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Time for a Cannabis Reboot: Local Roots, Fair Markets, Real Change

Published

1 day ago

October 23, 2025

Written by Shaleen Title and Damian Fagon

Federal cannabis bills are not coming to save us. It’s October 2025, and the corporate-led strategy that has dominated the movement is dead. The same bills get introduced over and over, and like zombies, we deliver the same recycled responses, fight the same identical fights, and make no progress. We are no closer to federal legalization than we were five years ago. The attempted corporate takeover has clearly failed, and we’re still pretending that doing the exact same thing will yield a different result.

The cannabis policy movement needs a reboot. We are ready to pull the plug on this failed approach and start building the cannabis market we actually want instead, and we hope you will join us. It’s time for a complete overhaul, with a new strategy that puts local communities and fair markets at the center.

Wall Street Weed still frames this as a fairy tale in which they are the heroes, fighting valiantly for incremental wins while moral purists hold them back. But the truth is simpler: no one is holding them back. Despite all the money and lobbying, their strategy has failed.

The movement tried selling out to publicly traded cannabis companies – the most ambitious among us even selling out to Big Tobacco – and we remain stalled. Their lobbyists promised momentum and results but delivered nothing. None of their preferred bills passed, and none of their stated goals were met.

The good news is that we can change course by putting people over profits and building local power to bring real change. But first, we have to name the zombie ideas that keep staggering through every legislative session, devouring resources and delivering nothing.

First: “Federal legalization now; we’ll work out the details later.”

That argument made sense when we didn’t yet know what legalization looked like. But we do now. The details are the policy. Most people in the U.S. have access to dispensaries. They don’t particularly care about banking access and tax rates. Instead, we need to tell a clear story supporting a specific federal cannabis package with guardrails that protect all of us – consumers, workers, small businesses, and yes, communities harmed by prohibition.

Thanks to the selfless people who began this movement, the reform of federal cannabis laws remains a massively popular issue across the political spectrum. Our research shows that a majority of Americans believe legalization should benefit people who use marijuana as medicine, people who use marijuana for pleasure, people who have been harmed by past enforcement, workers, everyday people, locally owned businesses, and small businesses. A majority does not say the same for pharma, alcohol, tobacco, or large corporations. It’s time to start working toward that goal.

Second: “The market will figure it out”

This is not the 1980s. Relying on the so-called “free market” to equitably distribute value back to workers, small businesses, and consumers is a joke, and we all know it. Markets are intentionally constructed through policy and politics, not magic. Corporate free-for-alls don’t distribute wealth fairly; they concentrate it at the top. We can have markets that reward labor and local small businesses, but only if we build them intentionally.

That means structuring markets that separate growing, processing, and retail operations so no company can dominate every stage of the supply chain. It means explicitly limiting ownership concentration, protecting local programs that favor local businesses, and creating real protections for workers. We already have a blueprint from states that have created relatively fair and competitive cannabis markets, far more friendly to small businesses than comparable industries. These aren’t accidents – they’re the result of intentional policy design, and they can be replicated at the federal level.

Third: “Any marijuana bill is better than no marijuana bill”

No, it isn’t. Marijuana bills are not universally good. It will take an adjustment, but our movement has to understand and accept that some bills would have genuinely harmful consequences. In our view, a federal legalization bill that hands control of the market to giant conglomerates and continues criminalization in the American South is worse than the status quo. Passing the wrong bill could cement monopoly power for a generation.

And look, this would be a fair debate if corporate-backed bills were actually passing. But they’re not. So why are we tirelessly supporting their failed bills with our limited time, energy, and resources every session? Do you really think they’ll remember and reward us if they ever get their tax cut or buyout?

Let’s have some self-respect. Any bill without a plan to prevent monopolization should be a nonstarter. Let’s stop conflating justice with profits. Let’s stop pretending that incremental “progress” that only benefits large corporations is progress at all. Because states really are making some progress – they are clearing convictions, funding equity programs, and giving new entrepreneurs a shot. We need federal policy that protects and enhances these efforts, not erases them.

Looking Forward

For those of us who’ve been in this fight since before 2012, it’s time for clear-eyed assessment. We helped pass and implement one of the most significant policy changes in modern U.S. history, and that’s worth celebrating. But the playbook we built belonged to a different era, a time when wealth was less concentrated and corporate responsibility still meant something. Today’s inequality demands new tools. The old libertarian formula doesn’t just fail; it fuels the very harms we set out to repair.

