Dude, <cough, cough> pass the bong…

The High Times at first glance … seems like a novelty. You can buy weed, hash, ecstasy and shrooms through the mail? Fold out pictures of huge Marijuana plants and fields as far as the eye can see… and the magazine is available at your local Drug Mart and gas station! How could this be possible and how could this magazine have any content?

For 25 years now, the “Times” (from now on referred to as HT) has been the most counter-cultural magazine to make it into the spotlight. It preaches of the good that comes from marijuana, sticking up for your first amendment and also features interesting and informative articles. The Pictures are as any photographer would tell you, high quality and eye opening.

**Note** I am not attempting to promote marijuana use in any way through this article … in fact, I hope to remain neutral when it comes to my personal beliefs throughout this review.

The magazine's purposes -

*Entertainment: Just like the products this magazine indorses, for the most part it serves to entertain. It is the playboy of the stoner … fold out pictures of “plants” fill the magazine. The December 2000 issue even has a picture of the ideal gift … a brick of bud being unwrapped out of a Christmas present. The articles in it are funny as well as witty … and that goes for the comics too. Even the ads seem to have a sense of humor about them.

*Information and persuasion –HT is a completely counter-cultural liberal to the bone magazine. They aim to make you think, “Are my rights being violated when I can’t smoke-up in public?” And they do it very well. Read some of the articles, written by pot smokers who as of yet haven’t “smoked themselves stupid”. They are insightful and eye opening. Even Rush Limbaugh would have to agree with a couple of the points brought up.

*The goods – Yes, the notorious magazine dealers. I have a friend (this really was a friend of mine and not me … not trying to cover up for my own actions :)) who ordered an ounce of pot from one of the many ads promising high quality product. He was afraid that since he couldn’t sue, (uh, judge, they only gave me half an ounce...) if they didn’t deliver he could possibly be out 200 bucks. The goods came in a cigar container … wrapped around a spindle. He got even more than an ounce.

They also sell supplies needed to grow your own cannabis and scales to start up a little “business” if you will. Since I have no idea if these are reliable … I can give no feedback.

The obvious… Don’t get caught with one of these magazines at school! IT IS CONSIDERED DRUG PARAFINALIA! Leave HT at home.

Over-all personal ratings

Message – 5/10
Pictures – 10/10
Articles – 10/10
Humor – 9/10

Overall – 34/40 – 4 Stars