Cannabis in the Media Pt. 2: Television
Since the beginning of legalization and decriminalization of cannabis across the country, the frequency and the way in which it has been portrayed in popular media has changed and generally been reflective of society’s view on the subject at the time, whether it be in movies, television, music, or books.
This is the second part in a series on how cannabis has affected and been portrayed in popular media. This article will specifically cover how cannabis has been portrayed in television throughout the decades. As shown in my previous article , there has been no shortage of cannabis-themed movies, which has been mostly positive throughout the years. However, when it comes to the small screen, cannabis generally hasn’t been presented as often or as positively as it has been in the movies.
The 1960s
The appearance of cannabis on tv shows during the 1960s was sparse and not in a favorable light.
The first known reference to cannabis on a television show was in 1961 on an episode of The Andy Griffith Show called “Quiet Sam.” In the episode Deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts) suspects a local farmer of growing cannabis after spotting him tilling the fields at night—clearly evidence of nefarious activity.
Later, in a 1968 episode of Dragnet called “The Big High,” Sgt. Joe Friday and Officer Bill Gannon investigate a couple suspected of smoking cannabis after the wife’s daughter expresses concern for his daughter’s safety. Despite not finding any evidence, Sgt Friday warns the father about the dangers of cannabis, in which the young mother may end up finding her baby dead in tub from drowning after throwing a “wild pot party.”
The 1970s
Portrayal of cannabis on television in the 1970s was a little more positive and less harmful compared to the previous decade, even despite Richard Nixon declaring a “war on drugs” in 1972. Cannabis was depicted more than once on Sanford and Son. In “Fred’s Treasure Garden,” a house-sitter for Fred discovers “wild parsley” (cannabis) growing in his garden. The house-sitter uses the cannabis in a salad and serves it to the family and even a couple neighborhood offbeat cops who leave the dinner in great spirits.
Later in 1976, on the Barney Miller show, in an episode called “Hash,” everyone on the police squad (except Barney) get high after consuming hashish-laced brownies prepared by one of the character’s girlfriends.
The 1980s
During the 1980s, the depictions of cannabis on television was relatively negative thanks in large part to Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign. On an episode of Diff’rent Strokes entitled., “The Reporter,” Nancy Reagan makes an appearance to talk about her anti-drug campaign. This led to other anti-cannabis themed episodes occurring on shows such as Saved by the Bell, Growing Pains, Punky Brewster, and Full House. In addition, there were plenty of television commercials at the time promoting the “Just Say No” campaign.
The 1990s
When it came to the 90s, depictions of cannabis in television remained mostly negative, thanks in large part to the D.A.R.E. program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) which started in 1983, but became very popular in the 1990s. Their anti-drug campaign was often seen in children’s television shows. In a 1990 made-for-TV special of Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue entitled, “Wonderful Ways to Say No” some famous cartoon characters, such as Bugs Bunny, Garfield, and the Muppet Babies teach a teen who uses cannabis how to say no to drugs. Former President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush aired a short introduction prior to the airing of the episode.
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Although, not everything airing on TV was so anti-cannabis, or at least not taken so seriously. In an episode of Roseanne, Roseanne and the other characters smoke a joint and remember fun times during their youth. Also, on an episode of the family show, Dinosaurs entitled, “Happy Leaf” the teenage son character brings home a mysterious “happy plant” that makes him feel good, but also irresponsible and lazy—a common stereotype for people who smoke cannabis regularly. However, at the end of the episode, one of the characters breaks the fourth wall and sardonically urges the audience to “just say no” to drugs, so TV shows such as their own can stop making preachy, anti-drug themed episodes.
By the end of the 1990s, television began to take a more positive approach to how cannabis was portrayed in shows such as That 70s Show. about a group of teenage friends in the 1970s who smoke cannabis together
2000 – Present
It wasn’t really until the turn of the century, that the common usage and societal acceptance of cannabis was reflected on television. In 2001, the animated show South Park introduced the world to “Towelie,” a talking and walking towel who smokes cannabis all the time. While very humorous, this didn’t really show the medicinal benefits of cannabis, and continued the “lazy stoner” stereotype. However, later in shows like Bored to Death (2009 – 2011) and Broad City (2014-2019) cannabis use was represented in a much more positive light. Most recently, High Maintenance (2012-2021) was a show about a cannabis courier who makes deliveries in the Brooklyn area.
Interesting to note, some believe this change in attitude was influenced in part by former President Barack Obama admitting to using cannabis when he was younger. Whether this is true, we’ll never really know. What is clear is that television (like other forms of popular media) is often reflective of society’s view on a particular subject matter—in this case, cannabis. In the past, cannabis was mostly portrayed in a negative and/or humous light. Today, by contrast, cannabis is more popular than ever—being legal either medicinally or recreational in a majority of the states, while television has and continues to play an active role in destigmatizing cannabis use while also promoting its medicinal benefits.
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