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Step back into the height of the 1970s drug trade in this gritty true crime story from the counterculture era. Host Todd Denkin sits down with Cecil Rogers, a former smuggler who worked alongside kingpin Bruce Perlowin and went on to write Riding the Tide. Together, they dive into the untold chapters of cannabis history, breaking down the chaotic reality of maritime weed smuggling and all the unexpected glitches, near-misses, and mechanical failures that happen when you're boat riding through treacherous waters under the Golden Gate Bridge while evading the DEA and FBI during federal prohibition. As maritime operations pushed deeper into high-stakes drug trafficking, surviving the unpredictable sea and ruthless organized crime networks took nerves of steel. Hear firsthand what went wrong behind the scenes of vintage marijuana smuggling runs, how close these crews came to disaster, and what it was really like operating on the front lines for the legendary King of Pot.

Step inside the untold true crime story of America's original drug kingpin, Bruce Perlowin, alongside host Todd Denkin. Long before the era of modern cannabis legalization, medical marijuana, and recreational cannabis, massive operations were built from the ground up during the wild vintage era of the 1970s and 80s. Dive deep into the raw reality of cannabis smuggling, marijuana trafficking, and the extreme risks of drug dealing—rivaling the infamous chaos of the cocaine cowboys. Explore the highs and lows of the booming weed empire, from cold cases and strict marijuana laws to the psychological toll of cannabis addiction and the sheer scale of illicit weed money. As cannabis culture shifted from high-stakes smuggling stories to today's legitimate cannabis industry focused on THC, CBD, and reform, this episode unpacks what it really took to build, run, and survive the nation's most notorious trafficking network. #TrueCrime #KingOfPot #BrucePerlowin #CannabisHistory #SmugglingStories From Becoming the King of Pot — the true story of America's most notorious marijuana smuggler, Bruce Perlowin. ▶ Full episodes: https://youtube.com/@becomingtkop?si=80KKcy2wIzcSrek8?sub_confirmation=1

In this episode of Becoming the King of Pot, host Todd Denkin sits down with legendary marijuana kingpin Bruce Perlowin to reveal explosive smuggling stories from the front lines of the 1970s counterculture. Before building a massive weed empire, Bruce operated at ground zero in South Florida just as the era of the violent cocaine cowboys began to collide with the laid-back hippie mafia. Discover how the early pioneers of cannabis smuggling laid down the nautical routes, radio networks, and offload docks that unintended traffickers later co-opted, and why Bruce made the pivotal decision to abandon Miami for California rather than trade peace and cannabis culture for paranoia, bloodshed, and easy weed money. Diving deep into the vintage era of marijuana trafficking and true crime, Bruce breaks down the stark psychological contrast between dealing THC and moving hard stimulants. While the modern cannabis industry pushes forward through medical marijuana, recreational cannabis, and evolving marijuana laws toward total cannabis legalization, this raw discussion explores cold cases, drug dealing, addiction, and the dark consequences of Nixon’s War on Drugs. Hear firsthand how high-stakes maritime runs, rogue crews, and billions in black-market pot shaped the American underground before legalization took hold. #TrueCrime #KingOfPot #BrucePerlowin #CannabisHistory #SmugglingStories From Becoming the King of Pot — the true story of America's most notorious marijuana smuggler, Bruce Perlowin. ▶ Full episodes: https://youtube.com/@becomingtkop?si=80KKcy2wIzcSrek8?sub\_confirmation=1

Step inside the high-stakes world of true crime and vintage smuggling stories, where the line between counterculture rebellion and massive weed money blurred. Long before today’s era of recreational cannabis, medical marijuana, and shifting marijuana laws, building a cannabis empire meant navigating dangerous drug dealing networks and evading federal authorities. Reminiscent of the legendary cocaine cowboys era, this look into early marijuana trafficking explores how Bruce Perlowin and Todd Denkin carved out their place in cannabis culture, risking everything to move massive shipments of weed and THC across borders. Beyond the thrills of outlaw cannabis smuggling, this story dives into the reality behind running a billion-dollar weed empire. Examine the personal costs, the complexities of drug kingpin operations, and the evolving perception of pot from cold cases and outlaw contraband to the modern cannabis industry. Whether you are fascinated by true crime history or the roots of cannabis legalization, this inside look unpacks the true grit and drama behind one of America's most audacious smuggling sagas. #TrueCrime #KingOfPot #BrucePerlowin #CannabisHistory #SmugglingStories From Becoming the King of Pot — the true story of America's most notorious marijuana smuggler, Bruce Perlowin.

In this episode of Becoming the King of Pot, host Todd Denkin sits down with legendary former drug kingpin Bruce Perlowin to explore how 1970s cannabis smuggling and marijuana trafficking laid the groundwork for today's global cannabis industry. Long before modern dispensaries were stocked with high-potency THC and CBD products, vintage counterculture smugglers built a massive weed empire by distributing pot across college campuses nationwide. From navigating the era of cocaine cowboys and high-stakes drug dealing to reflecting on how Nixon’s War on Drugs birthed new eras of organized crime and true crime cold cases, Bruce shares captivating smuggling stories that reveal what it truly took to move millions of pounds of marijuana across America. Moving from historical outlaw roots to modern marijuana laws, Todd and Bruce analyze the massive shift toward widespread cannabis legalization and the rise of both medical marijuana and recreational cannabis. They break down how cannabis culture has evolved from early prohibition propaganda to a multi-billion-dollar market fueled by weed money, while also examining complex societal discussions surrounding cannabis addiction, public health, and federal Schedule III reclassification. Explaining the science of the endocannabinoid system and terpene profiles, this episode bridges the gap between historical black-market drug operations and the future of industrial hemp and legal market expansion. #BecomingTheKingOfPot #BrucePerlowin #ToddDenkin #TrueCrime #SmugglingStories #CannabisHistory #MarijuanaSmuggling #CannabisCulture #MarijuanaLegalization #TNMNews #WeedStories #DrugTrafficking #crimepodcastdeutsch 🔔 Subscribe to Becoming the King of Pot for weekly episodes, untold smuggling stories, and deep dives into cannabis history with Bruce Perlowin and Todd Denkin!

