Weed is a state of mind that has not always been best represented on camera. You can watch a show about weed filled with joints and flower galore, but it might not really be an authentic weed show — waz up, Weeds? — while the sublime High Maintenance is ostensibly about a weed guy, but is truly about so much more. In this world of image-filtered, brand-oriented, algorithm-induced curating, we still have the ability to look beyond the surface. It's wonderful to dive deep, and find out a seemingly square American icon like Harrison Ford is a big stoner.The cannabis ethos in a show isn't always on the surface, but less obvious cannabis nods within shows allow us to feel a kindred spirit. We've dug up a few gems that we feel are steeped in weed. Even when weed isn't on screen in these shows, it's in the spirit of their creators, and in the audience relishing in THC glory. Once you get beyond stereotypical stoner content that's full of bong rips and smoke-filled rooms, there's an ethos that shines through in these wonderful examples of weed-inspired TV.
Rick and Morty
Some shows are secretly weed-laden with winks and nods, especially in the animated comedy genre, but Rick and Morty is devoid of such Easter eggs. Even so, it is categorically beloved by the cannabis nerd world. It is not a show about weed, but it is one of the most stellar examples of a show that seems to be living streaming directly from a broadcast tower made of pure THC. What we see and hear within this stellar delight of a show is most definitely made for weed people! The existential hilarity of this bizarre cartoon family, without any direct storyline about cannabis, perfectly encapsulates all its glory. Pair with: edibles. Eat edibles, and get comfy. Rick and Morty is a binge for a couch-locked good time.
Mad Men
Once you look past the period trappings and Jon Hamm’s raw toxic masculine handsomeness, you can see that Mad Men is about the transition from a drunken 1950s boys' club to the cannabis-embracing ‘60s counterculture. The scenes where weed is first introduced to the characters not only perfectly exemplifies this generation gap, but allows the show to creatively break free of the confines of a racist, misogynistic culture that was stifling the characters to begin with. The superficial subject of advertising is a ruse — look beyond the pitches and suits, and you'll see that it's all about introducing weed to the creative workplace. And it's this revelation that allows for the mind-expanding counterculture and its inevitable assimilation into the mainstream. As in most avante garde movements, it eventually become the vey culture it was originally countering. Yippies became stockbrokers, idealistic revolutionaries turned into suburban taxpayers. Buy in and watch Mad Men with copious amounts of OG Kush smoking to allow for a smooth, very watchable experience.
Dinosaurs
As subtle as a high concentrate dab rip, the puppet sitcom Dinosaurs is hilarious, and every episode is a joy.In “The New Leaf,” the show dives deep into cannabis parody, balancing silliness with satire in a way that never feels redundant. The Dinosaurs discover a happy plant that quickly becomes a mind-opening experience. What's also amazing is that it's on Disney, and like other family shows — The Family Guy, The Simpsons, etc. — the layers of humor allow for everyone to find it funny, whether or not they're in on the joke. This show screams for a sativa like Sour Diesel, which somehow seems Paleolithic.
Taxi
Taxi is the show that taught me you could eat weed, which was a goal not achieved until many years after I first viewed it as a kid. It's a classic scene where we learn of James Ignatowski’s not-so-humble beginnings as a rich preppy student who ate a pot brownie, which lead him to a life of free love and drugs. This could be seen as a proliferation of the old fallacy against cannabis as a gateway drug. Science and society have changed their tune on that, but I choose to see this as a young spiritual icon’s awakening to all that is glorious in the weed universe. It's the birth of an iconic weed dude. And check out a young Tom Hanks!! Taxi was an amazing show, anchored by Christopher Lloyd's comedy, Andy Kaufman’s eccentricity and Danny DeVito’s Gollum-like Louie. It's just one of those once-in-a-millennium TV shows. Binge it with some Gelato — and don’t call an Uber. This is Taxi, man.
Abla Fahita: Drama Queen
This controversial puppet has been satirizing Middle Eastern politics in her native Egypt for over a decade. She's breaking taboos, and begging to join the ranks of the great satirical puppets around the globe. Netflix released her first offering for American audiences, Drama Queen, on March 15, 2021, so it's brand new to enjoy while high! Abla is a whirlwind of feminine power, a delightful mashup of Miss Piggy and Gloria Swanson from Sunset Boulevard, and the show is a murder mystery to boot. While Abla may not get high, her world is the perfect conduit to escape our reality — and the correct amount of indica can create a path to a new hilarious dimension while you watch.