Higher Times: A Higher Purpose
Higher Times is a brand and platform dedicated to raising consciousness through diverse media and services, including podcasts, travel experiences, educational programs, and documentaries. Rooted in the countercultural legacy of Thomas King Forcade, the founder of High Times magazine, Higher Times extends his vision of societal transformation and personal liberation into modern contexts. Operated under New Morning Ventures, LLC (NMV), Higher Times intends to promote initiatives that blend activism, creativity, and enlightenment. Guided by Colleen Manley, Forcade’s cousin and a key figure in preserving his legacy.
About Thomas King Forcade
Thomas King Forcade (September 11, 1945 – November 17, 1978), born Gary Goodson in Phoenix, Arizona, was a pivotal figure in the American counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s. An underground journalist, cannabis rights activist, and entrepreneur, Forcade rose to prominence by taking over the Underground Press Syndicate (later the Alternative Press Syndicate), amplifying the voice of anti-establishment newspapers nationwide. Known for his audacious stunts—such as pieing Congressional panelists and battling for White House press credentials—he blended radical activism with a flair for the surreal, often clashing with both the government and fellow radicals. In 1974, he founded High Times magazine, envisioning it as a cultural and economic revolutionary force akin to Playboy for marijuana, mainstreaming a taboo subject. Forcade was also a significant marijuana smuggler, funding his ventures with large-scale operations, though this fueled his erratic behavior and struggles with depression. His life ended tragically in 1978 when he took his own life by gunshot in his Greenwich Village apartment at age 33, leaving behind trusts to support High Times and NORML. His legacy as a countercultural outlaw endures, inspiring projects like Higher Times.
About Colleen Manley
Colleen Manley is the cousin of Thomas King Forcade and a driving force in continuing his legacy. As the Manager of New Morning Ventures, LLC, based in Phoenix, Arizona, she brings both personal connection and professional expertise to the Higher Times initiative. Manley has a background in complex tax, legal, and financial matters, with experience in business planning, mergers, acquisitions, and contract negotiations—skills that complement her role in steering NMV’s ventures. Beyond her business acumen, she has been deeply involved with High Times, serving as a shareholder and former director of Trans High Corporation, the magazine’s original parent entity. Passionate about Forcade’s vision, Manley is currently spearheading efforts to produce a feature film about his life with Academy Award-winning professionals and is developing a documentary series about the life and the entire history of High Times to date. She is also working to develop Higher Times as a branding platform to extend his influence. Through her creative oversight and final approval of content, she ensures that Higher Times reflects Forcade’s commitment to activism, counterculture, and consciousness-raising, bridging his 1970s radicalism with today’s evolving landscape.