Confession time: I didn’t hop on the marijuana train until the later chapters of my life. But I’ve long cherished stoner comedies—though I must admit they tend to lean more towards laughter than legendary, with scant few exceptions. Think Cheech & Chong or Harold & Kumar, a little cinematic indulgence akin to indulging in an indica gummy. In honor of 4/20, I’ve curated a collection of my favorite weed-themed series to stream. Is this reminiscent of previous recommendations? Possibly, but let’s pretend it’s all brand new, shall we?
Weeds (2005–2012; Plex): Once a titan of Showtime’s Originals, Weeds has been misunderstood in the annals of TV history. Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker), the suburban mom who decided that selling pot was a better life choice than, say, PTA meetings—definitely not winning any Mother of the Year awards here. With its chaotic antics peppered throughout, this series remains a bizarre but entertaining ride, even when the narrative shifts to marijuana’s legalization. Truly, Weeds deserves eternal reruns alongside The Office.
Broad City (2014–2019; Hulu, Paramount+): At its core, Broad City is a love letter to BFFs Abbi and Ilana (played by the brilliant duo Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer), but it’s preposterously steeped in stoner humor; I count at least a hundred suspicious Phish references. The unforgettable pinnacle of its cannabis capers comes in Season 4 when they puffed away in Florida with Ilana’s mother (the iconic Susie Essman) and aunt (the inimitable Fran Drescher)—a moment that still gets my blood boiling over the Emmy snub. Seriously, how did that happen?
Mary + Jane (2016; YouTube): Premiering just before California’s great weed awakening, MTV’s Mary + Jane, which featured Snoop Dogg, whimsically trying to make slow-rolling socially acceptable, flopped into the obscurity abyss. Scout Durwood and Jessica Rothe play delivery partners navigating life in a pot-fueled startup—neither of whom are mysteriously named Mary or Jane. It’s just another gem that got lost in the MTV comedy graveyard—remember that glorious time? Good times, indeed!
Time Traveling Bong (2016; Paramount+): In a bold move away from copying Broad City, Ilana Glazer took center stage in Time Traveling Bong. The plot, as expected, involves time travel via a magical bong; naturally, hilarity ensues. Cousins Sharee (Glazer) and Jeff (Paul W. Downs) take viewers on a fantastical odyssey through various historical epochs, including Greece and Salem, managing to highlight the absurdity of today’s corporate stranglehold on culture—in short, it’s relatable dystopia at its finest.
High Maintenance (2016–2020; HBO Max): Straddling the line between comedy and dramedy, High Maintenance follows “The Guy” (Ben Sinclair) as he delivers weed across New York, encountering a wildly eclectic cast of characters. Each vignette exposes the highs and lows of human existence, landing somewhere between laugh-out-loud and heartbreakingly poignant. Jenji Kohan herself praised it as “beautiful glimpses into people’s lives”—and who can argue with that?
Disjointed (2017–2018; Netflix): Think of Disjointed as a weed-laced concoction of Weeds and Grace and Frankie—it runs with sitcom craziness while dabbling in cannabis advocacy. As the matriarch running her own L.A. marijuana dispensary, Ruth (Kathy Bates) interacts with a bizarre cast, setting the stage for a sitcom that’s goofy yet oddly informative. Sure, it won’t deepen your existential crisis, but it’s definitely a fun pastime when under the influence.
Growing Belushi (2020–present; HBO Max, Discovery+): Unlikely healers often pop up in comedy, and Jim Belushi is no exception. In Growing Belushi, he dives headfirst into the world of cannabis cultivation on his Oregon farm. Amid scripted reality TV antics, Jim’s injection of blues brotherly charm offers insights into cannabis farming. It’s an educational joyride swathed in a blanket of absurdity—John would probably chuckle, shaking his head at the hijinks.
High Hopes (2024; Hulu): The Kimmel production machine never stops! With April 20, 2024, as its launch date, High Hopes follows Belarusian brothers as they dive headfirst into the L.A. dispensary scene. However, their workplace antics might hit you more like a void of inspiration than a rush of adrenaline. Think of it as less “pawn stars” and more “Hmm, is that truly funny?” But hey, a good laugh can often come from the most unexpected places.
