For the Culture By The Culture
Legacy growers fought for legalization, only to be pushed aside by the system they helped create. This feature exposes how red tape, taxes, and policy failures are locking out the real pioneers while corporate weed cashes in. It’s not just exclusion—it’s cultural erasure. And if we’re not careful, the soul of cannabis will vanish under glossy branding and mediocre bud.
May isn’t just a month of planting. It’s a season of rebellion. This cover story digs into the deep roots of cannabis activism, labor, and legacy. From May Day to World Bee Day, we explore the voices and movements that shaped cannabis culture long before legalization. Because rebellion isn’t a moment—it’s the soil this industry grew from.
The cannabis industry is expected to pump $123.6 billion into the U.S. economy in 2025. That’s not just growth—it’s a cultural reckoning. Built by the same community they tried to erase, this number doesn’t just shut down critics. It buries them.
The DEA is dragging its feet on cannabis rescheduling despite over 43,000 public comments and a formal Schedule III recommendation from HHS. What’s the hold-up? This deep-dive exposes the legal limbo, political stall tactics, and why America’s weed policy is still frozen in time.
The Ann Arbor Hash Bash, held annually since 1972, symbolizes the ongoing fight for cannabis rights and culture. Headlined by Tommy Chong in 2025, it embodies protest and celebration against restrictive drug laws. The event attracts diverse generations, emphasizing the fight for freedom and autonomy amid the commercialization of cannabis culture.
The DEA is delaying the rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I, despite overwhelming scientific support and recommendations from health authorities. This stalling harms the cannabis industry, patients, and communities affected by marijuana criminalization. Political influences from big pharmaceutical companies contribute to this resistance, prolonging the adverse effects of current drug policies.
