Photo: Todd McCormick speaking about Cannabis legalization with SPITFIRE Tour at Woodstock 99.
Todd McCormick is a former cancer patient who started using cannabis in 1979 under his mother's supervision while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Todd overcame the cancer and went on to become a lifetime advocate for cannabis.
Starting in 1994, Todd worked with Jack Herer as an editor of The Emperor Wears No Clothes and after Jack’s passing, he released the 12th edition of the book with memorials to Jack.
Todd received the first international prescription for medical cannabis in the Netherlands in 1994, opened the San Diego Cannabis Compassion Club in 1995, then lived in Amsterdam for over a year growing and studying cannabis. Upon return to the US, he became one of the first growers arrested for cultivating cannabis after the passage of proposition 215. His first book, How to Grow Medical Marijuana, was released in 1998.
Todd became one of the first people the federal government denied a medical necessity defense and was forced to self-surrender to a 5 year prison sentence starting on January 3rd, 2000.
Read the LA Times article about the 1997 bust here:
Read the NY Times Article about being denied medical necessity defense here:
Los Angeles Drug Case Bars medical Necessity Defense
Upon release from prison in 2004, he went right back to activism and started producing fundraisers at the Playboy Mansion for MPP in 2007, 2008 & 2009, and also in 2009, he produced the THC EXPO, which was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Todd co-produced and is featured in the documentaries, THE UNION: The Business Behind Getting High & THE CULTURE HIGH.
Todd also helped produce the book, PROTESTIVAL: A 20 year retrospective of Seattle Hempfest.
Todd will soon be releasing his next book, From Cancer to Cannabis: The Essential Guide to the EndoCannabinoid System.
In 2012 in Barcelona, Todd received the Cannabis Culture Award alongside Dr. Lester Grinspoon and Sir Richard Branson.
PART 1: A COLLECTION OF PODCASTS ON TODD’S ACTIVISM, CANNABIS MEDICINE, CULTIVATION & HISTORY, AND SOME VERY INTERESTING PEOPLE
Episode 62 Ft Todd McCormick of AG Seed Co. (podcast 2021)
The Pot Cast
https://soundcloud.com/the_pot_cast/episode-62-ft-todd-mccormick-of-ag-seed-co
Content Notes: “Howdy friends and welcome back for another installment of the pot cast! In this episode we are graced by the cannabis historian and creator of AG Seed Co - Todd McCormick! Todd was kind enough to stop by and chat about all things Northern Lights, Skunk, Haze, Sam the Skunkman and SO much more!”
(Listener comment) “Thank you so much for this Heavy!! Keep it up bro this is as good as it gets!”
Episode 62.5 Ft Todd McCormick of AG seed Co. (podcast - 2021)
The Pot Cast
https://soundcloud.com/the_pot_cast/episode-625-ft-todd-mccormick-of-ag-seed-co
Content Notes: “Hello and welcome to the second installment of our conversation with the cannabis historian and creator of AG Seed Co - Todd McCormick!”
(Listener comment: "All the plants - I want all the plants!" Todd M I feel that brother!”
Episode 7: Todd McCormick "Sometimes you get shown the light in the strangest places...." (podcast 2021)
The Silver Ash
Content Notes: Early in his life of public activism Todd worked with Jack Herer as an editor of The Emperor Wears No Clothes and after Jack’s passing, he released the 12th edition of the book with memorials to Jack. Todd received the first international prescription for medical cannabis in the Netherlands in 1994, opened the San Diego Cannabis Compassion Club in 1995, and lived in Amsterdam for over a year growing and studying cannabis.
His own first book, “How to Grow Medical Marijuana”, was published in The Netherlands in 1998. Upon return to the US, he became one of the first growers arrested for cultivating cannabis after the passage of proposition 215.
Todd was one of the first people the federal government denied a medical necessity defense for cultivating medical Cannabis and was forced to self-surrender to a 5 year prison sentence starting on January 3rd, 2000. Upon release from prison in 2004, Todd didn’t miss a beat and returned immediately to grassroots activism, producing fundraisers at the Playboy Mansion for the Marijuana Policy Project in 2007, 2008 & 2009. Also in 2009 he produced the THC EXPO which was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Todd has co-produced and is featured in the groundbreaking documentaries, “THE UNION: The Business Behind Getting High” and “THE CULTURE HIGH”. Todd also helped produce the book, “PROTESTIVAL: A 20 year retrospective of Seattle Hempfest”. Todd is currently researching and writing his next book, “From Cancer to Cannabis: The Essential Guide to the EndoCannabinoid System”.
