Beyond the Headlines: Ben Adams on Cannabis Journalism and Advocacy
An In-Depth Interview with High Times' Esteemed Writer
Dr C: Join me for an unedited interview with Ben Adams, High Times' influential writer, as he shares his journey in cannabis journalism, memorable interviews, and thoughts on the evolving landscape of cannabis and psychedelics
Dr C: What initially sparked your interest in writing about cannabis news and lifestyle back in 2008?
BA: I started writing for SKUNK Magazine in 2008, my first cannabis-related publication. I saw photos of glistening trichomes on buds on the covers of High Times, SKUNK, Weed World, and Cannabis Now, and I was hooked. I also knew about the political advocacy behind them that dates back to the 1970s. My interest in medical cannabis grew exponentially in 2011, when I was diagnosed with HIV. It became evident to me that it’s useful for treating anxiety and the side effects of antiretroviral drugs, which have since improved. It allowed me to jog regularly. I consume it every day and before exercise.
Dr C: Can you share a particularly memorable interview or interaction you've had with a politician or celebrity regarding cannabis?
BA: My favorite interview was Kathy Bates. Her brief but impactful dispensary-themed sitcom Disjointed, which launched in 2017 and lasted for two seasons, was the only reason I was able to talk to her, working for a cannabis magazine—Culture magazine at the time. I knew her well from the Stephen King adaptations of The Stand and Misery. She insisted that she interview me at the end, since my work as a writer was equally as exciting to her as her own career, she said. I’ve interviewed a lot of celebrities that have acted like royalty, but she went out of her way to let me know I was just as important as her.
Dr C: How do you approach the challenge of fact-checking and editing cannabis-related content, given the rapidly changing legal landscape?
BA: Developing news changes by the minute. Take South Dakota, for instance. The state already approved adult-use, but due to constant legal challenges, they are voting for a third time. There’s also a flood of misinformation and bias. People have strong opinions about hemp-derived cannabinoids, for instance. There are also a lot of people claiming Schedule III is somehow worse than Schedule I—that the sky is falling and the pharmaceutical industry is taking over. I think the cannabis industry in the U.S. has always operated in the gray area.
Dr C: What are your thoughts on the recent findings about the therapeutic benefits of hallucinogenic compounds found in Colorado River toads? Related, what’s your sense of the challenges in conveying this sort of information to the medical community and the general public?
BA: If it’s there in nature, with useful effects, it’s probably meant to be used. They produce 5-methoxy-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) and bufotenin. It will probably have a place in psychedelic-assisted therapy within the next five years, I’d guess. I think people are curious about it, but also scared of compounds that they don’t understand.
Dr C: You've written about many different aspects of cannabis, from small businesses to global legal statuses. Which topic do you find most compelling and why?
BA: The Green Rush is the Gold Rush of my own generation. There’s too much money in it to ignore. More importantly, the medical benefits are worth more than money—life or death for some people struggling to have a quality of life. I find the history of advocacy to be most compelling: Brownie Mary (who saved people’s lives with edibles), Jack Herer, Dennis Peron, Tom Forçade, John Sinclair, etc.
Dr C: Can you discuss the significance of the recent poll in Texas showing majority support for cannabis legalization? What do you think this means for the future of cannabis laws in states like Texas compared to more liberal states?
BA: Politicians have told me that there is no downside to supporting cannabis publicly. It’s popular among both parties now. I think standing by the issue of cannabis tipped the scales in runoff races in recent years. Texas is still behind the times. You have towns like Denton, where police and city politicians ignored the law and the will of people, and busted people for cannabis. Denton voters approved an ordinance to decriminalize pot, but police had other plans. Those views about cannabis in small Texas towns need to change. In Utah, the state legislature panicked when voters approved medical cannabis, and quickly installed a “compromise” bill that took away home grow. Those conservative views also need to go.
Dr C: With your extensive background in arts and culture, how do you see the intersection of cannabis with these fields evolving in the coming years?
BA: It’s already going mainstream. I think it will be even less taboo in the near future, and cannabis in cartoons and family films won’t be offensive to people. If you look at the stoner films of the 1990s and 2000s, they were depicted as lazy, dumb potheads. It’s slowly losing its association with unmotivated underachievers.
Bonus:
Dr C: As someone who has covered both cannabis and psychedelics more than most, what parallels do you see between the two industries, and what lessons can the emerging psychedelics market learn from the cannabis industry?
BA: I think cannabis is a mild psychedelic itself, and the use of other useful compounds like psilocybin is only a matter of time, particularly for conditions like depression. The medical cannabis programs in states are kind of setting up the template for psilocybin dispensaries in the future, I’d guess. In Canada, mushroom dispensaries are fighting back and winning in many ways. I wonder if cannabis will ever be regulated in the same way as pharmaceuticals, because it’s so useful in plant form.
To follow Ben Adams' work:
On X, @benbot11 | His Instagram | benjaminmadams.com
Dr. C: Thank you, Ben, for sharing your fascinating journey and insights into the evolving world of cannabis and psychedelics. Your experiences and perspectives offer valuable context for understanding the complexities and potential of these industries. It’s been a pleasure discussing these important topics with you.
To our listeners and readers, stay curious and informed as we navigate the future of cannabis and psychedelics together. If there are any interesting individuals or topics you’d like us to cover, please share your suggestions in the comments section below! Join us next time for more unfiltered conversations. Until then, be safe and make informed choices.