Weed in Hollywood: From Slapstick Comedy to Overarching Storylines

For decades, Hollywood regarded cannabis as little more than a punchline—something for burnout sidekicks, clueless stoners, and over-the-top comedies. Think Cheech & Chong, Half Baked, or even the classic “guy gets too high and freaks out” trope. This has changed as legalization spreads across the U.S. and beyond, and the representation of weed on screen is evolving. Rather than merely being the butt of the joke, cannabis is rising in stardom, becoming an integral part of the plot, reflecting its more mainstream role in everyday life.

Modern films and television shows are starting to provide a more nuanced, realistic portrayal of cannabis culture. Series like High Maintenance and Disjointed delve into both the personal and business sides of the industry. More mainstream hits like Broad City and Euphoria depict cannabis use as a normal, casual part of everyday life instead of a reckless act of rebellion. Even in drama-driven series like Ozark or Queen of the South, cannabis is shown as a legitimate business rather than simply an illicit drug trade.

One of the most significant developments in recent years is in how cannabis users are portrayed. Instead of being lazy or oblivious, characters who consume weed are now parents, thriving professionals, creatives, and everyday individuals. Consider Grace and Frankie, where older women openly use cannabis, or Shameless, where Fiona’s brief foray into dispensary work is seen as a legitimate job rather than a questionable side hustle. This change in representation reflects how legalization has made cannabis more mainstream, eradicating much of the stigma that once surrounded it.

As Hollywood catches up with today’s reality, expect to see more realistic, diverse, and thoughtful cannabis storytelling. Whether it’s a medical patient finding relief, a dispensary owner navigating the industry, or characters simply enjoying cannabis without it being a major plot point, marijuana is finally breaking beyond stereotypes. And with cannabis becoming a multi-billion-dollar industry, don’t be surprised if the next big streaming hit comes straight from the dispensary.