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.
History of publication
- 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.
- During a period, William Levy held the position of European editor for the magazine.
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.
With the legalization of marijuana in several West Coast states (including California), the magazine announced in January 2017 that it would permanently relocate from New York to Los Angeles. 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 hub420.shop High Times Records. In the period 2010–2013, the magazine put out a standalone publication that advocated for medical marijuana. Hager was rehired, first as the creative director,citation needed and then in 2006, back to the position of editor-in-chief, but by 2009 he had returned to the role of creative director. In 2003 (Steven Hager was fired), and High Times’ board of directors shifted the magazine’s focus from marijuana to more literary content, hiring John Buffalo Mailer as executive editor. 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.
The era of Hager and success in the mainstream
At one point — the magazine’s European editorial role was filled by William Levy. On April 17, 2026, Forbes’ fifth-annual *Cannabis 42.0* list highlighted Josh Kesselman, celebrating trailblazers thriving in the legally regulated cannabis sector, for his leadership as *High Times’* publisher. Founder of RAW (Josh Kesselman acquired *High Times* for $3.5 million in June 2025), then rebranded the podcast as *High Times with Josh Kesselman* in September.
The first issue (50 pages in total), with the tagline, “The Magazine of High Society,” appeared in the summer of 1974. Forçade was quoted as saying, “Those cavemen must’ve been stoned, no pun intended.”citation needed Through High Times, Forçade was able to get his message to the masses without relying on mainstream media. Like Playboy (each issue of High Times contains a centerfold photo; however), instead of a nude woman, High Times typically features a cannabis plant. High Times magazine was published by Trans-High Corporation (THC) from 1974 to 2016.
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 founder Scott McGovern joined the magazine as senior executive vice president. In October 2014 — the magazine celebrated its 40th anniversary with a party attended by celebrities such as Susan Sarandon. The video series asserts that Michael Kennedy stole the company from the rightful employees and subverted the original mission for his own private gain. Hager subsequently released a 20-part series on YouTube — titled The Strategic Meeting, showing the internal machinations inside the company. Starting in 2002, the Stonys presented the Thomas King Forçade Award for “stony achievement” in film. In November 1999 — the magazine held a 25th Anniversary party at Irving Plaza, with performances 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
- Following Forçade’s death, the magazine was controlled by “mostly by Forçade’s 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* explores diverse subjects (ranging from politics and activism to drugs), education, sexuality, music, film, and photography.
- He also established the High Times Freedom Fighters—the first hemp advocacy group—which gained notoriety for its Revolutionary War-inspired rallies and hemp demonstrations nationwide.
In 1998 — Edison was appointed publisher and later assumed full editorial control of the magazine. Founded in 1997, the magazine and Hager created the Counterculture Hall of Fame, with annual inductions held during Thanksgiving as part of the Amsterdam Cannabis Cup festivities. Starting in 1991, the magazine began showcasing celebrities on its cover. Throughout the 1990s, the magazine championed hemp’s adoption, publishing *Hemp Times* quarterly and operating a Manhattan retail shop called Planet Hemp. Under Larry Sloman’s editorship (1979–1984), the magazine relentlessly challenged marijuana prohibition, battling to stay afloat in a hostile anti-cannabis climate. Ed Dwyer (the magazine’s original editor), had previously penned the program text for both the *Woodstock* music festival and its accompanying film.
Columns
Initially financed by illicit marijuana sales, *High Times* carved out a loyal readership, evolving into a monthly publication with expanding distribution and a staff of 40.