Hightimes Holding Corp. announced Neil Watanabe is joining the organization as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective immediately. Watanabe joins Hightimes from US Auto Parts Inc., where he served as CFO for one of the large e-commerce aftermarket automotive parts resellers through their proprietary ecommerce sites including eBay and Amazon.

Watanabe brings with him an extensive background in retail operations, strategic planning and operational management, along with a deep appreciation for High Times and its unique position in the growing cannabis ecosystem. Watanabe will report directly to Kraig Fox. He will succeed David Newberg, who has served as Hightimes's CFO for the past two years.

Newberg will remain at Hightimes and will report to Wanatanabe as the Vice President of Finance.