By Justin Cannabis
When you think of cannabis legends hailing from Texas, Willie Nelson, Woody Harrelson and maybe even Matthew McConaughey come to mind. High Times has featured these and many other marijuana advocates from the Lone Star State over the years. But there’s an underground cannabis-culture powerhouse that also flies the green flag proudly—the skateboarders of Texas.
Skateboarding thrives on style, creativity and consistently pushing the boundaries of what is possible. And, as any skater of any skill level can attest, there’s a price to pay in pain with this sport. Fortunately, it just so happens that cannabis shines in each of these areas, helping skaters dream up their next impossible trick and manage the pain when they inevitably fall.
Cannabis can help with relaxation and focus, allowing skaters to visualize and conquer their next line on the streets or in the pool. Anxiety can be another session killer for many skaters, and pot can help take the edge off of any jumpy nerves. After a long session and a sweet smoke, cannabis topicals are highly effective at soothing the sore muscles and scrapes that come with the territory.
Recently, I reached out to some skaters for their take on cannabis use in skateboarding, and the message was clear, straight-up harmony.
I met up with Texas’s own Embassy Skateboards team when they were in town for one of the biggest competitions of the year, the Vans Pool Party—an invite-only affair featuring some of the hottest skaters on the planet. This was the last year they’d be running the contest out of a giant mall in Orange County, southeast