From Cheech and Chong to George Carlin, comedians have openly experimented with cannabis for eons. As a comedian myself, I find that cannabis shifts my perspective by transforming mundane day-to-day activities into more colorful experiences. For me, it’s easier to see the peculiarities and ridiculousness that life brings after I smoke. If you want to make people laugh, you have to know how to laugh yourself. And with so much chaos and technological stimulation, sometimes it can be hard to see the humor in life. But weed makes it easier. That’s why I took a dive into the lives of comedians to gain a better understanding of the inherent connection between cannabis and comedians, and the role the plant plays within the comedy community.
Doug Benson
Doug Benson
Who else is more fit than quintessential cannabis comedian, Doug Benson? From his show Getting Doug With High to his documentary Super High Me, Benson’s been a major cannabis advocate and has deeply contributed to the destigmatization of cannabis. But the herb didn’t become a part of his repertoire until later in life.
“I was a late bloomer, not getting into cannabis until I was 28-years-old,” says Benson. “Other comics on the road turned me onto it. And after a few years of smoking whenever it was available, I started buying my own cannabis, talking about it on stage, and then, eventually, I’d get high before going on stage. Cannabis helps me to access my silly side, so I like to write and perform when high. And pretty much everything else I do is under the influence of cannabis.”
Benson’s view on the role of marijuana within the realm of comedy is unique because he’s been able to weave it into his creative identity in …
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Author: Sara Weinshenk / High Times