Join host Todd Denkin on Becoming The King of Pot as legendary figure Steven Kalish shares his unbelievable journey from high-profile drug kingpin to building a wildly successful life after prison. Drawing parallels to Bruce Perlowin and the vintage cocaine cowboys era, Steven opens up about the high-stakes world of vintage cannabis smuggling, massive marijuana trafficking rings, and the untold smuggling stories behind laundering millions in weed money during a pivotal era of counterculture and cold cases. Beyond the illicit drug dealing and operations of the past, this episode explores the mindset required to pivot from federal time to legit enterprise. Dive into candid discussions on cannabis culture, cannabis addiction, early marijuana laws, and the remarkable transformation of the modern cannabis industry—from underground pot syndicates to the rise of medical marijuana, recreational cannabis, THC, and CBD in the era of cannabis legalization. Check out Steven’s book THE LAST GENTLEMAN SMUGGLER  https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=FJkblB29IjjDdXM7f3i09RAPUdrcsZSaGNvzyn3tV3p Or the hard cover version: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=aigb7gOEC82vouy5kTowNBofKwykO4T84Vl8JmOmRP3 MAHALO AINA SANCTUARY - https://www.mahaloainasanctuary.com/ Mahalo Aina means “thank you land”. We offer retreats, education & healing in herbalism, aromatherapy, bodywork & equestrian arts here on Hawaii’s Big Island. #TrueCrime #KingOfPot #BrucePerlowin #CannabisHistory #SmugglingStories From Becoming the King of Pot — the true story of America's most notorious marijuana smuggler, Bruce Perlowin.  ▶ Full episodes: https://youtube.com/@BecomingTKOP?si=80KKcy2wIzcSrek8?sub_confirmation=1

In this episode of Becoming the King of Pot, Bruce FINALLY gets to tell his story about Joe Chagra and bring to light the truth behind his charges.

Step into the underground world of the ultimate drug kingpin in this look at the Bruce Perlowin weed empire. From the daring smuggling stories of the vintage era to the high-stakes life of a smuggler, we explore the rise of the King of Pot. Discover how marijuana trafficking and the cannabis culture of the 1970s paved the way for the modern cannabis industry, blending true crime with the legacy of vintage cannabis history. This episode delves deep into the reality of being a smuggler during the era of cocaine cowboys, exploring everything from the mechanics of drug dealing to the shift toward cannabis legalization and medical marijuana. Join Bruce Perlowin and Todd Denkin as they recount tales of weed money, the impact of cannabis addiction, and the evolving marijuana laws that shaped today's recreational cannabis landscape. It’s a true crime journey through cold cases and the counterculture that defined a generation. #TrueCrime #KingOfPot #BrucePerlowin #CannabisHistory #SmugglingStories From Becoming the King of Pot — the true story of America's most notorious marijuana smuggler, Bruce Perlowin.  ▶ Full episodes: https://youtube.com/@BecomingTKOP?si=80KKcy2wIzcSrek8?sub_confirmation=1

Dive into the high-stakes world of a true crime weed empire with Bruce Perlowin and Todd Denkin as they uncover legendary cannabis smuggling stories from the counterculture era. In this episode, the "Gentleman Smuggler" Steven Kalish details the downfall of his massive operation, comparing his multi-million dollar asset forfeitures to the legendary era of the cocaine cowboys. From a sneaky last-minute $1M private jet sale to Panama to a massive standoff with U.S. Marshals, this firsthand look at the vintage cannabis industry exposes the raw reality of drug dealing, marijuana trafficking, and navigating strict marijuana laws.

In this episode of Becoming the King of Pot, Steven Kalish is back. Find out how Steven's lifestyle changed dramatically when he finally got caught.

In this episode of Becoming the King of Pot, Bruce finally discusses getting out of prison and reintegrating back into society.

In this episode of Becoming the King of Pot, Bruce recounts college life as an inmate.

In this episode of Becoming the King of Pot, Bruce recounts some more love stories featuring his wife, Svetlana. Find out how these two continued their relationship beyond prison and how Bruce managed to uncover more secrets of Svetlana's spy past.

Bruce Perlowin tells the story of his wife, Svetlana Ogorodnikova — the former Soviet spy he met behind bars at FCI Pleasanton, one of the only co-ed federal prisons in the country at the time. Before she met Bruce, Svetlana was at the center of one of the most sensational espionage cases in American history. In 1985 she pleaded guilty to conspiring with FBI agent Richard Miller — the first FBI agent ever charged with spying — to pass secrets to the Soviet Union. She was sentenced to 18 years. The case became the most-watched 60 Minutes broadcast the show had ever aired. Bruce and Svetlana met inside Pleasanton, married after her release, and have been together ever since. In this episode, Bruce shares the story of her life, their unlikely prison romance, and everything that came after. 🎙 Becoming the King of Pot — the true story of America's most notorious marijuana smuggler, Bruce Perlowin, told with his cousin Todd Denkin. ▶ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@BecomingTKOP 🌐 Website: https://becomingtkop.com 🎧 Also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music & iHeart — search "Becoming the King of Pot" #KingOfPot #BrucePerlowin #TrueCrime #CannabisHistory #SmugglingStories