In 2012 in Barcelona, Todd received the Cannabis Culture Award alongside Dr. Lester Grinspoon and Sir Richard Branson. Todd owns Authentic Genetics and supplies heirloom Cannabis genetics at: www.AGSeedCo.com
Todd McCormick, The Culture High, THE YOUNG JURKS (podcast)
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x27a7c0
PART 2: A COLLECTION OF YOUTUBE VIDEOS ON TODD’S ACTIVISM, CANNABIS MEDICINE, CULTIVATION & HISTORY, AND SOME VERY INTERESTING PEOPLE
Emerald Cup 2021 Genetics Panel - Ed Rosenthal, Todd McCormick, Meangene from Mendocino, Katie Jeane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l0pDKSdLEQ&list=PLo5437hzonJEz_uzHkj0NzdDrZ_M3ZH31&index=21
Dark Horse Live! E74 with @ToddPMcCormick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlCHpb3raC0
Content Notes: A relaxed trip through the “origin stories” behind Todd’s life journey and discoveries beginning with a childhood of recurrent cancer, painful ‘medicines’, the discovery of Cannabis, and how the medical system fails children with cancer. Then the interview moves quickly into activism, Jack Herer, The Netherlands, Federal Prison, new attitudes, OG Kush, and The Union.
(Viewer comment) One of the best episodes that exist, Todd is an amazing human being, much respect.
Dark Horse Live! E75 with @ToddPMcCormick talking Nevil and The Seed Bank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl79B-hdsgU
Todd McCormick talking about Nevil and The Seed Bank. “It’s a crazy story and Todd wrote the best article on the subject.” This in-depth interview explores and documents the full timeline of Nevil’s life and times, covering the story of his life from teenage addict to global Cannabis legend. Todd ties together every element of the story beginning with Skunkman Sam and how the original seeds of Durban Poison, Afghani #1, Hindu Kush and Skunk #1 came to be the foundation of Nevil’s reputation.
The interview goes way beyond conventional Nevil stories and provides real insight into the genetic origins of today’s Cannabis breeding community, and how contemporary breeders are building on the work of many other pioneers as well.
Content Notes: (Viewer comment) What a great interview with amazing information. I was glued to my phone. I can’t wait for more.
Spitfire - Spitfire Tour Interview - 7/25/1999 - Woodstock 99 East Stage (Official)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-sRYPFVnzU&list=PLo5437hzonJEz_uzHkj0NzdDrZ_M3ZH31&index=2
Todd Media - PodCasts & Videos
ACTIVISM VIDEOS & PODCASTS
Transcript of “Politically Incorrect” May 15,1998
https://www.drugtimes.org/grow-medical-marijuana/transcript-of-politically-incorrect.html
Full transcript of Bill Maher’s interview with Todd McCormick
“Well, as you probably know, tonight, it's pretty much a one-topic show because we have one of the, as I said in the introduction, a leading medical marijuana activist here, that is Todd McCormick. And medical marijuana has been a hot-button issue, not only in this state, but all across this country. It was passed here in something called Proposition 215.”
2002
Bill Maher on Marijuana Legalization:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDLxTG6JM2w
Content Notes: “Bill Maher rips into America's War on Cannabis, taking it personal because his friend Todd McCormick was in a CA prison at the time - serving 4 years for researching a book to help medical marijuana patients grow their own medicine, as a collaborative effort with motivational author Peter McWilliams.(CannabisTV)”
2010 Todd McCormick and Joe Rogan discuss Cannabis facts and myths (podcast))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqcWo3qNLZE
Content Notes: This high-energy episode features Todd and Joe in a passionate and detailed discussion of the “War On Drugs” con game. Todd takes us through centuries of cannabis/hemp history in just minutes, revealing in a remarkable flow of words and ideas how entwined the Cannabis plant has been with global civilizations since time began.
(Viewer comment) This is the most amazing thing I have ever seen!! Ah Joe Rogan is the SHIT! I'll check out Todd McCormick. I like him already!
Joe Rogan #44 Todd McCormick (podcast - Part 1)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4UfTxUtljIE9j492wD7Mht
Content Notes: Todd and Joe drill down on the corporate interests that lie hidden behind Cannabis prohibition and talk more about the amazing history of hemp in all civilizations since ancient China, discussing some key books and little-known historical sources of cool and unusual Cannabis information.
Joe Rogan #44 Todd McCormick (podcast - Part 2)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/28nbdxDHScHN2XFpgGXnDQ
Content Notes: The energy of Part 1 continues with another fun one hour plus conversation ranging into topics like the evolution of the language around Cannabis, getting high in John Lilly’s isolation tank, and the story of how Joe changed from being a self-confessed ‘anti-pot fanatic’ to becoming an outspoken advocate for medical Cannabis and for full legalization.
2012
Cannabis Culture Awards - Press Conference with Award Recipients Ben Dronkers, Richard Branson and Todd McCormick
Part 1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QnDZiC_tP8
Content notes: Richard Branson introduces and speaks about Todd (10:25) who then moves into a highly detailed overview and interpretation of the history of hemp, which he then ties back with many original insights into today’s financial and political realities around Cannabis.
Part 2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N9j7GT1JWo
Content notes: Todd movingly discusses the ‘racial atrocity of the drug wars in America’ referring to what he saw and experienced during 5 years in Federal prison and before and after that on the streets.
