Interview with Malcolm MacKinnon
, former Editor-in-Chief High Times Magazine - January 25, 2022
Do the Magazine High Times bring back pleasant memories? Malcolm MacKinnon is responsible for over twenty of the High Times Covers. Do the names Arlo Guthrie, Peter Fonda, Tommy Chong, Woody Harrelson, Snoop Dog, Melissa Ethridge, sound familiar to you? The are just a few of the change agents Malcolm MacKinnon has photographed and interviewed over they years.
The interview and videos will be available here January 25. It is a three part series, that will be made available here over the three following weeks.
Malcolm MacKinnon is a veteran photojournalist and writer. His work has been published in over 200 publications worldwide. He has interviewed and photographed a wide range of celebrities. In addition, he has amassed a vast archive of Native American imagery. Malcolm is also widely considered to be one of the foremost cannabis photographers in the world. He frequently uses the pen name of "Dan Skye." Currently, he is mounting the first of three books of his photography.
Prior to his career in photography, he was a New York City-based actor, working in off-Broadway theater and regional theater. He also traveled in his one-man mime tour for the Tennessee Performing Arts Foundation. He transitioned into the fitness industry at the onset of America’s fitness boom in the early ‘80s. He became fitness director for New York Sports Club and taught thousands of exercise classes. In 1989, he was part of the Pro Reebok team and traveling to Japan to teach aerobics.
He is the former editor-in-chief of HIGH TIMES magazine. He also served as executive editor of HEMP TIMES, a sister publication (1996-1999). A long-time photographer, he began freelancing for the magazine in 1989. During his 25-year career with HIGH TIMES (1991-2017), he shot over 50 covers and centerfolds and traveled over a million miles on assignments, becoming the most published writer and photographer in the magazine's history.
For over 30 years, Malcolm has also covered Native American issues. He has interviewed and photographed numerous Native American leaders including Russell Means, Dennis Banks, John Trudell, Clyde and Vernon Bellecourt and Winona LaDuke, among others. He is a long-time advocate for the release of Leonard Peltier, who has now served over 45 years in federal prison, victim of one of the worst miscarriages of justice in U.S. history. Behind bars, Leonard has become an outstanding painter and has frequently used Malcolm’s photographs for his artwork.
He is currently working two books that will be books that will be game changers. POT SHOTS: Journey of a HIGH TIMES Photographer will document his 30 year career covering the world of cannabis.
He has shared his passion for photography between the world of cannabis and Native American Life.
Malcolm currently lives in New York City with his wife of 42 years. He has two children and two grandchildren.
