Cannabis has had a long history with a handful of industry. Over the years, various communities have adopted the plant into their lifestyle, incorporating it in their art, work, and culture as a whole. We all know the music industry as one of the biggest group of advocates for cannabis but, though it may be more obvious here, they aren’t the only ones. For this TBT, we are looking at the comic book industry that, no so blatantly, has helped cannabis near.
Any comic book fan or generally-nerdy individual knows that Comic-Con just passed these last few weeks of July. Whether they attended or simply watched the weekend unfolded over social media, it’s a staple event in the comic and gaming community drawing in hundreds of thousands of attendees. Every year, troves of comic book fans, cosplayers, movie directors and their respective cast shower the show with appreciate for all things nerd. The very first Comic-con to take place in it’s iconic location in San Diego was first put on 48 years ago today. San Diego Comic-Con, despite there being events in other cities at varying times of the year, is by far the most popular and most visited, selling out tickets in a matter of minutes some years.
Cannabis has never shown her pretty green face on a regular basis but, the attendees and presenters more than anything, have celebrated her in an artistic manner. The community honours cannabis more by weaving it into the culture as well as adding quirky nods to it within content. Many writers and comic book illustrators have create characters that are obvious users, such as the classic Jughead Jones or the more obscure, Spider Jerusalem. Others even cultivate stories all about the ganja, like Ziggy Marley’s Marijuana Man. It’s no secret that some popular nerds consume cannabis; after all there is a newer event dedicated to the two: Chromic Con. One in particular nerd we can talk about today is the Comic-Book-Man himself, Kevin Smith. Most know him from his first directing and acting role in Clerks where he ironically played a pot-dealer with “conversation issues”, Silent Bob. Alongside sidekick, Jay, for many roles, Silent Bob and Kevin Smith as well have kept cannabis as an undercover constant as he has created and hosted his own comic book show, Comic Book Men and now to creating and starring in a show all about cannabis, Hollyweed.
Smith’s character, Silent Bob, along with Jay have been constants in the weed industry appearing in cartoons, movies, and -of course- comic books. Smith’s new show, however, is another addition to weed television. The humble and humorous show is much different from its predecessors such as Disjointed and Cooking On High. The humor of the show as well as the format is more what low-key consumers would love. The jokes still appeal to long time stoners while not being too obvious. As the show only has the pilot available, no stats are set in stone. So far, however, the comic book community has made the best attempt at cannabis television.
The comic and gaming industry is not the most vocal with its cannabis advocacy but, it is still there. They are few but, they are fierce. Only the pilot of Smith’s show is available at the moment but, it’s date depends on the audience. Check it out and YouTube and let that nerd flag of yours fly. Share in the celebration of comics today and she Hollyweed with your canna-buddies.
