Pot TV
Pot TV is a web-based video channel owned by Canadian cannabis activist Marc Emery. Jeremiah Vandermeer (of Cannabis Culture Magazine) is Editor-in-Chief of the station.
The channel has been used as a forum for activism in the fight over the legalization of marijuana by the renowned "Prince of Pot" Marc Emery and others. It has existed since the Spring of 1999, with broadcasts coming from Marc Emery's Sunshine Coast basement.
Contributors include Greg Williams – known as Marijuana Man – who along with Marc Emery and Michelle Rainey was arrested in July 2005 by Canadian police at the request of the US government following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Guests have included former Texas drug enforcement officer Barry Cooper.
Featured programs included:
- "The Big Toke", a "cannabis comedy hour"
- "The Grow Show"
- "Cannabis Common Sense"
- "Shake 'n Bake", a cannabis cooking show
- "Healing Herb Hour", exploring medical marijuana
- "Prince of Pot", Marc Emery's personal show
- "Yours in Defence", a legal discussion concerning cannabis
- "The Tommie Morgan Show", reality show from Oklahoma
- "Burning Shiva", exploring the role of cannabis in ancient religions with author and former Pot TV station manager Chris Bennett.
Current status
The station was originally funded with revenues from Marc Emery's marijuana seed selling business. Following the arrest of Emery and the end of his seed sales in 2005 Pot TV's budget was reduced dramatically, with staff and funding for new content cut. However, using user-generated content in conjunction with modern video tools like YouTube and BitTorrent, the station has been able to reduce streaming costs and continue to provide access to new content.
As of 2011 Pot TV has been producing several live shows per day from Vancouver and Toronto including on-location coverage of cannabis events.
