HIGH TIMES Magazine represented at the PHISH Benefit for Vermont Flood Recovery in the Green Mountain State. (Note: Vermont is one of 16 states – and the District of Columbia – to have approved marijuana for medicinal use. We strongly stand behind Vermont and its legal initiatives for growers, caregivers and patients' rights to medical cannabis.) Proceeds from the concert and merchandise sales were donated directly to [link|http://phish.com/#/waterwheel|The WaterWheel Foundation] and [link|http://www.vermontcf.org/|The Vermont Community Foundation] and will be used to assist those impacted by Hurricane Irene.
 
While on assignment for an upcoming article about Phish for the February 2012 issue, HIGH TIMES Managing Editor Jen Bernstein captured video (see below) of Phish bassist Mike Gordon introducing Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin to the crowd of 12,000 at Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, VT. Governor Shumlin welcomed back the much-missed hometown heroes after a seven-year absence (Phish hadn’t played in Vermont since Coventry in 2004). Gov Shumlin stuck around for the performance and enjoyed the show so much that he was seen dancing in the crowd.
 
[youtube|http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0SAQJhaaUI]