crimes and misdemeanors

Multiple States Forced to Replace 420 Mile Markers With 419.9

In this Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015 photo, vehicles pass a 419.9 milepost just south of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Idaho joined Colorado in replacing milepost 420 signs with milepost 419.9 designations in an effort to thwart thievery. (Kathy Plonka/The Spokesman-Review via AP) COEUR D'ALENE PRESS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT
Photo: Kathy Plonka/The Spokesman-Review via AP

In a story published at 4:20 p.m. this afternoon, the Associated Press reported that Idaho officials recently had to swap out the state’s “Mile 420” signs because people kept stealing them. Now, if you drive along U.S. Highway 95 south of Coeur d’Alene, you’ll find mile markers that read 419.9 instead. Several other states that extend long enough to have mile markers that reach 420 have started memorializing the underappreciated mile 419.9. These states just happen to have legalized marijuana recently. 

Washington replaced one of its 420 mile markers; the other one is currently missing, according to the Spokesman-Review. Colorado changed its mile markers to read 419.99 last year, and people have stopped stealing the signs to decorate their dorm rooms or shrines to getting high. It was the second sign the state was forced to redesign; Colorado also adopted a “Mile 68.5” sign after people kept stealing the one that read “69.”

States Replace 420 Mile Markers With 419.9