As Weed Hits Mainstream, Businesses Brace for 4/20

April 20 isn't just a holiday for stoners: In a world where recreational marijuana is legal in eight states, it's basically the entire Christmas shopping season rolled into a single day for pot businesses. "We're just expecting to get slammed," the owner of a smoking room in Colorado tells CNN. One expert expects to see an increase in business of 30% to 40%, especially as some marijuana retailers are offering discounts of up to 50%. It's no wonder Thursday is being called a "really good time to stock up" for potheads. Here's what else you need to know about 4/20:

• There's a lot of incorrect information floating around about the origin of the term "420." Mental Floss sets us straight, revealing that it started in 1971 with a group of California high-schoolers whose personal slang—referring to the time of day they met up to smoke—caught on with the Grateful Dead.
• But do we really need 4/20 as a rallying point anymore? That's the question Rolling Stone asks as the legalization of weed goes mainstream. Snoop Dogg, for one, says yes, calling it one of his "favorite days."
• Rolling Stone also has a list of the best country songs to play while smoking pot. Willie Nelson obviously makes an appearance.
• With the majority of Americans now believing marijuana should be legal, according to a recent poll, Quartz looks at where in the US you can get high without worry. (Hint: Go west, young pothead.)
• Gizmodo runs an old article explaining the science behind the munchies.
• Finally, the Stranger takes a look at "the booming world of $100,000 bongs." Basically, one could argue that if you're going to spend a small fortune on a piece of art that won't get you high, why not spend it on art that will?

(Read more 420 stories.)