depending on where you see it:

🛏 On Airbnb or Lodging Listings

420-friendly means you’re allowed to consume cannabis at the property.
In Colorado, that could mean:

  • Hotels with designated smoking patios
  • Bud & Breakfasts with onsite cannabis activities
  • Vacation rentals that allow indoor vape use or edibles

✅ Pro Tip: Always ask if smoking, vaping, or edibles are allowed — policies vary.


💕 On Dating Apps & Personal Ads

Swipe right if you see it:
If someone lists themselves as 420-friendly, they’re either a cannabis user or are comfortable around it. On apps like Tinder, Bumble, or OkCupid, this tag helps weed out (pun intended) those who wouldn’t be okay dating a pot smoker.

image that says make sure your partner is 420 friendly

✈️ Travel, Tours, and Events

Planning a Colorado weed vacation? Look for the 420-friendly label on:

  • Cannabis tours (think grow ops, lounges, puff & paint)
  • Events like 420 on the Rocks or Colorado 420 Fest
  • Transportation options that allow consumption onboard

🎉 In Colorado, 420-friendly means social clubs, weed yoga, cannabis cooking classes, and more. You’ll see the term across tourism experiences that blend marijuana with local culture.


🎮 In Gaming & Online Communities

In Discord servers and Reddit threads, 420-friendly tags mean the group is chill with weed talk — or that the members themselves enjoy cannabis. Especially common in gaming communities, where weed culture overlaps with casual social spaces.


👯‍♂️ Roommate Listings (Craigslist, Facebook, etc.)

“420-friendly” in housing ads usually means you can smoke or consume cannabis at home.
It also signals that the roommates are likely regular users themselves — so no need to hide your bong in the closet.


finding a 420 friendly roommate image

💡 Why People Use the Term

“420-friendly” is a low-key, nonjudgmental way to let people know that cannabis is part of the picture — without being too in-your-face.

It helps avoid awkward moments, especially in:

  • Shared living situations
  • First dates
  • Travel bookings
  • Event invites

🤓 420-Friendly vs 710-Friendly: What’s the Difference?

  • 420-friendly = Accepts smoking or consuming cannabis
  • 710-friendly = Accepts concentrates (like dabs, oil, wax).
    (Fun fact: 710 flipped upside down spells “OIL.”)

📍Colorado and 420 Culture

Colorado was one of the first states to legalize recreational weed, and the phrase “420-friendly” is everywhere here.

From Denver to Durango, you’ll find:

  • Hotels that allow vaporizing in-room
  • Cannabis lounges with dab rigs and chill vibes
  • Tours where you can toke on the bus
  • Events built around cannabis-friendly communities

If you’re visiting or moving to Colorado, “420-friendly” is your green light.

people smoking cannabis on a tour bus in colorado

🙋‍♂️ FAQ

What does “420-friendly” mean in a hotel listing?

It means the hotel allows cannabis use — but always double-check if it’s just vaping or full smoking allowed.

Is 420-friendly legal?

Yes, in states like Colorado — but only where cannabis is legalized. Some listings may allow consumption but still follow local regulations (e.g., no smoking indoors).

Can you be 420-friendly but not use cannabis?

Absolutely. It simply means you’re cool with others using it, not that you’re a user yourself.


✌️ Final Word

“420-friendly” is more than a phrase — it’s a cultural signal.
Whether you’re traveling, dating, renting, or just vibing, it’s a way to say:
Cannabis is welcome here.

As marijuana becomes more mainstream, expect to see this term even more — especially in Colorado, where being 420-friendly isn’t just accepted… it’s celebrated.