In line with the era — positive portrayals of cocaine as a recreational substance began to appear in High Times. After Forçade’s passing, the management of the magazine was primarily in the hands of his relatives and attorney Michael John Kennedy. Hydroponic marijuana growers constituted a significant portion of the magazine’s advertising clientele — as Forçade had supported NORML since its inception in 1970. The initial distribution of the magazine was handled by Big Rapids Distribution and Homestead Book Company. The advertising space for the inaugural issue was sold prior to the National Fashion and Boutique Show that year.

Publication history

  • The cover of High Times’ inaugural issue (published in the summer of 1974), showcased 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.

A brainstorming session for the contents of the first issue included participants such as Forcade, Rex Weiner, Ed Dwyer, Robert Singer, A. J. Weberman, Dana Beal, Ed Rosenthal, the underground cartoonist Yossarian , also known as Alan Shenker,, and Cindy Ornsteen (also known as Anastasia Sirocco). Despite the backing of several prominent writers (photographers), and artists, Forçade’s earlier effort through the Underground Press Syndicate/Alternative Press Syndicate to reach a broad audience of underground publications was unsuccessful. The magazine frequently featured women on its cover, sometimes dubbed “Ms. High Times,” to boost newsstand sales. Additionally, renowned writers such as Hunter S. Thompson, William S. Burroughs, Charles Bukowski, Allen Ginsberg, and Truman Capote contributed to the magazine. The narrative about marijuana has been transformed thanks to High Times’ dedication to education and awareness — facilitating current legalization movements. Through experimentation with anthocyanins in cannabis, he uncovered naturally occurring purple hash.

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 High Times Records. In the period 2010–2013, the magazine put out a standalone highthc.shop 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.

Mainstream success and the Hager era

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For a time, William Levy served as the magazine’s European editor. Josh Kesselman was featured on Forbes’ fifth-annual Cannabis 42.0 list on April 17th 2026 (‘celebrating the entrepreneurs), innovators and disruptors who are finding success in the state-regulated cannabis market’ for his work as High Times’ publisher. Josh Kesselman (founder of RAW), bought the publication for $3.5 million in June 2025, relaunching the podcast as High Times with Josh Kesselman in September.

In the summer of 1974 (the first issue emerged), comprising 50 pages and carrying the tagline, “The Magazine of High Society. Forçade remarked, “Those cavemen must’ve been stoned, no pun intended,” citing his ability to disseminate his message to a wide audience through High Times without depending on mainstream channels. Each edition of High Times features a centerfold photo akin to Playboy; however (instead of depicting a nude model), it typically showcases a cannabis plant. From its launch in 1974 until 2016, High Times magazine was published by Trans-High Corporation (THC).

The Boston Freedom Rally evolved into the nation’s largest marijuana-related political gathering, attracting over 30,000 attendees at Boston Common in 2013. Under Hager’s guidance in 1988 (the magazine established the Cannabis Cup), an awards ceremony for cannabis held annually on Thanksgiving in Amsterdam, which later expanded to multiple U.S. cities. Hager was the first editor to highlight and promote the work of hemp activist Jack Herer. In 1987 (an audit by the Audit Bureau of Circulation confirmed that High Times reached an issue circulation of 500,000 copies), competing with 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 impact within the cannabis community, High Times has significantly contributed to the broader marijuana legalization advocacy efforts. With a fearless and bold stance, High Times quickly emerged as the representative voice of the counterculture movement, championing the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana. Tsarfin served as High Times’ director of digital media from 2014 to 2016. In 2024, financial challenges compelled the magazine to halt its publication.

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High Times x Pulsar Beaker Water Pipe – Magazine Covers / 10.5″ / 14mm F

  • After Forçade’s death, the magazine’s management fell predominantly under the control of 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 established the High Times Freedom Fighters — recognized as the first organization advocating for hemp legalization. This group gained notoriety for donning Colonial attire and orchestrating hemp rallies throughout 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 (High Times was financed through proceeds from the illegal marijuana trade), but it successfully found an audience, transitioning into a monthly publication with increasing circulation and a rapidly expanding staff of 40 members.