When DOPE Magazine first appeared on coffee tables and dispensary counters, it stood for more than a four-letter slang word. The name was an acronym: Defending Our Plant Everywhere. It was a promise that cannabis media could be stylish, funny and beautiful while still grounded in a simple idea: we owe something back to the plant and the people who paid the highest price for it.
Years later, DOPE became part of the High Times family, joining a portfolio that includes decades of Cannabis Cup history and some of the most iconic reporting, photography and storytelling the culture has ever seen. High Times acquired DOPE Media in 2018, adding its magazine, digital platforms and events to a growing media network.
Now DOPE is switching back on in a new way.
DOPE will officially activate at the High Times Cannabis Cup New York as part of the event’s programming, including the debut of The DOPE Award.
High Times is introducing The DOPE Award, a special honor that will debut at the High Times Cannabis Cup New York. The award will recognize one person whose work for cannabis justice, culture and community makes the industry feel worthy of everything this plant has survived.
The honoree will be announced live during the High Times Cannabis Cup New York in January 2026.
What the DOPE Award stands for
The DOPE Award is not a popularity contest. It is not a trophy for whoever has the biggest company or the loudest brand voice.
The Cup already has trophies for flower, concentrates, edibles and all the lab-tested magic in between. The DOPE Award focuses on something else: the human beings who carry the weight of this movement on their shoulders, often with very little spotlight.
The criteria are simple and demanding:
– Real impact on people whose lives …
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Author: High Times / High Times
