The Role Of Cannabis In Sci-Fi Movies And TV Shows

Science-fiction has always been my favorite genre.

For everything: books, movies, TV shows.

I love the creativity that goes into building a whole new world.

It comes as no surprise that many science-fiction writers smoke weed to tap into their creative sides.

And that’s not the only connection.

Marijuana plays a role in many big science-fiction universes.

We are going to look at both sides today. both the use of cannabis to foster creativity, as well as the use of cannabis within a science-fiction story.

 

Marijuana And Creativity

Cannabis has long been intertwined with the realms of creativity and artistic expression, with a historical connection that spans across cultures and centuries.

From ancient civilizations to contemporary countercultural movements, cannabis has been revered for its ability to enhance creative thinking and stimulate the imagination.

Throughout history, various cultures have recognized the potential of cannabis to facilitate artistic endeavors. Ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks and Chinese, documented the use of cannabis for its psychoactive properties, often employing it in religious ceremonies and creative pursuits.

In the 20th century, cannabis became synonymous with artistic experimentation. The association between cannabis and creativity solidified, with artists, writers, and thinkers embracing the plant as a tool for expanding consciousness and exploring new ideas.

 

The Role Of Cannabis In Sci-Fi Movies And TV Shows

In the realm of science fiction, where imagination knows no bounds, cannabis has played a unique role in shaping the creative process of writers and directors.

By altering perception, enhancing imagination, and promoting divergent thinking, cannabis has served as a catalyst for the exploration of unconventional ideas and the envisioning of futuristic worlds.

The relaxed and introspective state induced by cannabis consumption helps generate innovative concepts and the breaking of creative barriers, allowing creators to delve into speculative realms with greater ease.

For writers in the sci-fi genre, cannabis can inspire thought-provoking narratives that challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of human understanding. Likewise, directors may find that cannabis enhances their ability to visualize and execute complex cinematic visions, resulting in visually stunning and thematically rich films.

Several prominent figures in the sci-fi genre have openly acknowledged their cannabis use and its impact on their creative work. Philip K. Dick, author of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (adapted into the film Blade Runner), was known to use cannabis and other substances, often incorporating themes of altered reality and existential questioning into his writing.

Director David Lynch, renowned for his surrealistic and mind-bending films like Eraserhead and Mulholland Drive, has attributed cannabis to stimulating his imagination and fueling his creative process.

Similarly, Terry Gilliam, an ex-Monty Python member and director of Brazil and 12 Monkeys, has spoken about how cannabis has influenced his visionary storytelling, allowing him to craft visually striking and thematically complex narratives within the sci-fi genre.

 

The Portrayal Of Cannabis Within Sci-Fi Narratives

Aside from influencing the thinking of writers and directors, cannabis has been depicted in a few sci-fi films and TV shows over the years, often as a symbol of rebellion, escapism, or alternative consciousness, reflecting its countercultural associations and potential for altering perception.

Whether used as a plot device, a source of humor, or a thematic element, cannabis has enriched the narrative and helped the writers explore themes of identity, freedom, and societal norms, often within futuristic settings.

 

Examples Of Cannabis-Influenced Films

Next, we will take a look at some science fiction movies that were influenced by, and feature the consumption of, marijuana.

 

Altered States

In this psychedelic sci-fi film, cannabis is one of the substances explored by a scientist conducting experiments on altered states of consciousness. The protagonist’s use of cannabis serves as a precursor to his more extreme experiments, leading to a journey of self-discovery and transformation.

 

Repo Man

Set in a dystopian future, Repo Man features a subplot involving a group of punks who smuggle radioactive alien corpses into their trunk. Cannabis is casually consumed by various characters throughout the film, reflecting the subversive and anarchic tone of the narrative.

 

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure

In this time-travel comedy, cannabis is not directly referenced, but the humor is definitely ideal for those who enjoy a smoke when watching a film. In other words, it is a classic stoner film.

It’s also not a classic sci-fi movie, but it does feature time travel. In the script, Bill and Ted attempt to use historical figures to complete their history report and venture back in time to bring them to the modern day.

 

This Is the End

Cannabis plays a prominent role in the interactions of a group of celebrities who find themselves facing the end of the world in this more recent offering.

The movie was written, directed, and produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, who have both openly spoken of their cannabis use in the past.

The characters’ indulgence in cannabis serves as a coping mechanism amidst chaos and existential dread, blending humor with introspection as they navigate their impending doom.

 

Star Leaf

This independent sci-fi thriller revolves around a group of hikers who discover a secret grove of extraterrestrial cannabis with otherworldly properties. As they delve deeper into the mystery of the “Star Leaf,” they encounter both hallucinatory visions and deadly consequences, exploring themes of addiction, paranoia, and the unknown.

 

Examples Of Cannabis-Influenced TV Shows

Plenty of science fiction TV series have also featured the use of marijuana. Here are some of the more famous ones.

 

Futurama

In the animated series Futurama, cannabis is humorously portrayed in various episodes, often as a futuristic counterpart known as “slurm” or “herb.” The show explores the societal implications of cannabis consumption in a futuristic society, incorporating satire and social commentary into its storytelling.

Notable cannabis-influenced episodes include The Farnsworth Parabox, in which the crew encounters a parallel universe known as “Universe 420,” and A Head in the Polls, in which Bender ventures into politics and promises to legalize hemp.

 

Red Dwarf

If you’re in the mood for some irreverent British science fiction comedy,Red Dwarf has plenty of subtle references to cannabis culture throughout its twelve seasons. While not overtly centered around cannabis, the series hints at countercultural aspects through dialogue and situational humor.

Characters like Dave Lister occasionally indulge in various vices, mirroring contemporary society’s attitudes towards recreational substances. Episodes such as Back to Reality and Polymorph explore themes of altered reality and behavior, resonating with cannabis culture’s exploration of perception and identity.

 

The Expanse

This sci-fi drama series is set in a colonized solar system, and cannabis is depicted as a recreational drug used by characters to alleviate stress and unwind from the rigors of space travel. The inclusion of cannabis adds depth to the world-building of The Expanse, portraying a future where familiar vices persist despite technological advancements.

 

Black Mirror

In the often-bizarre anthology series Black Mirror, created by Charlie Brooker, cannabis is featured in several episodes as a plot device or thematic element. From virtual reality experiences to dystopian futures, cannabis is used to explore themes of addiction, escapism, and societal control, highlighting its enduring relevance in sci-fi storytelling.

 

Marijuana In Science-Fiction: Final Thoughts

As a lifelong science-fiction fan and a long-time pot smoker, the two have always been inextricably linked to me. But there is a real world link, too. Many, in fact.

Many science fiction writers, be they novelists or screenwriters, turn to marijuana for inspiration. It helps them get those creative juices flowing, so they can construct fictional worlds that captivate our imaginations.

And of course, since science fiction worlds are always reflections of our own world, it makes sense that cannabis (as well as other drugs, often fictionalized ones) plays a part in a number of science-fiction stories too.

I listed some of the most famous above, but I know there are many others. I’m sure I overlooked some big ones, too, so if you know of any additional TV shows or movies I failed to mention but should have, please feel free to let me know in a comment below.