San Francisco 420 event canceled at Hippie Hill

Written by KTVU staff

SAN FRANCISCO, (FOX-35)-  In a surprise announcement Tuesday, less than a month away from the event, organizers of the annual 420 Hippie Hill event in Golden Gate Park will not be happening as planned this year.

The reasons given, according to the group's website: Citywide budget cutbacks, the climate of the cannabis industry and the economy.

"We have been unable to secure enough financial sponsorship to get everything required for a safe, clean, city & state-compliant event," the group posted, promising to return next year.

The wild party is usually held on April 20 when teens in Marin County known as 'The Waldos' got together to smoke marijuana after school at 4:20 p.m. 

San Francisco calls it the largest free cannabis event in the state.

Last year, 20,000 people packed Golden Gate Park.

Over the years, San Francisco began somewhat reluctantly embracing the event, which started as an unsanctioned party. 

But with the city's involvement also came more control, cleanliness and cost. Last year, the event included 100 security guards and more than 150 portable toilets, a cleanup crew and extra patrol officers. 

The high holiday has taken a hiatus before.

The 4/20 celebrations were also canceled for two years in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID.