High on Laughter: Exploring the Joyful Union of Cannabis and Comedy

Margaret 00:00:05 Welcome friends to episode 333. What happens when you take a love of food, a passion for culture, and a deep knowledge of cannabis and you toss them all into one bowl? You get Bite me! The podcast that explores the intersection of food, culture and cannabis and helps cooks make great edibles at home. I'm your host, Margaret, a certified Ganjier Tsai certified Cannabis educator, and I believe your kitchen is the best dispensary you'll ever have. Together, we'll explore the stories, the science, and the sheer joy of making safe, effective, and unforgettable edibles at home. So preheat your oven and let's get ready for a great episode. Let's dive in, shall we? Friends, I am so glad that you are here. It feels like it's been a minute since I sat down in front of my microphone to have a conversation with you on the podcast, and I am looking forward to it. Is 2026 at the time of this recording, I took a couple of weeks off. Yes, I prerecorded some stuff, so I gave myself a little bit of a holiday and I'm really happy to be back.

Margaret 00:01:10 It was really nice to spend some time with friends and family and just sort of relax a little bit when everyone has a little bit of time off and it's been nice, but I'm ready to get back into it now. My question is, did you make your 2026 bingo card? It's not too late. That's the nice thing about the bingo card is even if you make it sometime this month, whenever you get around to it, it'll be there for you for the rest of the year. Unlike New Year's resolutions, which you'll probably make and quickly forget, although I have made plenty of New Year's resolutions in my past, I find that I really like this bingo card idea a whole lot better. And what did I put on my bingo card, you may ask? A whole bunch of things. I will share those with you now. I do admit that when I knew I was going to do another bingo card this year because I did one last year and it was fabulous, I enjoyed it so much.

Margaret 00:01:59 I'm like, I'm doing it again. I've gotten friends and family to do them with me. They did them over at the High on Homegrown podcast. Just so many people are doing bingo cards. I think it's the new New Year's resolution. And I did actually start a note on my phone where I jotted down ideas, because when you come to sit down to do a bingo card, it can take a bit of time to come up with 24 squares, because I did the free square in the middle, of course, but it can take some time. And I had written this list and I. I decided to not go with some of those, like I had read a certain number of books. Well, I'm a reader. I love to read, so it seemed kind of redundant to put that on my bingo card this year. Am I going to read some books? Yeah. Do I need to put that on my bingo card? No, I did put on try oysters because I've never tried them before.

Margaret 00:02:44 Try pickleball. Another game sport if you will, that I've wanted to try. And they're building a whole bunch of new courts in my town. And I don't know if it's like this where you live, but I can go to my public library and borrow and borrow the rackets that you need, I think the rackets and the ball to try it out. You don't even have to go and buy this stuff. Check your local library because a lot of libraries now rent have this like what they call the library of things, and you can borrow like books, a whole bunch of stuff. It's really cool. So do check that out. You don't necessarily have to invest in something if you've never tried it before. So I added that. I also added master the parallel park. I do not parallel park almost ever. Not because I think my like, I probably haven't parallel park in like 15 years. And did I learn it when I took my driving lessons? Sure. Was that 100 years ago? Yes.

Margaret 00:03:36 Do I ever do it? No, in large part because I get so, like, flustered when there's a lineup of people behind me and they're having to wait for me to potentially do it, I'm like, you know what? I'll just circle the block. I'll walk. I need the extra steps, so why not? But I thought this was the year I'm going to master the parallel park, clustering be damned. I know when I'm waiting for someone to parallel park, I never feel that way. But you know, people can be assholes. So there's that. Those are just a few things. As far as the podcast goes, I have that I want to host a summit this year. an online summit. So that's on the bingo card. There's things like that. So it can be a whole mix of different, different activities, work goals, personal goals. I have things where I want to be doing things with friends and families. So, you know, use your imagination. And I hope that you have a fabulous 2026.

Margaret 00:04:24 I'm really excited to share this with you. And if you're just joining me for the first time this year, I am so glad that you're here. I am so glad that you're here and if you've been around for a while, same. Honestly, this show wouldn't exist without the listeners of Bite Me, and I am so pleased that I can still be doing this six and a half years later. So what are we talking about today? I am glad that you asked because we're doing something a little bit different. You probably know that I am doing a tolerance break. I'm also doing a dry January this year, and I'm running a Fresh Start tolerance Break challenge in the Cannabis Club, and we're doing it there together. And it's been going really great. So I'm not really making a lot of edibles right now, but that doesn't necessarily mean I can't talk about them. And I do have some things coming up later this month that I think you'll enjoy. But for this episode, I wanted to get into cannabis and comedy because those are two of my favorite things.

