Cannabis publication High Times is coming back from the dead.
Josh Kesselman, founder of RAW Rolling Papers, going in with former High Times Co-Owner Matt Stang on an all-cash $3.5 million acquisition that will see publication resume along with the return of the Cannabis Cup.
Founded in 1974, High Times rose to prominence, but in recent years, the brand fell into receivership.
“This is a ‘pinch yourself’ kind of moment for me, just unbelievable,” said Kesselman. “18-year-old stoner Josh would be in complete disbelief that I get to bring back a piece of history that has played such an important part in culture and impacted so many lives, including my own. This feels like a dream. Having Matt Stang, an OG and a former owner-operator of the magazine, involved in this acquisition just makes it all come full circle. It’s surreal to be a small part of giving back to the community that helped make me.”
Plans for High Times include:
- Relaunching the print magazine in limited-run, collectible editions.
- Reintroducing the Cannabis Cup event series, with third-party judging and zero pay-to-play involvement.
- Rebuilding the digital platform to host a network of cannabis podcasts, experts and community voices.
“This incarnation of High Times is going to be bigger and better than ever,” said Stang. “As an original owner-operator, I’m energized about my partnership with Josh—we’re not just reviving High Times as a news source, we’re positioning it as a guiding light for culture and a definitive authority on all things cannabis and psychedelics. At its heart, this is about reigniting the passion of longtime fans while inspiring a new generation to carry the torch forward. It’s about sharing, connection and honoring the culture that we love so dearly.”
The first revamped Cannabis Cup is expected to return in early 2026.
