You can’t underestimate the overall impact of High Times in the world of printed media and counterculture over the decades. It unapologetically pushed the envelope of what publishers could get away with—despite periodic moral fervor—paving the way for future generations of cannabis publications. In other words, this is no normal magazine.
Today, these issues are highly collectible, with some valuable editions yielding large amounts of cash in some cases. The king of all High Times issues, however, will always be the premier edition. The magazine’s legendary emergence led to six decades’ worth of priceless issues.
Founded by Tom Forçade, the original team spared no expense in printing the first edition. In June 1974, an initial run reportedly around 10,000 copies of High Times debuted. The premier issue features a heavy stock card foil cover, with a photo of model Elizabeth Donoghue about to consume a shroom. Its original metallic sheen must’ve been awe-inspiring to the magazine’s first readers who’d never seen anything like it.
The original crew was a pot all-star team, including expert grower Ed Rosenthal, Woodstock pamphlet editor Ed Dwyer, Yippies founder Dana Beal, and others. While early issues featured information on assorted drugs, the magazine slowly evolved to focus on cannabis and natural psychedelics. The magazine’s design also evolved over the decades, reflecting the changing times while keeping its core identity unmistakable.
These back issues are typically worth much more than their retail price, but it all depends on the number of defects and flaws of each issue, which can be graded.
Grading High Times Issues
Thanks to organizations like Certified Guaranty Company (CGC), founded about 25 years ago, the premier edition of High Times is a hot-ticket item among collectors. CGC is a member of the Certified Collectors Group, a leading provider of “expert, impartial, and tech-enabled services” that add actual value to collectibles. The company has certified over 90 million coins, banknotes, comic books, TCGs, sports cards, video games, home video collectibles, stamps, etc.
They adopt the industry standard 10-point grading scale to evaluate collectibles. Gem Mint, a 10.0-point grade, is the highest grade a collectible can reach. It must have no evidence of any manufacturing or handling defects. For a magazine, it must come from an immaculate print run with no defects in the offset prints.
“In collecting, a magazine’s grade is a significant factor in driving value and demand,” Nicki O., a representative of CGC, told High Times in an emailed statement. “CGC has been in the business of certifying magazines for over two decades, with a dedicated team of professionals who grade each magazine on a scale of 0.5 to 10.0, with 10.0 being in perfect condition.”
CGC frequently grades vintage comics and magazines. So what are the most common magazine defects collectors typically see?
“The most common defects that will lower a magazine’s grade include creases, tears, missing pieces, and staining, all of which usually occur shortly after a magazine hits the stands and is lovingly read and handled,” she wrote. “This makes high-grade magazines harder to find, and when they do turn up, they can fetch big bucks.”
Realistically, a magazine from the 1970s can only hope to reach an 8.50, maybe 9.50 grade. I verified this by finding a copy of the premier edition, certified as 8.50, going for $1,500. Most likely, this issue was properly stored in a humidity-controlled environment or somewhere not prone to the elements. That’s what you’re looking at for a premier issue or early issue of the magazine. In the case of High Times, the foil cover is likely faded.
If you really want your magazine’s true value, get its collectible grade certified by an organization like CGC.
Editions, Print Runs, and Signed Issues of High Times
Not all High Times issue #1s are equal, as there are at least four print runs of the premier issue. The first print run featured a “one dollar” cover price, the words “Premier Issue” in the corner, and “Summer 1974” under the H. The second print features the text “one dollar” cover price and “Premier Issue” in the corner. The third print features the text “one dollar” cover price, and it’s distinguishable because this print has much more space between the “High” and “Times” of the logo. The fourth print features a “$1.50” cover price and “Premier Issue Collectors’ Edition” in the corner.
If you ever come across an early run of the premier issue going for $1 rather than $1.50 or a higher price, get it appraised. You might be holding something very valuable. The second Fall 1974 issue yields considerably less money but is still worth a decent amount, typically around $100.
Signed copies of High Times can be purchased via online vendors—notably eBay and Etsy. They go for a few hundred dollars or more. I found signed issues featuring autographs by Andy Warhol, Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin, Charlie Sheen, Jenna Jamison, and, of course, Snoop Dogg. You can expect to pay a few hundred dollars per signed issue, depending on the star power of each subject.
High Times intentionally represented the higher end of lifestyle magazines to destigmatize pot smokers worldwide. “It was national recognition that the underground newspapers were credible news organizations, and could no longer be dismissed as crazy hippie ramblings,” former editor John Holmstrom told me in 2023. Holstrom began working with the magazine early on and was managing editor in 1987.
The intrinsic value of these magazines often surpasses what they are actually worth when they can transport you back to another time.
Note: Prices for collectibles can fluctuate widely, and the value of signed issues depends heavily on authentication and provenance. Always verify certificates of authenticity and recent market trends before buying or selling.