Margaret 00:05:21 One of the things I love to do, whether I am high or not, is comedy. Stand up comedy in particular. I feel like comedy is a genre as far as movies and TV's TV shows go can be really difficult to pull off. And but you know, when you have a little bit of cannabis, it certainly helps make things funnier. So. That's what we're going to be talking about today. And so let's be honest, you've probably eaten an edible, settled into watch something and then spent 20 minutes absolutely losing it because of the way the character blinked, or because the way a friend described making toast with way too much detail and that deep, gut wrenching, tears streaming, can't breathe kind of laughter just takes over air. I love those moments. I've had them high and not high. Of course, when you just can't stop laughing and you feel like it's the funniest thing in the entire world. We need more of those moments, don't we? I think we do. So it's a universal experience for many people, many cannabis users, and it's just more than a silly side effect.

Margaret 00:06:21 And we're going to be looking at the fascinating intersection between neuroscience culture and pure human connection in this episode on cannabis and humor. So let's set the scene. You're with a couple of good friends, you've all had some edibles, or perhaps you've smoked or vape some cannabis. Whatever floats your boat however you prefer to consume. The conversation turns to shared mildly annoying experiences, like the absurdity of an automated customer service phone call. I had one of those actually pretty recently. It was more than mildly annoying. It was infuriating, actually. Fedex. I'm looking at you because they don't actually have any real people there. Actually, they did eventually, but it is so hard to get to a real person. They all have all these AI crap where you have to talk to an AI person, AI bot or whatever. And anyway, suddenly the sheer existential drama of press one for more options becomes the funniest concept that ever existed. One person snorts, laughs, and it sets off that chain reaction. And now you're all howling, clutching your sides in a pure state of collective joy, and you probably don't even remember what you started laughing about.

Margaret 00:07:29 Why does this happen? Is it just the weed? The resounding answer is no. This phenomenon is a perfect storm of brain chemistry, shifted perspective, and social bonding. And it's not about impairment, it's about alteration. And culturally, the story of cannabis and comedy has evolved from a narrow stereotype into a rich, diverse landscape of creative expression. So today, we're going on a journey. We'll look at the neuroscience of a giggle fit. Trace the evolution of cannabis comedy beyond the lazy caricatures, and understand why laughter and friends feels so much more potent. We'll even offer some inclusive, practical tips for curating your own comedic experience. So first, let's get biology biological. When THC and other cannabinoids enter your system, they interact with your brain's endocannabinoid system your ex the key regulator of mood, perception, and reward. And if you've been following the show for a little while, we've talked a lot about The Ex in recent episodes, and I will link those in the show notes so you can find them.

Margaret 00:08:33 If you want to brush up a little bit on your ex and how they work with edible edibles in particular. And it's not just about flooding your brain with chemicals. Think of it more like THC conducting an orchestra. It encourages the release of dopamine, a reward chemical which makes pleasurable things like a good joke feel extra rewarding. It also interacts with serotonin, stabilizing and often uplifting the mood. And this isn't a dumbing down. It's creating a neurochemical environment ripe for positivity and Asian cannabis can gently dial down the noise of our default mode network, the brain's backward background, chatter about past regrets, future anxieties, all those things that make us feel certain things. This quieting allows. This quieting allows for present moment awareness. Suddenly you're not just hearing a joke, you're savoring the rhythm of the words, the comedian's facial expressions, the unexpected twist. Your sensory perception is heightened, making ordinary details fascinating and often absurdly funny. It's seeing the world with a slight tilt and finding joy in that new angle. And crucially, there's a temporary softening of activity in the prefrontal cortex, our brain strict moderator for social rules and self-criticism.

