Weed and comedy go together perfectly - something about the combination just makes for good times. They don't call cannabis 'Giggle Bush' for nothing. The way THC interacts with parts of our brain responsible for mood regulation opens us up and makes us more susceptible to a good gag, leading to bouts of uncontrollable laughter
As far back as the 1960s, comedians have been riffing on pot use in their acts. One of what's been dubbed 'The Holy Trinity' of stand-up comedy (alongside Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor), the late, great, George Carlin, once said "I always have a joint near" and has alluded to using a hit of marijuana to punch up his writing. Carlin spoke the truth from the stage more than most, but his real-life assertion that cannabis can grease the wheels of creativity is nothing new - a good chunk of the poetry, writing, and music of the 20th Century has been attributed to the wonders of weed by those who created the works. - flying in the face of the results of this study. Indeed, the list of anecdotal evidence from cannabis users who swear the herb sparks the creative brain is longer than the queue for Chapelle tickets.
Comedians have long played the role of society's jesters, daring to speak truths that others might shy away from. This is particularly evident in their takes on cannabis, a topic that, despite its controversy, has found a unique home in the world of stand-up comedy. It's in these humorous anecdotes and observations where comedians manage to combine hilarity with honesty, often revealing deeper societal attitudes towards cannabis use. From Louis CK's blunt observations to Joe Rogan's philosophical musings, each comedian brings a distinct flavor to this shared theme. And while stand-up comedy is always a good choice when you're high, not all comics make room for it in their ac. But what of those who do? We take a look at some of the top comedians who have covered pot in their set - and we'd happily share a spliff with any of them.
This is stand-up comedy, so it's safe to say these clips are decidedly NSFW.
Louis CK
Louis CK covers the subject of smoking pot with the type of side-splitting anecdotes he's become famous for. Reminiscing about smoking with fans after a show, CK reveals he couldn't handle the strength of modern cannabis, revealing that he didn't realise "they were working on it like it was the cure for cancer", referring to modern breeding techniques and labwork that led to the insane jump in THC levels of today's top-tier strains. Watch as he effotrtlessly reels off the story of his smoking experience, which quickly turned into a nightmare as he learned the hard way that the casual pot-smoking days of his youth have given way to an altogether different level of high.
CK is the type of comedian who can write memorable bits on any topic, from parenting to pot use, weaving stories together like a master raconteur, and here he discusses his internal monolog in a way that suggests this experience is for real, articulating the thoughts from his completely wasted and paranoid mind as he struggles to come to terms with the potency of modern cannabis.
Katt Williams
Choosing your favorite Katt Williams bit about pot is ike trying to choose a strain in a dispensary - there's so many of them, how can you possibly narrow it down to one? Existing just outside the mainstream, riffing about smoking weed is practically his bread and butter. Williams make no secret of the fact that he's a seasoned stoner, sharing stories about smoking with Snoop, why people should smoke weed, using a vaporizer, and the strength of modern cannabis. In this scene, Williams waxes lyrical about discovering cannabis dispensaries. WARNING: This clip contains language which may offend.
Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan is a true renaissance man of the 21st century - you name it, he does it, and he invariably does it to the highest level. UFC commentator, host of the world's biggest podcast, stand up comedian - he's among the cream of the crop in all aspects of career. The best part? He's still a grounded, down-to-earth dude who loves conversations and smokes weed. As one of the internet's most widely-published voices on the push to legalize cannabis for its medical, relaxative and creative effects, Rogan - who didn't begin his cannabis journey until turning 30 - has held countless conversations in which he states the case for a pro-marijuana society. But in his stand-up comedy, he takes it to another level. Watch him absolutely dismantle the crowd with this absolutely killer bit on edibles. Not only is it funny, but Rogan proves he knows his onions by dropping some legit science on how edibles getcha:
Tom Segura
Actor, comedian, writer and podcaster Tom Segura knows his pot. As a regular guest on the JRE podcast, Seguar shares a love of the good stuff with the world's biggest podcaster, and it makes sense that it's worked its way into his set. From discussing his 77-year old mother getting high to talking about weed with his kids, Segura has plenty to say on the subject of cannabis and not only using it, but buying it, too. In this fantastic bit, Segura highlights the generation gap between his early experiences and the ease of acquistion today's young adults have when it comes to procuring pot.
