Cannabis and Skateboarding With DGK

DGK High Times Collaboration Interview

Skateboarding and Marijuana Culture - Talking Shop with DGK from CannabisNet on Vimeo.

Cannabis has always been part of skateboarding culture.

Unfortunately, both skateboarding and cannabis cultures have been subject to unjust social stigma: society once thought of “stoners” as lazy, unproductive couch potatoes; while skateboarders were thought to appeal only to the “outsiders”.

But it’s 2018 and the tides have changed.

Twenty-nine states and Washington DC have medical cannabis regulations in place, while 8 states and DC have legalized recreational cannabis. The upcoming 2020 Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo will also be the very first in history to feature skateboarding in the games.

It’s no longer uncommon for cannabis users and skateboarders to achieve a great deal of success, especially when the two cultures collide. Take Stevie Williams, for one. Williams is a professional skateboarder, and is among the ranks of the 30 Most Influential Skaters of All Time. Williams is also the founder and co-owner of DGK skating gear and apparel. Then there’s pro skateboarder Chewy Cannon, who’s backed up by sponsors such as adidas, Palace, Picture Wheels, and Thunder, among others. Cannon is open about his love for pot – having said to easily go through half an ounce of weed easily on some days.

In celebration of cannabis and skateboarding culture, Cannabis.net spoke to George Sallee, who tells us more about the exciting collaboration of DGK and High Times. The result is a fusion of skating and cannabis lifestyle, a joint effort between two of the biggest names in their respective fields. DGK is more than just a skater clothing line – it’s a brand with a heart, and a story to tell. On the other hand, High Times has carved a niche for itself in the cannabis culture long before cannabis was mainstream. Both brands have been instrumental in helping their respective counter cultures take root, so to speak.

Where did the name DGK come from? DGK stands for Dirt Ghetto Kids, its the name of a company started by professional skateboarder named Stevie Williams. The title comes from his story. He was a young and upcoming skateboarder early in his career, he fell on hard times and was homeless for a little while. One of his friends who had a lot of success in the industry convinced him to get back into it and start his own company.
What sparked the collaboration with High Times? High Times, with new ownership in the changing realm of Legal Cannabis is one of the brands that has been part of the business for over 45 years now, since 1974. Cannabis has always been part associated with the culture in Skateboarding, weather it be for recreational purposes or one of the many medical applications of cannabis products for athletes.
Please tell us more about the Seed to Flower capsule collection. Are there new designs and products in the pipeline? The Seed to Flower collab was a fun project to start crossing the gap between the two industries while also showing support for the growing legalization through education, information, and attention.
What do you hope to achieve for the skater culture through the collaboration? With Skate Culture, you see a similar trajectory as something that started as a "Counter Culture." Cannabis has always been its own counter culture. The history of cannabis and skateboarding have been intertwined for so long that its a logical progression from a business and cultural standpoint.
Have you worked with other cannabis companies in the past? In the past, we have done collaborations with Urban Streetware company Black Scale and Artist Ron English that have had success within their realm.
How do you think the cannabis-skateboarding culture will evolve as more states begin to legalize cannabis? As more states legalize cannabis, you will see a shift from that taboo counter culture view. Big business will change the scope of the cannabis industry as the benefits of the THC, CBD, and hemp ripple through the economy. Whether its health and wellness, juice bar and cafe, hospitality and tourism, apparel, sports, the applications are limitless.