Margaret 00:09:56 This disinhibition isn't about losing control. It's about loosening the grip of the inner critic. You're less worried about laughing too loudly or at something too silly, and you're simply more open to the experience of unabashed joy. And I think we could all definitely use more of that in 2026. Research using brain scans shows that appreciating humor lights up specific regions, like the right frontal lobe and the left temporal lobe. Cannabis seems to turn up the voltage in these circuits, so witty observation isn't just processed, it's celebrated. Your brain, in a very real sense, becomes more primed to find the funny. Now let's talk culture. For decades, the stoner in comedy was a one note joke the lazy, unmotivated, stupid dude. And it was a cheap stereotype that marginalized the vast, diverse community of cannabis users. Which, if you've been also listening to this show for any length of time, cannabis users come from all walks of life. Yes, Cheech and Chong were pioneers in bringing cannabis culture to the mainstream, but their genius was in portraying.

Margaret 00:11:07 Shared rebellious friendship. They were less about being dumb and more about being outsiders, navigating a straight world with their own logic. They created a blueprint for cannabis as a lens for satire. Modern cannabis comedy has thankfully evolved. The joke is no longer ha ha or high. The cannabis is often just a fact of life. A character detail that informs a more authentic, nuanced perspective. Think of the clever, chaotic entrepreneurship of Lana Glazer's character in Broad City, where cannabis was part of her vibrant, messy and ambitious life. If you haven't checked out that show, I highly recommend it. It is fantastic. I haven't watched it in a little while, but they do enjoy a lot of weed in that show. Or perhaps Natasha Leggero Stand Up, where cannabis is woven into stories about relationships, society, self-discovery. It's about the human experience with cannabis as one thread in a rich tapestry. Comedians like Margaret Cho and Sarah Silverman have used cannabis aesthetic to explore feminist, political and social issues, dismantling the old lazy stoner stereotype and replacing it with something intelligent and specific.

Margaret 00:12:20 For many modern creators, cannabis is a tool for divergent thinking, making unusual connections between ideas. As one comedian aptly put it. Weed doesn't create the joke, it just nudges the brain into a place where ideas feel friendlier and connections flow more freely. It's about lowering the stakes for creativity, not about being out of control. This shift is reflected in the rise of cannabis friendly comedy shows and spaces. These venues intentionally cultivate a relaxed, judgment free vibe that encourages performers to be experimental and audiences to be present and engaged. It's about community, not caricature. Now, Canada doesn't have any cannabis friendly venues, per se that are operating in the legal space as of this recording in 2020 6th January, but it is legal here to smoke a joint. Wherever you can, smoke a cigarette, and you'll often walk past venues like that and find people smoking joints, so it's still accepted. This brings us to the most important ingredient other people. Science tells us that you're 30 times more likely to laugh in a social setting.

Margaret 00:13:33 Laughter is a primal social glue. Cannabis amplifies this contagious effect the disinhibition, disinhibition. We talked about it shared in a safe, comfortable group. One person's chuckle can ripple through everyone, escalating into a collective hysterics. This shared vulnerability and joy is incredibly bonding. It's a form of non-verbal communication that says, I am with you. I see the world. I see the world the same way right now, and it's wonderful. This is why sentence setting is everything. The goal isn't just to get high and watch something funny. It's to curate an experience. Choose people who make you feel safe and accepted. Create a comfortable physical space and then add your chosen media. Be it a brilliantly written comedy special, an absurdist cartoon, or even just the rich comedy of your own conversations. So if you want to invite more of this joyful laughter into your life, here's a progressive, intentional approach. Forget the strongest is best mindset. A moderate, comfortable dose is your ally. You can start low and go slow.

Margaret 00:14:38 Especially if you're kind of new to consuming cannabis outside of your normal spaces. You're aiming for an uplifting buzz, not couch lock. An overwhelming high can just shut down the very social, creative openness that we're seeking here. A balanced edible with a mix of CBD and THC can provide a smoother, more clearheaded experience conducive to laughter for many people. I'm a huge fan of mixing THC and CBD, especially if I'm smoking. That's just me. You do what feels right for you, of course. And look just beyond THC. While research is ongoing. Many users associate uplifting, giggly effects with certain terpenes. Which is especially useful if you are vaping or smoking cannabis. Limonene, which is citrusy, is uplifting. A mood elevating pinene, which piney think pine can promote. Alertness, which pairs well with witty comedy. Carry a filling which is peppery, spicy may help ease anxiety. Supporting that relaxed open state. So think of cultivars like Jack Hare, Durban Poison, Super Lemon Haze, which are often cited for their energetic euphoric effects.

