For nearly five decades, High Times stood as the unapologetic voice of cannabis counterculture. More than just a magazine, it was a platform that elevated music, politics, psychedelics, activism, and the plant itself. It was a symbol of rebellion, freedom, and community. Then came the spectacular fall, the kind that made it feel like High Times might be gone for good. Until now.
Today, High Times returns under new ownership, new leadership, and a renewed purpose. RAW Rolling Papers founder Josh Kesselman, a lifelong reader and supporter of the brand, has taken the lead in acquiring the core assets of High Times, including the magazine, the Cannabis Cup, and its affiliated media properties. Alongside him is Matt Stang, a former High Times executive and co-owner and longtime cultural operator who helped build the Cannabis Cup into a global institution. Their plan: restore the soul of a brand that shaped generations, and set a new course rooted in the values that first built it.
“I get to bring back a piece of history that has played such an important part in culture and impacted so many lives, including my own,” Kesselman said. “This feels like a dream.”
But the dream comes with real work. And a complicated inheritance.
High Times’ recent history has been anything but stable. After its 2017 acquisition by an investor group led by Adam Levin, the brand shifted its focus to aggressive expansion, launching an investor crowdfund, pursuing a public offering, and acquiring retail cannabis businesses across the U.S.
The pitch was seductive: own a piece of the world’s most iconic cannabis brand. Over 20,000 investors bought in. Many never got shares. Few got answers. And when High Times missed SEC filing deadlines and continued to accept investments, it triggered investigations. In 2023, Levin was charged with securities …
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Author: High Times / High Times