(Viewer comment) good shit, Richard Branson has for a longtime been a supporter of legalized cannabis. If I remember rightly he even registered the patent in the UK for pre-rolled joints some years ago. Keep up the good work guy's! Free The Weed!
2012 Cannabis Culture Awards: Todd McCormick’s Acceptance Speech (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Neu3IqEbpC0
Content Notes: In Todd McCormick’s acceptance talk he provokes applause with the words- “The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge! It's what we all think we know about dope, what we think we know about marihuana, which is getting in our way of learning about what the truth is about this plant.”
Culture High Producer Todd McCormick (video)
MJ360.TV NEWS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK8RnOsvMsk
Content Notes: Todd McCormick speaks with Keeta Simone of The Movie and Music Network about his life as a child cancer patient and his discovery of marijuana as a medicine, how he then became a movie and event producer, a lifelong Cannabis patient, an unstoppable activist, and a respected cultural icon. Todd gives us a chilling but inspiring glimpse into his time in prison and the persecution he underwent at the hands of corrupt and dishonest Federal Government officials during and after incarceration.
2008: THE UNION: The Business Behind Getting High
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9Iw5dTe0Gg&list=PLo5437hzonJEz_uzHkj0NzdDrZ_M3ZH31&index=5
1995: The Magic Weed (1995) Marijuana Documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo4LKc4RFwc&list=PLo5437hzonJEz_uzHkj0NzdDrZ_M3ZH31&index=5
2010: Hempfest 2010: Todd McCormick - Stand Up For Your Rights
Vivian McPeak, Hempfest Founder & Todd McCormick
Vivian holds up the book: PROTESTIVAL: A 20-Year Retrospective, co-produced by Todd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DgbysMAxLk&list=PLo5437hzonJEz_uzHkj0NzdDrZ_M3ZH31&index=9
Content Notes: “Activist/Former Drug War Prisoner Todd McCormick speaks to the Seattle 2010 Hempfest crowd”. This was at the time when legalization was gaining full momentum in the Northwest, driving toward 2012 legalization. Todd talks about his shared experiences both with legalization in California and as a victim of Cannabis criminalization and lays out the imperative need to change these unjust laws at the state level immediately, regardless of how long federal reform might take.
The Culture High dvd segment on hemp (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiTjK-_j4f8
Content Notes: This is a short, powerful discussion of little-known facts such as the central role that hemp has played in the development of the automotive industry - “Hemp has engaged incredible amounts of human ingenuity”.
(Viewer comment) “This blew my mind woah thank God we have weed pioneers like you”
Talking Cannabis with Todd McCormick
12 July - Sept 2017 video episodes with top growers who are old friends sharing a lot of great insights around their growing knowledge and having high times with each other.
https://www.youtube.com/c/TalkingCannabis/featured
#1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1dUTJBBmVI
Content Notes: featuring Tom Alexander. Sam the Skunk Man, Kenny Morrow, Etienne Fontan, and Richard Rose
#2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRi2jZ_fp50
Content Notes: featuring Mel Frank, Tom Alexander, Sam the Skunk Man, Kenny Morrow, and Etienne Fontan
#3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5ouEHWRQ1Y
Content Notes: featuring Mel Frank, Tom Alexander, Sam the Skunk Man, Kenny Morrow, and Richard Rose
#4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PONDD84-Dvk
Content Notes: featuring Sam the Skunk Man, Kenny Morrow, Etienne Fontan, and Richard Rose
#5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVpkTYMcvks
Content Notes: featuring Mel Frank, Tom Alexander, Sam the Skunk Man, Kenny Morrow, Etienne Fontan, and Ryan
#6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZirQEgdY1lY
Content Notes: featuring Tom Alexander, Sam the Skunk Man, Kenny Morrow, Etienne Fontan, and Richard Rose
#7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuYUeOQ74MU
Content Notes: Kenny Morrow and special guest Jeff Lowenfels, author of: Teaming with Microbes, Teaming with Nutrients & Teaming with Fungi
#8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqvPOFWiWCI
Content Notes: featuring Tom Alexander, Sam the Skunk Man, Kenny Morrow, Ryan - Chimera Genetics, Etienne Fontan, and Richard Rose
#9
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhO05YCxjc0
Content Notes: Topics: CO2 Extraction and Terpene Preservation (plus) Beneficial Bugs - Are they always beneficial? Featuring: Mel Frank, Tom Alexander, Sam the Skunk Man, Kenny Morrow, Ryan - Chimera Genetics, Etienne Fontan
#10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sykw-QQs2d0
Content Notes: Topics: The Rohrabacher–Farr amendment and what it may mean to the cannabis industry (plus) The history of Sinsemilla Tips and Growing Edge by the publisher Tom Alexander. Featuring: Tom Alexander, Sam the Skunk Man, Kenny Morrow, and Etienne Fontan
#11
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CTByybKVcc
Content Notes: Topic: talking with Rick Doblin of www.maps.org; Featuring Tom Alexander, Sam the Skunk Man, Etienne Fontan