Margaret 00:15:44 But of course, remember everyone's body chemistry is unique and what worked for your friend may not work for you. So keep track, take notes, and prioritize how you feel over any of the strain names or effects or terpenes. And of course, if you're going to be using edibles because edibles can last for a longer time, keep that in mind as well your onset time and duration, especially if you're enjoying an event outside of the house and you have to travel. This is an active, not passive. Put your phones away. Cue up that comedy special album funny podcast. Before the edibles or the cannabis kicks in. Cozy blankets and snacks at the ready. If you're doing this at home, remove potential sources of stress or interruption. You are the director of your own comedy experience. So shall we recap, my friends? I love cannabis and comedy, two of my favorite pairings, to be completely honest. The cannabis giggle is a multi-dimensional experience. Neuroscientific. It's a shift towards present moment awareness, disinhibition, and enhanced reward, something I think we could all benefit from culturally.

Margaret 00:16:51 It's a move from the cheap stereotype to a nuanced part of diverse, authentic storytelling. And socially, it's a powerful amplifier of human connection and shared vulnerability in a world that's often too serious and demanding. Allowing yourself to fully let go and laugh, especially in a safe, conscious community can be a radical act of self-care and bonding, and it's a reminder not to take everything, including ourselves, so seriously all the time. It's about embracing the beautiful, shared absurdity of what is being a human being. So let me turn it back to you that I would love to hear your stories that reflect this modern take. Not a time when you're so stoned you did something dumb because we've all been there. We've all done that. I have more times than I care to admit, but a time a cannabis helped you see the profound humor in an everyday moment, or deepen a connection through shared laughter. Tell me about the comedy special that had you in tears, or the conversation with friends that became legendary. You can find me on.

Margaret 00:17:46 You can find me on Instagram. Continue the conversation over the Bite Me Cannabis Club or just reply to the post at Bite Me podcast. I would love to hear it because comedy really does bring people together. And whether I'm watching a comedy show by myself, which does often happen, or I'm sharing it with friends, that is a great way to spend time with people that you care about. And I should mention that attending a comedy show is on my 2026 bingo card. I went to one last year with a friend, and I had my I had I was going to attend a concert on my bingo card. I had it on there last year, but again, like reading a bunch of books that seemed kind of redundant because I usually do attend a few concerts every year, but I seem to make it less out to comedy venues, and I'm not sure why, because I do love comedy so much, and there were some venues that were doing a lot of great comedy here where I live, and some of that's changed a little bit this year, so I don't know if they'll be as accessible or easy to find.

Margaret 00:18:45 But a friend and I did venture into the big city last year to the Comedy Bar in Toronto on the Danforth, if you know where that is. And I had never been to a venue like that before, and it was so much fun. We went to see a specific comedian, I think. Was it Mark forward, who many people may know from Letterkenny. We went to this comedy bar. You had to wait to get into the actual bar part or into the where they were going to be performing, and they seated you. And I wasn't expecting this at all. And we had gone there kind of early because we were excited and the person led us into the room, and they led us to the very front of the room, like we could reach out and touch the mic stand. And we were looking at each other like, Holy shit, what have we gotten ourselves into? Like, my worst are the just thinking about getting picked on by a comedian because you're sitting right in the front row is got to be like, so anxiety producing like, that's like my worst nightmare.

Margaret 00:19:43 We got off pretty easy, to be completely honest. We were so fortunate in a way. We didn't get picked on a little bit, but it wasn't anything that we couldn't handle. But the show was amazing. It was so much fun and I definitely want to repeat it. An experience like that in this year as well. So do you have any favorite comedians that you love to listen to? Send me your recommendations. Any funny movies TV shows that you find get you in stitches every time you watch it? One of the other shows I actually really like I find is it's a comfort show for me. But Schitt's Creek, which is another Canadian show, but it did find worldwide acclaim, I believe. And every time I watched that show, I've watched it. I've watched that series through maybe 2 or 3 times now, over the few years, over the last few years, and every time I watch it, I laugh out loud in every single episode. There's always some moment that happens where I laugh out loud.

Margaret 00:20:34 And I love those types of shows. Even if you've watched it more than once, it still makes you laugh. So let me hear what you love to listen to. Watch, attend. When it comes to comedy, whether you go and enjoy cannabis or not, you can share it with me. I love to hear all of your responses, and without my friends, I hope that we can go into this year with a little bit of laughter and keep smiling throughout 2026. Thank you for being here without my friends. I am your host, Margaret. Until next time, keep smiling and stay high.