Cannabis is a growing business, both in what the industry entails and in the manner it has recently boomed. It’s also one where ignorance is highly detrimental – no, marijuana won’t land you in rehab and, no, pot isn’t a gateway to anything but the vending machine. With so much interest in marijuana, entrepreneurs have worked hard to meet the needs of those hoping to learn about the leaf. One way they’ve done this is by starting magazines.
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Not all marijuana magazines are recent endeavors – some go back decades. But each is worthy of a glimpse
These are a great read for anyone on any cannabis level, no matter if you majored in marijuana in college or you don’t know a pothead from Jughead Jones. And, yes, I’ve totally been watching Riverdale on the CW.
Cannabis Magazines for News and Information
Cannabis Business Times: Based in Arlington, VA, Cannabis Business Times aims to accelerate the acceptance and the success of the recreational and medical market. Like the name suggests, it focuses on the commerce side of marijuana and provides information for business owners, growers, budtenders, and anyone else interested in checks and balances for their indicas and sativas. Its goal is to provide readers with timely information that helps them make profitable, worthwhile decisions.
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Fun fact: One of the co-founders, Noelle Skodzinski, is among the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Cannabis. She had an accomplished career in publishing before starting Cannabis Business Times in 2014 with the previous owner, Tim Hermes.
High Times: The most well-known marijuana magazine, High Times is to cannabis what “lamb gives birth to human” is to supermarket tabloids. Since 1974, it’s been providing readers with news that touches on all aspects of the industry. It publishes music reviews, growing tips, and a ![Marijuana_Articles CANNABIS MAGAZINES]()
push for marijuana legalization. It has also featured contributions by famous writers like Hunter S. Thompson and Truman Capote.
It was never intended to take off, though; rather, it was a joke originally, a parody of Playboy that switched out sex for pot. But then it found an audience and the rest is history.
Fun Fact: Tommy Chong has been on the cover of High Times more than anyone else. He holds the record with eight appearances. His first one was back in April of 1980 with Cheech Martin…of course.
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420 Magazine: It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what 420 Magazine is about: yep, the time! Okay, pot. The main crux of this magazine is to advocate for the repeal cannabis prohibition laws and those affected by their archaic penalties. They do this by publishing information on the benefits of the cannabis plant and using scientific and anecdotal evidence to prove its worth. Their mission statement, in part, is as follows:
“We believe each human has the right to consume a plant in his or her own body, government should repeal all laws violating this right and those incarcerated from cannabis offenses should be set free.”
420 also advocates for farmers to profit from industrial hemp and in hemp’s potential to end oil wars, deforestation, pollution, and global warming.
Fun Fact: The 420 site provides links to several outside sources, including lawyers who specialize in helping those accused or convicted of cannabis crimes. These legal professionals are searchable by state.
Cannabis Now: Cannabis Now publishes articles relevant to present-day marijuana happenings. It focuses on news, politics, legislation, economic trends, medical information, horticultural innovations, and the changing of minds and behaviors. Many of the articles are practical, with stories on how CBD can aid anxiety, but others are made for entertainment – instructions on how to smoke up with your cat: you enjoy weed while they enjoy catnip.
It’s published every other month and distributed at Hudson News stores (inside most airports), Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, Kroger, as well as dispensaries, smoke shops, and local bookstores. It was the first cannabis-related magazine available on iTunes, too.
Fun Fact: In an interview published on the Mr. Magazine website, the founder of Cannabis Now, Eugenio Garcia described his “aha” moment as the time he realized the need for a medical cannabis journal in the Rocky Mountain region. So, he started one.
Skunk Magazine: Skunk Magazine publishes content about cannabis, as well as news about the drug war. It showcases articles about growing weed, its legalization, drug tests, recreational use, and a great amount of information on its medical abilities.
While it calls itself irreverent, it’s not satirical or a humor rag – the articles aim to entertain and inform.
Fun Fact: Though it certainly focuses on cannabis, it occasionally discusses other illegal drugs for anyone interested.
Marijuana Venture: Marijuana Venture is a B2B trade publication and the only one of its kind in circulation. It hires attorneys, accountants, and other professionals to write articles that help business owners and ![News_Stand, CANNABIS MAGAZINES]()
industry worker navigate the world of legalization. It focuses on articles that teach marketing for profit with an emphasis on complying with regulations.
Fun Fact: In March 2014, the debut newsletter was shipped to more than 4,000 people who had applied for marijuana-related business licenses in Washington. It was eight pages long. From there it grew into an entire magazine; presently, it has over 12,000 subscribers.
Cannabis Culture: Cannabis Culture was once found in print but is now solely online. It’s dedicated to all things cannabis, including the subculture. It features a variety of stories, ranging from interviews with users to tips on growing, from coverage to marijuana competitions to legalization news.
Fun Fact: Per the Daily Press, Cannabis Culture was pulled off the shelves in Timmins, Ontario in 2000. The reason? It was a “comic crime” because of its illicit subject matter. The publisher traveled to Timmins and gave out free copies in front of the police station, forcing the police to relent. Dozens of letters were sent to the mayor and the police department from readers who were outraged by the intrusion of censorship.