Josh Kesselman’s big plans for High Times
ALEX HALPERIN
THE BIG IDEA
Hi all,
Hope you’re getting in some well-deserved rest. The weed news never stops tho.
In the newsletter:
- Josh Kesselman on the future of High Times
Read up,
Alex
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RAW rolling paper magnate and High Times‘ new owner Josh Kesselman has serious journalistic ambitions for the iconic media brand.
In an interview with Columbia Journalism Review he harked back to the seminal counterculture writers High Times has published in the past:
“We’re looking at people like Hunter S. Thompson, William S. Burroughs, Andrew Weil, Charles Bukowski, Allen Ginsberg, Timothy Leary, who have all written for High Times in the past. The foundation of High Times is this elevation of human consciousness. It’s about journalism, where you’re taking the reader on a trip.
My overarching goal is these beautiful journalistic journeys, these articles that will change people forever.”
And he has a business plan:
I fully do not believe we will make any money on this whatsoever. This is not about making money. At least it shouldn’t be. The goal of High Times right now is to break even. It needs to break even so that it can continue on long after I’m gone. High Times is a very popular name, like it has a lot of standing. I used to have the cool, you know, tie-dye High Times T-shirts and the hats, and I would go to the Cannabis Cups, and all that is licensing. My goal is to generate enough from licensing to fund the journalism.
- This week HT called our current moment the post-Green Rush quiet era.
QUICK HITS
Federal:
- Trump said he would make a decision on rescheduling in coming weeks. The news came out of a $1M-a-plate fundraiser attended by Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers at Trump’s New Jersey Club. MJBiz dives into Trump’s record on weed and what a move to schedule III would mean for the industry. Axios discusses how Trump is making pot a MAGA issue.
Politico - Meanwhile the DEA’s new legalization-skeptic boss Terry Cole has a new assignment as Washington D.C.’s emergency police commissioner. Interesting times.
AP - The administration also asked the Supreme Court to uphold the ban on cannabis user owning guns.
Marijuana Moment
Business:
- In a decision expected to be felt widely by social equity programs, a federal judge ruled New York’s prioritization of in-state licensees is unconstitutional. In particular, he determined the state couldn’t prioritize New Yorkers with previous convictions over out-of-staters with previous convictions. Canna Law Blog has more. Separately, New York City shops won’t be able to revive their suit in favor of crackdowns on unlicensed shops.
NY Times, Law360 - California operator Glass House slashed its earnings guidance following federal raids in July. An arrested worker said the experience was “a living nightmare.“
Cultivated, WeedWeek, Reuters - HR company Würk announced a strategic partnership with insurance company Symphony Grow.
- Business Insider reports hemp drinks are “fizzling out,” at least temporarily, due to regulatory issues.
- Cartoonist Brian “Box” Brown shared his take on the Metrc/BioTrack partnership.
GreenState - Drinkmaker Uncle Arnie’s raised a $7.5M Series A.
- Virgin Atlantic’s CEO denied drinkmaker Drippy’s video claim that the airline would start serving its hemp beverages.
Marijuana Moment - “Belly up” MSO 4Front Ventures is selling off three Chicago area shops and a big grow. Meanwhile a well-connected Chicago family is doing well in the state.
Crain’s Chicago - Marijuana Venture editor Garrett Rudolph has been tracking the magazine’s AR debt.
- Consumer review site Budist is partnering with MJBiz on the MJBowl, a bi-coastal competition celebrating the best of New York and California product.
- Fewer Americans are drinking than ever before, a new Gallup poll found.
NY Times
State and local:
- Hemp is caught in the crosshairs of Texas’ redistricting fight.
- Minnesota made lawyer Eric Taubel’s position as the state’s top regulator permanent.
Minnesota Reformer - Oklahoma regulators ordered Greenleaf Labs to cease operations after determining it mis-tested thousands of samples.
KOCO - New Jersey is launching a lab probe investigation following a significant spike in potency.
MJBiz - A Massachusetts Sheriff was charged with extorting a pot shop.
- Massachusetts muckraker Grant Smith Ellis discussed a big document drop.
Talking Joints Memo - A Michigan vape recall targeted an additive associated with the deadly 2019 vape crisis.
MLive - As Michigan sheds licenses, a pot shop owner has a new “dispensary rescue” TV show.
Crain’s Detroit Business
Psychedelics:
- Former Texas Gov. and U.S. Energy Secretary during Trump’s first term Rick Perry has dedicated his life to promoting the psychedelic ibogaine.
Fun and interesting:
- Humboldt Standard had to bring in the cranes for this latest harvest of Pusian Pang.
CALIFORNIA HITS
State:
- Weedmaps general counsel Brian Camire editorialized in favor of tax-cut bill AB 564.
Business:
- Meet Micah Anderson, CEO of huge new Santa Barbara Co grower and MSO Leef Brands.
SFGate - National Geographic recognized Raw Garden as a leader in clean cannabis.
- The LA Daily News editorializes that city hall has the city’s industry in dire straits. California City News reports on the crisis.
Local:
- A Santa Barbara Co. farm near Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Montecito home, was denied a license to become a 24-hour workplace.
Noozhawk, Express (U.K.) - Catalyst opened its 33rd shop on Long Beach’s Retro Row.
- A Big Bear church allegedly hosted an illegal psychedelic mushroom business.
LA Times - Stockton canceled its retail lottery after only Embarc was declared eligible.
- Deep in Trinity Co., Hayfork is promoting itself as a cannabis and adventure forward destination.
