The rain moved in at 5:30 p.m., washing out our Medical Cannabis Cup Awards ceremony in Clio, MI yesterday. But we didn’t want to leave until we honored Charles “Chuck” Ream with the High Times Lester Grinspoon Lifetime Achievement Award

Ask anyone in Michigan who the most revered Michigan activist is and they’ll answer without a hitch: “Chuck Ream.” Chuck is a tireless advocate for cannabis, exhibiting more energy and enthusiasm for the cause than activists a third his age.

Born in Three Rivers, MI in 1946, he was a child who read books, played sports and grew plants. He was lucky to go to high school in Australia, where he was forced to take academics seriously. He holds three university degrees, graduating magna cum laude as an undergraduate. He taught kindergarten in Monroe, MI for 33 years, a profession which he loved and often longs to return. He is married and has three exemplary adult children.

Chuck was elected five times as a trustee of Scio Township (both as a Republican and as a Democrat. In 2004 he “retired” to lead the Ann Arbor medical marijuana campaign to victory; 3 out of 4 voters said “yes.” Since then he has led or funded a number of other citywide victories, particularly in Kalamazoo and Ypsilanti. He formed the Safer Michigan Coalition to unite all of Michigan’s toughest and most effective cannabis activists.

Chuck partnered with Tim Beck to create the Safer Michigan Coalition. He says, that in 2014 “We plan to seal the doom of cannabis prohibition with up to 18 local Michigan victories.”

For his stalwart advocacy and energetic spirit, it is our honor to present Charles “Chuck” Ream with the High Times Lester Grinspoon Lifetime Achievement Award.  Congratulations, Chuck!