Bill Hicks
The late, great, Bill Hicks was a comedic talent some would argue has never been surpassed. Known for his acerbic observational style, Hicks could be bitter, when talking about government, but he could also be extremely playful when talking about other subjects. Whatever the topic, Hicks could riff and build material like few others before or since. One of the greatest stand up comedians of all time, Bill Hicks could take any subject, apply logic, present andargument that made sense, but have audiences rolling in the aisles while doing so. There were few sights in comedy quite like seeing him stalk the stage, microphone in one hand, cigarette in the other, and dropping truths on roomsful of people with the kind of honesty that changed minds. On the subject of cannabis, Hicks made strong arguments for the use and legalization that were hard to rebutt:
Dave Chapelle
From his early beginning as a sketch comedy superstar to his current status as one of the greatest stand-up comedians on the planet, Dave Chapelle has made his name with an edgy take on a variety of touchy subjects, always with the kind of epic cool that makes stand-ups comics go down in history. As of 2023, Chapelle is the ultimate star in stand-up circles, and, like the greats before him, even incurring the wrath of the politically correct movement does nothing to harm ticket sales, viewer numbers, or popularity. It makes sense that the man who co-wrote and starred in Half Baked has more than a baggie'sworth of killer material about cannabis. Here, Dave recounts the time he got high with some rappers:
Tommy Chong
You can't have an article about cannabis and comedy and leave out Tommy Chong. Well, you could, but you'd be doing yourself and your readers a huge disservice. Tommy Chong is reefer royalty - as one half on the greatest stoner comedy duo in history, Tommy's observations on cannabis still litter conversations between potheads to this day. If ever an act stood the test of time, Cheech and Chong is it. While best known for their movies, stand-up comedy is in their blood, and Tommy keeps busy to this day - as recently as this year, he has appeared in That 90s Show, and keeps busy on the stand-up comedy circuit when he can.
You get one guess as to what Tommy's favourite subject to talk about in his act is. This man has been around more cannabis than ZigZag, so when he speaks, he speaks from a place of genuine authority. The best part about Tommy's marijuana musings is that most of us can relate to just about every single thing he talks about. Here, the great man talks about driving while high:
This is by no means an exhaustive list - a quick search online will swiftly return a near-infinite number of results tying comedians to cannabis. From Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor right through to Margaret Cho, Sarah Silverman, or any number of up-and-coming comedians, cannabis makes for great stand-up comedy. They say laughter is the best medicine, and cannabis is a medicinal plant, so it's little wonder the worlds collide so effotlessly.
The Best Strains To Pair With Comedy
At Seedsman, we have the perfect strain for every occasion. If you're having a comedy night, choose a sativa or sativa-dominant strain to keep you alert and fill you with uplifting, euphoric feeling. Sativas are often found to be more cerebrally stimulating, and some people report feeling more sociable after a good sativa. Here's some of the best strains get the laughter flowing:
Green Crack Auto
Seedsman Green Crack Auto is a sativa-dominant hybrid with the refreshing flavour of sweet, fruity mango. THC content is around 20%, with CBD below 1%. An ideal strain for social situations, Green Crack Auto's delighful cerebral affects are just the thing to pair with an evening of stand-up comedy.
Laughing Buddha
The name of this one gives the game away a bit - Laughing Buddha has earned itself a reputation as one of the best rib-tickling strains around. This sativa-dominant beauty combines Thai and Jamaican genes, and if you're looking for good times, you'll find them right here. The big, heavy buds make you smile during cultivation, and you'll have big, heavy laughs once you've tried it!
Zkittlez Auto
A popular guest at any party, Zkittlez Auto ticks every box on the list for a feelgood strain. Sativa-dominant, packed with incredible fruity flavours, and THC content in the 21-24% range are key ingredients in the recipe for a good time. Its an ideal strain for social situations, or for chilling in front of the TV, so grab your remote, push play, and let the laughter begin!
