Ed Rosenthal (born Bronx, New York, 1944) is a California horticulturist, author, publisher, and Cannabis grower known for his advocacy for the legalization of marijuana (cannabis as a drug) use. He served as a columnist for High Times Magazine during the 80's and 90's.  He was arrested in 2002 for cultivation of cannabis by federal authorities, who do not recognize the authority of states to regulate the use of medical marijuana. He was convicted in Federal Court, but the conviction was overturned on appeal. Rosenthal was subsequently convicted again, but was not re-sentenced, since his original sentence had been completed. Rosenthal briefly attended Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio

Mr. Rosenthal is recognized worldwide as a leading authority on marijuana. Over three decades he has written or edited more than a dozen seminal books about marijuana cultivation and social policy that have cumulatively sold over one million copies around the globe. Notably, his first book, Marijuana Grower's Handbook, is the only title on marijuana cultivation to be reviewed by The New York Times Book Review. His trademarked "Ask Ed" advice column has been in circulation for two decades & continues to answer questions on all matters marijuana from readers around the world. He also hosts "The 420 Report," a monthly radio show on KPFA-Berkeley that blends politics and culture with news, music and call-ins.

Mr. Rosenthal was one of the original American writers to travel to Holland bringing back with him both European knowledge and sophistication about cannabis. He has visited countless marijuana gardens, gathering information about the most effective techniques for growing cannabis. He is a member of the International Cannabis Research Society and the Garden Writers Association of America. On the judicial front, Mr. Rosenthal has served as an expert witness on marijuana cultivation in federal and state trials. He also has also been active in promoting and developing policies of civil regulation for marijuana, advising California legislators and working on both local and nationally on relevant political campaigns. He predicts that by the year 2005 marijuana will be regulated in the U.S. in the same manner as tobacco and alcohol.

Rosenthal has also been active in promoting and developing policies of civil regulation for medical marijuana. Since the passage of California's pioneering Prop 215 in 1996, which authorizes medicinal use of marijuana, he has worked with the state's growers, dispensaries, and local governments to standardize and implement the delivery of pharmaceutical grade cannabis to patients.

US v Ed Rosenthal

On February 12, 2002, Ed was arrested by federal agents for applying his knowledge and helping patients to use medical marijuana. He has since been convicted of three counts of cultivation and conspiracy. In a stunning setback for the federal government, he was sentenced on June 4th, 2003 to one-day in prison and a $1,000 fine. He'd faced a statutory maximum of 100 years imprisonment and possible fines up to $4.5 million.

On May 31, 2007, it was announced that Rosenthal had been convicted again on three of the five charges against him: one conspiracy count; one count of cultivation, intending to distribute and distributing marijuana; and one count of using a commercial building as a site for growing and distributing marijuana. He was acquitted of growing and distributing marijuana at the Harm Reduction Center medical-marijuana club in San Francisco. The jury deadlocked on whether he had conspired to grow and distribute marijuana at the Harm Reduction Center. Judge Breyer once again prohibited Rosenthal's lawyers from arguing before the jury that his work was sanctioned by Oakland government officials, a main point of contention for the jurors of the previous trial. Ed Rosenthal did not receive any additional jail time and planned to appeal

Ed is a threat to many in the federal government and their efforts to continue the War on Drugs. Having observed government policies in Europe and Canada that now recognize the beneficial applications of cannabis, he is an out spoken advocate for similar advances within the United States. For many, Rosenthal's situation focuses attention on the fact that the laws have become more harmful to society than what they were intended to regulate. The current administration is further threatened by the probability that Ed's acquittal will stop their interference with the right of states and voters to regulate their own health and welfare, as California has done with Prop. 215.

Mr.Rosenthal is the founder and owner of Quick Trading Company in Piedmont, California. Quick Trading publishes the yearly Big Book of Buds Calendar, the Big Book of Buds series, Marijuana Buds for Less, Cultivating Exceptional Cannabis, Closet Cultivator, Dank: The Quest for the Very Best Marijuana, Joint Rolling Handbook, Marijuana Garden Saver, and Marijuana Herbal cookbook among others.

In the summer of 2009 Ed joined Cannabis Planet TV.  The first televison show broadcast.  Cannabis Planet is a weekly, 30 minute television program that explores the merits of Cannabis as a Medicine, Industrial Resource, Agricultural Crop and more.  The show airs every Friday & Saturday at 10:30 pm. KJLA TV, Los Angeles. Check your local listings & the T.V. Guide.