Jon Cappetta - VP of Content at High Times [Into the Weeds Podcast Recap]
At Wikileaf, we’re always striving to bring our readers fresh and exciting cannabis content that educates people and advocates for the plant we all know and love. In continuation of our new partnership with Into the Weeds, a unique podcast specializing in conversational flow and intriguing guests. Together, we’ll be releasing a series of very special content aimed at showcasing stories from some of the cannabis industry’s biggest names and influential figures.
This week’s edition of Into the Weeds (ITW) features VP of Content at High Times Magazine, Jon Cappetta. Capetta discusses his early days as a emo and pop punk promoter in Long Island, helping out punk labels like Fueled By Ramen and Vagrant Records.
He also talks about his humble marketing beginnings as The Experience coordinator in University for Red Bull, and taking those initiatives. Never to be outspoken but always humble, Cappetta also discusses in detail getting Segue featured (for free) several times on the Colbert Show.
High Times Magazine, A Cannabis Institution
Since 1974, High Times has been a go-to source for everything related to cannabis, covering topics ranging from cultivation and legalization to entertainment and culture, as well as exposing the War on Drugs. Renowned counterculture and literary figures such as Truman Capote, Hunter S. Thompson, Charles Bukowski, and William Burroughs have contributed to the publication's rich history of excellence. Today, High Times continues to prioritize uncovering the truth and presenting the latest research findings while advocating for a safe and legal cannabis industry.
High Times has expanded its reach to become not only a reputable news outlet but also a cultural destination, capturing the essence of one of the most prolific subcultures in modern American society through coverage of music, arts, entertainment, live events, and food. The publication sponsors a series of events, including the Cannabis Cup trade shows and Business Summit conference, connecting entrepreneurs, advocates, health care providers, and policymakers.
The reach of High Times has expanded beyond the magazine to include websites, apps, and live events. The team comprises a diverse group of journalists, enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, music lovers, foodies, tech geeks, and more.
Jon Cappetta, an innovative steward of the Cannabis plant
Few people in cannabis are as passionate about the plant as Jon Cappetta. Cappetta started working with High Times in 2018 and has since changed the course of the brand. His professional acumen coupled with his love of legacy cannabis, has put him in a unique position in the cannabis industry that allows him safe and respected passage amongst all those in the cannabis industry.
Cappetta met ITW co-host, Ben Rispin on an elevator during Spannabis, the world's biggest cannabis convention in the spring of 2018 while in Barcelona.
“We instantly bonded over a shared passion for releasing quality original cannabis content”. Stated Rispin, “Little did we know that years later, not only would Jon be a sometimes host of Into The Weeds, but we’d come to collaborate more and more”
As frequent collaborators and confidantes, Rispin is a writer for High Times and Cappetta has co-hosted Into The Weeds 4 times, including an episode during “The Hollywood Sessions” featuring UFC fighter, Ashlee Evans-Smith.
Cappetta has gone on to create some of the most talked about anc experiential cannabis content to date. He hosts his own show Highly Productive and in January 2020, released High Times first ever “Art Issue” which is one of the magazines highest selling issues to date.
Thanks for telling us how you got into the weeds Jon.
ABOUT THE ITW PODCAST
ITW is an hour-long podcast known for its conversational flow and intriguing quests. ITW host’s include musician and advocate Ben Rispin (MJR Label Genetics, Rules, Saint Alvia Cartel), musician and entrepreneur, Efrem Martinez-Shulz (Death By Stereo, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Programme Skate & Sound), and Canadian cannabis industry-expert Bubba Nicholson (Grey Beard Cannabis).
Every episode finds hosts discussing the state of the cannabis marketplace and its various nuances while guests from across the entertainment and cannabis landscapes share how they “got Into the Weeds”