The next phase belongs to a multicultural movement that understands post-legalization realities and sees how monopolies and regulatory capture threaten both justice and opportunity. Those of us who shaped the early reforms can still play a role as mentors helping this new generation take cannabis policy where it needs to go.

This new generation already has its north star: people first, profit last. As Kassandra Frederique of the Drug Policy Alliance reminds us, “The drug can’t have more rights than the people do.” That principle is not rhetorical; it’s the heart of this fight. If we are still obsessing over banking access and tax deductions while consumers are being criminalized again, we no longer have a movement. Brownie Mary and the AIDS activists who built this fight understood that cannabis was always about the health, safety and dignity of people.

And the people are still with us. Seventy percent of Americans support some form of legalization, but they are not asking for more corporate consolidation or Wall Street control. The cannabis industry doesn’t have to become yet another monopoly that drains more than it provides. But changing that outcome means replacing the old rules with new ones built around fairness, transparency, and justice.

The next era of cannabis reform will not be decided in Congress or corporate boardrooms. It will be built, once again, by people.

Shaleen Title and Damian Fagon are former cannabis regulators with Parabola Center for Law and Policy. Register for Parabola Center’s annual People Over Profits event in NYC this Saturday at parabolacenter.com/crashcourse.

This article is from an external, unpaid contributor. It does not represent High Times’ reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.

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Author: mscannabiz.com

MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.

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Bad Stoner Horror: The 10 Worst-Rated 420 Scary Movies

Published

3 hours ago

October 24, 2025

mscannabiz.com

The horror genre and weed culture have crossed paths plenty of times, giving birth to a quirky (and often laced with humor) subgenre known as stoner horror. But not all of these productions hit the mark as hard as the great masterpiece Cabin In the Woods (2011), the hilarious This Is The End (2013), or even the pretty–decent Idle Hands (1999). Some have earned the label of the “worst stoner horror flicks” thanks to their ridiculous plots, low-budget special effects, and questionable acting.

Ranked from best to worst: 10 weed-infused horror movies

Among the most notorious examples are Evil Bong (2006), Bong of the Dead (2011), and Pot Zombies (2005). While these films lack solid execution, they’ve managed to gain cult status among B-movie horror fans thanks to their over-the-top, often comical approach.

So, are they worth watching? Maybe, maybe not, but one thing’s for sure: when a film goes from bad to downright terrible, it can still make for some pretty good entertainment.

Here’s your list (watch out! Spoilers ahead).

Ranked from best to worst: 10 weed-infused horror movies

10 – Bong of the Living Dead (2017)

This horror-comedy follows a group of stoner friends who see their dream of surviving a zombie apocalypse come true. At first, it seems exciting, but they soon realize the apocalypse isn’t nearly as fun as they imagined.

The movie blends classic stoner humor with a heavy dose of zombie gore. With subtle recalls to Shaun of the Dead, it works as a parody of the zombie genre made on a shoestring budget, but standing out for its creativity and style.

9 – The Tripper (2006)

Directed by David Arquette and starring Courteney Cox (Friends), this film mixes horror with political satire. A group of young people head to a music festival in the woods, only to be hunted by a serial killer obsessed with Ronald Reagan. Serving as a critique of 1980s conservative politics, the movie stands out for its bloody, offbeat approach.

8 – Trim Season (2024)

In this horror thriller, a group of seasonal workers venture onto a remote weed farm in California, only to discover something far more sinister lurking among the plants. The film blends rural horror with a critique of labor exploitation.

7 – Hansel & Gretel Get Baked (2013)

This horror-comedy puts a modern twist on the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel. When Gretel discovers a powerful strain called Black Forest, she and her brother find themselves embroiled in a bloody adventure involving a modern-day witch, played by Lara Flynn Boyle (Twin Peaks). With irreverent humor and horror effects, this film is a bizarre and modern take on the classic.

6 – Evil Bong (2006)

A horror-comedy starring cannabis icon Tommy Chong, where a group of friends buys a mysterious bong that turns out to be possessed. After lighting up, they are transported to a hellish dimension where they must fight for their lives. The film is part of a series known for its absurd humor: its sequel, Evil Bong 420, has an even lower rating: a whooping 2.6/10 on IMDb.

