5 Famous Podcasts That Normalize Weed (But Aren't 420 Related)
As pot smokers, we have been shunned by society and forced to keep our smoke to ourselves. Many of us still struggle with the stigma around weed all around the world. With that being said, weed is no doubt becoming more and more normalized in our society. In this article, we’ll rejoice in the destigmatization of smoking cannabis. What better way than to keep up with the times, and discuss some famous podcasts that are normalizing weed.
These podcasts are normalizing weed-smoking, and we’re all about it. But not just any podcast can do that. For a podcast to familiarize non-stoner audiences with the good green grass, they have to have audiences that aren’t already listening for weed-related content. These podcasts are not 420 related, and that’s why they are doing wonders to normalize weed in mainstream society.
1. Club Random with Bill Maher on Apple Podcasts
Bill Maher, the comedian and host of the HBO show Real Time with Bill Maher, has a podcast called "Club Random" While Real Time has themes of politics and social commentary, his podcast is focused more on the guests, and if nothing else, showcases his comedic personality.
Bill and the guests on Club Random openly and often talk about weed. More than this, he has a talent for pulling great weed-related stories from his guests, who happen to be some of the biggest comedians in the industry. It's fair to say pot and comedy mix quite well. Bill once smoked a joint on live TV, on his show Real Time with Bill Maher. A bold move for a politically themed talk show on HBO, where the host serves as somewhat of a moral compass for debates, and as a connection to the audience. He was even sued for this, which is perhaps why he created Club Random in his home.
Maher is not trying to convince people to start smoking marijuana. Instead, he wants people to know that it's okay if they already do. The stigma around cannabis is so strong that many people who consume it are afraid or ashamed of their use.
2. The Joe Rogan Experience
The Joe Rogan Experience is a podcast hosted by comedian and UFC commentator Joe Rogan. The show covers a variety of topics, including mixed martial arts, stand-up comedy, politics, and sports. He is a controversial figure, and not coincidentally, the biggest podcaster in the space.
Joe has hosted numerous famous guests that are known for their cannabis use or advocacy. In 2017, rapper Snoop Dogg appeared as a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience to talk about his love of cannabis and the benefits of using it medicinally. In 2018, actor Seth Rogen appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience to discuss how he uses cannabis for medicinal purposes after undergoing surgery for prostate cancer. Elon Musk even hit a joint on JRE. I’m still not sure if he inhaled, which seems like a waste for the decreased Tesla stock, but it certainly helped normalize weed in the mainstream public.
Aside from this, Joe regularly smokes with comedians and friends on the podcast. It’s rare that Joe Rogan isn’t seen with a blunt or joint on the podcast, so long he has a good rapport with the guests.
3. H3 Podcast
The H3 podcast is a show that provides a comedic take on current events and pop culture. The hosts, Ethan and Hila Klein are a husband-and-wife duo, who have made a name for themselves with their unique brand of humor. They've been called "the Howard Sterns of YouTube" by The New York Times and have over 1 million subscribers on their channel, which they started in 2010.
The podcast has been around since 2016, to supplement the already popular Youtube channel, but it only recently started normalizing weed within its content. Episode #17 was released on January 18th, 2019, where the topic was cannabis legalization in California. It was also during this episode that Ethan and Hila admitted that they both smoke weed regularly—something they hadn't previously discussed on their show.
On top of this, the duo talk about how they used to sell marijuana to afford rent during college. As Israel-Americans, pot isn’t frowned upon in their culture, to say the least. It’s fair to say the podcasting duo at H3, Ethan especially, have done their part to normalize getting stoned.
4. Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness
Podcasts like Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness make it cool to smoke weed. The host's laid-back demeanor and positive attitude make it seem like smoking weed is just another part of life—an activity that doesn't deserve to be stigmatized or shamed. This shouldn’t be a surprise, as Van Ness is also a hairdresser on Queer Eye, the popular show on Netflix. Here, he and fellow LGBQT cast members refine Atlanteans wardrobes, grooming, diet, cultural pursuits, and home décor.
Getting Curious isn’t about weed, but it does normalize smoking it. Jonathan has multiple weed themed episodes. In the episode, "Weed Is Legal," he speaks with Dr Sanjay Gupta, who had recently changed his stance on cannabis. The episode touches on topics like the opioid crisis, medical marijuana research and legalization, and how cannabis improves people's lives.
Other times, they have discussed how marijuana can relax people with anxiety disorders and how it can focus people struggling with ADHD.
5. The Bill Simmons Podcast
Bill Simmons is a well-known sportswriter who has had his own podcast for years, simply called The Bill Simmons Podcast. It's a great place to hear about what's going on in sports and listen to some of your favorite athletes talk at length. While this podcast isn't directly related to weed, Simmons has been known to smoke a couple joints while recording the show.
Although he doesn't have any episodes dedicated to marijuana, there are plenty of times when it comes up in conversation. For example, in an episode with comedian Pete Holmes, they discuss weed legalization and it’s benefits.
In this podcast, you'll hear a lot about weed. Sometimes it's mentioned in jest or in passing, especially in episodes with star athletes, but other times they throw caution to the wind, discussing cannabis like it’s coffee.
