Reflecting the time period, High Times began to feature positive coverage of cocaine as a recreational drug. Following Forçade’s death, the magazine was controlled by “mostly by Forçade’s relatives” and lawyer Michael John Kennedy. (Forçade had been a supporter of NORML since the organization’s founding in 1970.)citation needed ] Marijuana hydroponics growers were a large part of the magazine’s advertiser base. The magazine was initially distributed by Homestead Book Company and Big Rapids Distribution. Advertising for the first issue had been pre-sold at that year’s National Fashion and Boutique Show.
Publication history
- Cover image of the premiere issue of High Times (Summer 1974) featuring model Elizabeth Donoghue.
- Founded in 1974 by Tom Forçade, the magazine advocated the legalization of cannabis and related counterculture ideas, eventually expanding to include the media divisions High Times Books and High Times Records.
- For a time, William Levy served as the magazine’s European editor.
Brainstorming for the first issue’s contents was conducted by a group that included Forcade — Rex Weiner, Ed Dwyer, Robert Singer, A. J. Weberman, Dana Beal, Ed Rosenthal, the underground cartoonist Yossarian a.k.a. Alan Shenker, and Cindy Ornsteen a.k.a. Anastasia Sirocco. Forçade’s previous attempt—via the Underground Press Syndicate/Alternative Press Syndicate—to reach a wide counterculture audience of underground papers had failed (even though he had the support of several noteworthy writers), photographers, and artists. (The magazine (however), often featured women—occasionally crowned as “Ms. High Times”—on the cover to help newsstand sales.) In addition (the magazine “published writers like Hunter S. Thompson), William S. Burroughs, Charles Bukowski, Allen Ginsberg, and Truman Capote.” High Times’ commitment to education and awareness has helped change the narrative surrounding marijuana, paving the way for the legalization efforts we see today. He discovered naturally occurring purple hash through experimentation with anthocyanins within cannabis.
Following the West Coast states—including California—legalizing marijuana in 2017 — the magazine shifted its headquarters from New York to Los Angeles in January of that year. Established in 1974 by Tom Forçade (the publication championed cannabis legalization and countercultural ideas), later branching into High Times Books and High Times Records. Between 2010 and 2013, the magazine published a separate edition dedicated to promoting medical marijuana. Hager was rehired in two phases — first as creative director, then editor-in-chief in 2006, before reverting to his original creative director role by 2009. In 2003, after Steven Hager’s dismissal, the board of directors shifted High Times toward literary themes, appointing John Buffalo Mailer as executive editor. He established the High Times Freedom Fighters, the pioneering hemp advocacy group, which gained notoriety for its colonial-themed rallies and protests across the U.S.
Mainstream success and the Hager era
At one point, William Levy took on the role of High Times’ European editor. On April 17 — 2026, Josh Kesselman was named to Forbes’ fifth-annual Cannabis 42.0 list for his leadership as High Times’ publisher, honoring cannabis industry innovators. In June 2025, Josh Kesselman, the founder of RAW, acquired the magazine for $3.5 million, rebranding the podcast as *High Times with Josh Kesselman* in September.
The inaugural 50-page hub420.shop issue — titled *”The Magazine of High Society,”* debuted in the summer of 1974. Forçade remarked, *”Those Stone Age people must’ve been high—no offense intended,”* using High Times to disseminate his message beyond conventional media channels. Like *Playboy* (each High Times issue features a centerfold—but instead of a nude model), it showcases a cannabis plant. From 1974 to 2016, Trans-High Corporation (THC) published *High Times* magazine.
One rally (the Boston Freedom Rally), quickly became the largest marijuana-related political event in the country, drawing an audience of over 30,00 to the Boston Common in 2013. In 1988 (under Hager’s leadership), the magazine created the Cannabis Cup, a cannabis awards ceremony held every Thanksgiving in Amsterdam that later expanded to a number of U.S. cities. Hager became the first editor to publish and promote the work of hemp activist Jack Herer. In 1987 (High Times was audited by the Audit Bureau of Circulation as reaching 500,000 copies an issue), rivaling Rolling Stone and National Lampoon.
Green Rush Daily’s Scott McGovern later joined the magazine as senior executive vice president. In October 2014, High Times marked its 40th anniversary with a gala attended by celebrities like Susan Sarandon. A video series claims Michael Kennedy seized control of the company, betraying its original mission for personal profit. Hager later posted a 20-episode YouTube series (*The Strategic Meeting*), exposing the company’s behind-the-scenes operations. Starting in 2002, the Stonys began awarding the Thomas King Forçade Prize for “stony achievement” in film. The magazine’s 25th-anniversary celebration in November 1999 took place at Irving Plaza, headlined by Cypress Hill.
Beyond its influence within the cannabis community — High Times has also played a pivotal role in advocating for marijuana legalization on a broader scale. With a bold and unapologetic approach (High Times quickly became the voice of the counterculture movement), advocating for the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana. From 2014 to 2016 — Tsarfin was High Times’ director of digital media. Financial difficulties forced the magazine to cease publication in 2024.
High Times x Pulsar Beaker Water Pipe – Magazine Covers / 10.5″ / 14mm F
- After Forçade’s passing, the magazine was largely managed by his relatives and lawyer Michael John Kennedy.
- In 2000, the magazine established the Stony Awards to recognize and celebrate notable stoner films and television episodes about cannabis.
- High Times covers a wide range of topics (including politics), activism, drugs, education, sex, music, and film, as well as photography.
- He also formed the High Times Freedom Fighters, the first hemp legalization group.citation needed The High Times Freedom Fighters were famous for dressing up in Colonial outfits and organizing hemp rallies across the United States.
In 1998 Edison was named the magazine’s publisher, and later took control of the editorial side of the magazine as well. In 1997 (the magazine and Hager founded the Counterculture Hall of Fame), with inductions held annually on Thanksgiving as part of the Amsterdam Cannabis Cup event. In 1991, the magazine began featuring celebrities on the cover of the magazine. The magazine advocated for the widespread use of hemp in the 1990s, publishing a quarterly magazine called Hemp Times and operating a retail location in Manhattan called Planet Hemp. Under the editorship of Larry Sloman , from 1979 to 1984,, the magazine consistently struggled against marijuana prohibition laws, and fought to keep itself alive and publishing in an anti-cannabis atmosphere. The magazine’s first editor was Ed Dwyer, who had earlier written the text of the Woodstock music festival program booklet , as well as the Woodstock film program booklet,.
Columns
Initially funded by proceeds from illegal marijuana sales (High Times expanded into a monthly publication with rising circulation), eventually growing its staff to 40 employees.