In industries built on culture as much as commerce, the right storyteller can shape how your brand is understood. Cannabis and psychedelics companies do not simply sell products. They communicate trust, purpose, and transformation. Choosing a journalist or podcast to represent your voice is not only a marketing decision. It is a reputational investment.
After more than a decade working in emerging industries, one lesson shows up consistently: visibility without credibility is noise. The journalists and podcasters you align with help determine whether your story is amplified, contextualized, or forgotten.
This guide offers a starting point, with examples of journalists and podcasts that regularly appear in cannabis and psychedelics conversations, along with ideas for how to decide who is right for you.
1. Look for Journalists Who Bring Curiosity and Context
The strongest cannabis and psychedelics reporters work as translators. They move between science, policy, business, and culture, and they help readers understand why the story matters. Before pitching anyone, ask: Who do they quote? How do they handle research and regulation? Do they raise real questions or repeat familiar talking points?
Below are some journalists who cover this space today. They are listed alphabetically by last name to keep the resource easy to scan rather than presented as a ranking.
Journalists
Jeremy Berke (Cultivated; formerly Business Insider) – Blends market data with human insight. Useful for executives shaping investor narratives.
Steve Bloom (CelebStoner, formerly High Times) – One of the long-standing voices of cannabis culture media. His coverage connects legacy history with the present.
Mattha Busby (Vice News, Men’s Health, The Guardian, Wired, DoubleBlind) – Brings a global, sociopolitical approach to drug policy and reform. Often cited by international organizations.
Danny Danko (High Times, Freedom Leaf) – A familiar horticultural voice, focused on cultivation, genetics, and the plant’s cultural history.
Ruby Deevoy (The Independent, The Guardian, Psychedelic Health, BBC) – Widely read in the UK. Connects wellness, science, and policy with clarity.
Jimi Devine (High Times, LA Weekly) – A respected reporter on elite genetics and high-end flower. His writing influences trends across the culture.
David Downs (Leafly, San Francisco Chronicle) – Known for investigative work, policy depth, and consumer education.
Rachelle Gordon (GreenState) – Explains policy and product developments in a clear, accessible way. Helpful for brands speaking to newcomers and informed audiences at the same time.
Javier Hasse (High Times, Forbes, El Planteo) – Covers international markets, finance, and cross-border regulation with depth. Combines data-driven reporting with cultural perspective.
A.J. Herrington (Forbes, High Times, Cannabis Now) – A steady and well-rounded reporter across culture, policy, business, and science.
Josiah Hesse (Author, The Guardian, High Times) – Writes about wellness, performance, and creativity through the lens of real-world cannabis and psychedelics use.
Dustin Hoxworth (Fat Nugs Magazine) – A rising voice from the craft and legacy communities. Strong for brands seeking cultural credibility.
Margaret Jackson (MJBizDaily) – Focuses on licensing, operations, infrastructure, and financials, and often makes complex business topics understandable.
Shayla Love (The Guardian, New Yorker, The Atlantic, The New York Times) – Known for scientific rigor, ethical awareness, and nuanced reporting on psychedelics.
Ronit Pinto (Honeysuckle Media) – Blends activism, culture, fashion, and community storytelling.
Each journalist brings a distinct editorial lens, whether analytical, cultural, scientific, business-focused, or rooted in legacy communities. The right match depends on your story, your mission, and your audience.
2. Evaluate Podcasts Like Strategic Relationships
Podcasts differ widely in tone, audience, and editorial approach. The goal is not simply reach. The goal is alignment. A show with a smaller but deeply engaged audience can have more impact than one with a large but passive listenership.
Here are some podcasts that frequently appear in cannabis and psychedelics conversations:
Planted with Sara Payan – Patient-first and education-first. Strong for medical and access-focused companies.
The James Loud Podcast – Focused on genetics, breeding, and plant science. Ideal for brands with technical or cultivation-driven stories.
Let’s Be Blunt with Montel Williams – Mixes mainstream visibility with human-centered advocacy.
Puff Puff Press Podcast – Blends media, culture, and entrepreneurship.
Mycropreneur with Dennis Walker – Covers psychedelic entrepreneurship with humor, insight, and global perspective.
Apartment 113 – A raw look into cannabis culture and the realities of the business.
First Smoke of the Day – Known for cultivator and artist interviews, and influential within high-end flower and legacy communities.
Beard Bros Media – A trusted grassroots platform committed to transparency and community ethics.
The Canna Boss Babes – Focused on leadership and empowerment, especially for women in the industry.
Psychedelics Today – A long-running educational platform known for academic and clinical depth.
The Blimburn Podcast – Offers global conversations with breeders, scientists, and cultural innovators.
The Dime – Interviews entrepreneurs, scientists, and executives about strategy, challenges, and lessons learned.
This is not a full list of every show in the space. It is a useful cross-section of styles and audiences.
3. Match Your Message to the Medium
A strong media strategy adapts to the strengths of each outlet.
- Podcasts reward honesty, narrative, and depth.
- Trade journals value clarity, data, and analysis.
- Policy reporters look for evidence, nuance, and impact.
- Culture outlets highlight story, community, and voice.
Practical guidance:
Audit tone
Listen to or read several pieces before pitching.
Bring value instead of promotion
Offer insight, data, perspective, or access.
Invest in relationships
Good coverage comes from trust, not volume.
Honor editorial independence
Pitch expertise, not marketing language.
4. The Bottom Line: Storytellers Shape Legacy
In cannabis and psychedelics, your brand is not defined only by what you create. It is shaped by how people talk about your work, and by who carries your message forward.
A journalist or podcast host can humanize your mission, widen your reach, and build legitimacy that advertising cannot replicate. People remember stories, not slogans.
Use guides like this as a place to begin. Explore more voices, listen closely to how they work, and choose storytellers who bring integrity, curiosity, and cultural awareness to the table. When your mission aligns with theirs, visibility can become resonance, and resonance can become lasting impact.
This article is from an external, unpaid contributor. It does not represent High Times’ reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
