High Times was founded in 1974 by Tom Forçade, a political activist and underground journalist. Forçade created High Times as a counterculture magazine focused on cannabis culture, initially intending it to be a one-off parody of Playboy. However, the magazine's popularity led to its continued publication. Forçade's vision was to provide a platform for cannabis enthusiasts and advocates at a time when marijuana was heavily stigmatized. Today, High Times is owned by Hightimes Holding Corp., a company that has expanded the brand beyond publishing into events and merchandise. Based in Los Angeles, California, High Times covers a wide range of topics related to cannabis culture, including news about marijuana legalization efforts, medical cannabis research, and the cannabis industry. Their coverage extends to politics, particularly as it relates to drug policy and reform. The magazine and website also feature articles on entertainment, music, and lifestyle topics that intersect with cannabis culture. High Times is known for its annual Cannabis Cup events, which are competitions for cannabis products held in various locations. The brand has evolved to become a significant voice in the cannabis community, providing news, product reviews, and cultural commentary. One interesting fact: A unique aspect of High Times is its role in preserving and promoting cannabis-related art. The magazine has long featured psychedelic and cannabis-inspired artwork on its covers and within its pages, showcasing both established and emerging artists. This commitment to visual art has made High Times an unexpected curator of a specific genre of counterculture art, with many of its cover artworks becoming iconic representations of cannabis culture over the decades. The magazine's archives serve as a visual history of how cannabis has been depicted and perceived in popular culture since the 1970s.