I left NORML in mid-2012 to pursue a broader mission dedicated to all drug policy. From 2012–2017 I produced The Russ Belville Show, reporting live from the first states to legalize marijuana and the first Cannabis Cup events to be held in America. The production also continued the second hour Toker Talk Radio call-in program.
Both of these programs were in rotation on the new livestream marijuana podcasting network I created, 420RADIO.org. It was the culmination of the dream I had for The NORML Network that never got the level of buy-in from the organization that I had hoped. With both legalization of marijuana and the advent of the podcasting revolution happening side-by-side, I saw the perfect opportunity for NORML to capitalize on their well-recognized brand to become the education, culture, and lifestyle brand for the newly legalized cannabis consumer. (These days, with the dominance of pot-smoking “brocasters” like Joe Rogan and the emergence of podcast networks, I’d say my vision was prescient.)
On 420RADIO. you could tune in for replays of my podcasts as well as other regional independent marijuana podcasts and music shows like Urb Thrasher Flower Hour. RedEyez Reggae, Big Daddy Fink’s Funky Roller Rink, and The Grateful Dead Hour.