5 – 4/20 Massacre (2018)

Five girlfriends decide to spend April 20th (4/20) camping in a national park, where they come across an illegal grow operation and are forced to fight to survive against a killer maniac. This film blends slasher horror with weed culture, offering both scares and references to stoner icons.

4 – Halloweed (2016)

Two brothers, one of them famous for being the son of a serial killer, move to a new town to escape their past. However, murder follows the family as they try to enjoy a quiet, pot-fueled life.

3 – Star Leaf (2015)

In this science fiction film, a group of friends discovers an alien cannabis plant in the forest that can connect humans to other dimensions. However, smoking from it attracts the attention of extraterrestrial forces.

2 – Bong of the Dead (2011)

Not to be confused with Bong of the Living Dead, in this low-budget horror comedy, two stoner friends survive a zombie apocalypse using weed as their primary defense tool. It’s an irreverent, low-budget take that parodies the zombie genre.

1 – Pot Zombies (2005)

In this cult horror film, people who smoke contaminated pot turn into bloodthirsty zombies. It’s a low-budget production with a B-movie aesthetic that has become a classic within the stoner horror subgenre.

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Author: mscannabiz.com

MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.

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Vee the Traveling Cannabis Writer Unveils First Book in Cannabis Legacy Series – Ganjapreneur

Published

4 hours ago

October 24, 2025

mscannabiz.com

Acclaimed cannabis journalist and documentarian Veronica “Vee” Castillo has released the first installment of her series The Traveling Cannabis Writer’s Guide to America’s Hidden Gems. Part 1 of the series, dubbed The 30,000-Foot View, is an impactful collection of notes from the road bringing together more than six years of on-the-ground reporting from across the United States, and highlighting the voices, businesses, and cultural movements often overlooked by mainstream media coverage.

Castillo has built a reputation as one of the most trusted grassroots storytellers in cannabis media. Through 200+ published articles across more than 20 publications, she has documented the cannabis movement not from behind a desk, but face-to-face with craft cultivators, equity entrepreneurs, reform advocates, and plant medicine practitioners operating within the legacy of prohibition. From small farming towns to inner-city collectives, Castillo’s work places community and lived experience at the center of the cannabis narrative.

About the Book

Part memoir, part documentary journalism, and part social history, The 30,000-Foot View explores:

The origins of a journey — Castillo’s decision to leave her home in Ohio in 2018 and travel the country to learn about plant medicine after cannabis helped her overcome debilitating migraines.
Women shaping cannabis innovation — Insightful profiles of women—primarily Black, Brown, and Latina entrepreneurs—building purpose-driven brands in a system not built for them.
Culture and connection — A rare look at cannabis’ cultural roots across Puerto Rico, Florida, Chicago, and beyond, where food, music, tradition, and plant medicine intersect.
Advocacy on tour — Behind-the-scenes documentation of educational, business, and policy tours that connected grassroots operators and advanced equity conversations nationwide.
The economics of survival — A frank examination of taxes, regulation, and the true cost of building an equitable cannabis industry under ongoing systemic pressure.

A Record of Cannabis Progress, as Shared by the People in It

With state-level drug policy reforms sweeping the country and consolidation reshaping the cannabis business landscape, Castillo believes it is urgent to preserve the legacy of the movement before it becomes distorted.

“Corporate cannabis didn’t build this industry,” Castillo writes. “Communities did. Healers did. Freedom fighters did. Farmers did. People harmed by the War on Drugs did. These are their stories, and they deserve permanence.”

In contrast to most cannabis industry analysis available in book form, Castillo’s work is lived, personal, and fiercely human. She brings readers into farms, family kitchens, hemp mansions, trap-adjacent clinics, cross-country tour vans, and policy meetings alike. The 30,000 Foot View is a historical archive in motion and a rallying call for equity-centered growth in cannabis.

Availability

The 30,000 Foot View is now available on Kindle. For media inquiries, partnership opportunities, and speaking engagements, please reach out to: Veetravelingvegcannawriter@gmail.com

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MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.

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[Video] G Herbo: Snoop Rolled My Blunt and Let Me Hit It, Smoking A Zip a Day, Chicago Munchies (Weird) and What’s Next

Published

5 hours ago

October 24, 2025

mscannabiz.com

Some stories don’t need dressing. They just land. G Herbo sits back, cracks a grin and lets it fly. A story you can picture.

