Idaho transportation officials replaced the 420 sign with 419.9 signs to hinder potheads from repeatedly stealing the sign. Idaho is the not the only state that encounters this dilemma. Washington and Colorado have already replaced their 420 signs with 419.9 after experiencing several thefts presumed to be carrie dout by stoners, Associated Press reported.
Idaho Transportation Department's Adam Rush says that authorities have replaced the sign with "MILE 419.9" located along the U.S. highway, in the southern part of Coeur d'Alene.
Rush says this is a single sign that was replaced in Idaho, which is a state known for its strict laws against marijuana, even though the states around it have casual supervision over the consumption of the plant.
"Having a sign removed from a highway is pretty rare," he said. "In Idaho, people will shoot at them or write on them before stealing them completely. We spend more time mending signs than replacing them," according to Fox News.
The giggle-inducing 420 was replaced rather than removed because these signs are essential especially for people who are traveling.
There are two highways in Washington that used to have 420 signposts. Spokeswoman Barbara LaBoe of Washington state said thieves have been constantly stealing the signs urging them to replace them. Thieving stopped three years ago when the state officials replaced one of those signs with a 419.9 mile marker along Highway 20 which is near Idaho. However, the other one is still missing. LaBoe said they do not have plans of putting another one yet.
The number 420 has long been associated with the cannabis culture since the 70s. The reason as to why 420 equates to pot is still unclear and haven't been proven yet, said on US News.
