- Easter Sunday and the unofficial marijuana holiday, 4/20, coincide in 2025.
- The last time these two holidays fell on the same date was 2014, and the next occurrence will be in 2087.
- While recreational marijuana remains illegal in Mississippi, medical marijuana is permitted. Low-THC, intoxicating hemp products are sold in stores.
- The origins of 4/20 are debated, with the most likely explanation involving a group of California high school friends in the 1970s.
Check the Easter grass. Some bunny has marijuana.
This year, Easter Sunday falls on 4/20, an unofficial holiday beloved by weed smokers. The two events aren’t related, but some people might celebrate both.
Here’s what to know about the holidays, whether weed is legal in Mississippi, the last time these holidays synced up and when it will happen again.
When is Easter 2025?
Most Christians, including Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox Christians will celebrate Easter 2025 on Sunday, April 20.
While many denominations use the Gregorian calendar, the Eastern Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar. The groups won’t share the same dates again until 2028, according to Greek City Times.
Why do people celebrate Easter?
Christians believe that Jesus of Nazareth died by crucifixion on Good Friday. Easter is a Christian religious holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his death.
Why is Easter late some years and early in others?
On the Gregorian calendar, Easter is determined by the Sunday after the first full moon that follows the Spring Equinox.
What is 4/20? What does it have to do with weed?
The story behind how 4/20 became the unofficial marijuana holiday remains murky, but there are a few popular theories.
Some believe the holiday is representative of “420,” a radio code that has been used for police to indicate marijuana. Others tie the “holiday” to Bob Dylan’s song “Rain Day Women #12 & 35,” with its refrain, “Everybody must get stoned” and the product of multiplying 12 by 35 is 420, according to PBS.
The most likely story though, is one that centers around a group of California high school friends in the 1970s.
According to PBS, a brother of one of these friends allegedly grew marijuana in the woods near the school and was paranoid about being caught. He drew up a map of where to find the marijuana and gave it to the friend group to harvest.
One day during the 1971 fall semester, at precisely 4:20 p.m., the friends smoked a joint and headed out to the woods, looking for the stash. Though they were never able to find it, their code “420,” caught on, as the friend group hung around the Grateful Dead a fair amount, according to PBS.
And despite what some people think, no, Bob Marley wasn’t born on April 20. He was born on Feb. 6, 1945. And he didn’t die on 4/20 either. That was on May 11, 1981, at the age of 36.
Has 4/20 landed on Easter Sunday before?
Yes, the unofficial marijuana holiday has landed on Easter Sunday before. Since 2000, the two “holidays” lined up in 2003 and 2014.
When will 4/20 and Easter fall on the same day again?
The next time 4/20 and Easter Sunday land on the same day is in 2087, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Is weed legal in Mississippi? What about THC?
Not for recreational purposes.
According to DISA Global Solutions, marijuana is only legal for medical purchase and consumption in Mississippi.
In the most recent legislative session, Mississippi lawmakers avoided passing a ban on hemp products. The state allows the sale of drinks with low levels of THC, the part of cannabis that gives a high or buzz. Intoxicating hemp products will stay on store shelves, and there’s no age regulation for who can buy the products.
When is Holy Week 2025?
Holy Week started with Palm Sunday on April 13.
Holy Wednesday – also called Spy Wednesday – was just before the Triduum.
The Holy Week Triduum includes:
- Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday.
- Good Friday.
- Holy Saturday.
Is Good Friday a public holiday?
No, Good Friday is not a state holiday in Mississippi. The next one coming up will be Confederate Memorial Day on the last Monday in April, according to the Mississippi Departments of Finance and Administration.
It’s also not a federal holiday, per a calendar from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Check with your workplace and your child’s school calendars to see if Good Friday will be a day off for you or your family.
Contributing: Grant McLaughlin, Chris Sims, Marina Johnson and John Tufts
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