“Probably with Snoop,” he says when asked about his most memorable sesh. “I was like 18. I left a bunch of Swishers on the table, came back and Snoop was already rolling my [expletive] up. I was like, ‘Yeah.’ He let me hit the blunt. It was my blunt.”

That’s the energy of this sit-down, hosted by Shirley Ju for High Times and presented by Slapwoods. Herbo is calm, funny, direct. He talks like a guy who’s seen the miles and still remembers the corners.

Work rate stays high. “You just dropped the ‘Reason’ music video. One million in 4 days,” Shirley notes. Herbo nods: “Yeah, that’s crazy. I feel like the energy is picking up. The support I’m getting from my core fans and the new fans behind this… I thought it would get a million in a week or two, but four days was different. I think that’s the fastest I’ve ever hit that.”

Chicago pride shows up like a reflex. On the highlight of the shoot he adds, “Nobody really did that. No artist went back to Chicago and in 24s riding around in drop-tops and [stuff] like that. So I knew it was going to get some attention.”

Then comes the era fans always ask about. How much was he smoking back then?

“Probably like a zip,” Herbo says. With the homies it went faster, but solo it was still heavy. “By myself I know I smoke at least a seven to a fourteen a day for sure, ’cause I wake up and roll like four blunts and my blunts were big.” The routine was simple: “I get up, brush my teeth, smoke weed, then eat.”

When the jar dips below a threshold, it’s time to move. “Any time you go lower than a seven, you got to go get more,” he says. Strain-wise he kept it modern: “I really like smoking a lot of Runtz, Gumbo, [stuff] like that.”

Etiquette matters. Biggest pet peeve in a sesh? “Making a blunt wet.” The lip-gloss scenario comes up and he laughs: “Yeah, that’s terrible. That’s my second most for sure. With the lip gloss I don’t even want it no more. He can have it at that point.”

Herbo’s taste is classic. Favorite smoking song: “Styles P, ‘Good Times’.” (“Good Times (I Get High),” 2002.) Favorite stoner movies: “Between Friday and How High. I still watch either if I’m high and laugh all day. Or The Wash. I like watching The Wash when I’m high.” (Friday, 1995; How High, 2001; The Wash, 2001.)

Snoop again. The memory returns in full. “We were at Tree Sound in Atlanta. I left a bunch of Swishers on the table, came back and Snoop was just rolling my [stuff] up. I was happy. I hit the blunt a couple times and went to work. I was super star-struck, so I left him alone.”

Growth sits next to the flex. Holding the old Lil Herb cover, he reflects: “I’ll be 30 in six days. I don’t even remember what I got locked up for, but I look very frustrated… I was wild for sure back then, man. And I’m grateful to be in this headspace, to have matured and grown up from being that kid.”

The music is rolling. “The energy behind that record is insane right now. I got to give credit to Southside. He was like, ‘Drop this record. This the record you need to drop.’ He does it every time. It never fails.” There’s more coming too: “Lil Herb the album 1/17.” (Slated for January 17.)

For now, he’s taking a break from the smoke. “A few more months and I’ll be back smoking weed. I can’t wait.” CBD flower never grabbed him. “No, I haven’t.” Edibles are a no: “I never really got in tune with edibles. You’ll be glued to the couch. When I’m too high and can’t think, I’m trying to think for other people. I don’t like that. I try to sleep it off, but on edibles, your mind be going crazy. I can’t really rap off it either ’cause I’ll be too high. I overthink.”

Chicago slips back in through the munchies door with a hyper-local gem. “Have you had a pickle with chips at the same time? It’s like some Chicago [stuff]… Hot Flamins in a pickle.” The room backs it up. If you know, you know.

The conversation closes where it started, with work and collaboration. On Coi, he lights up: “That [stuff] is fire. Coi is super talented. She makes great music for sure. Any time she sends me something I’m on it quick.”

That’s the thread. The kid in the mugshot found his center. The fan who was star-struck at Tree Sound became the artist with a million-view sprint and a city on his back. The weed tales are part of it. The discipline is the other part. And the music keeps coming.

Interview by Shirley Ju for High Times.

Presented by Slapwoods.

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