Cannabis Takes the Stage: How Hacks and Modern TV Are Normalizing the Green Screen

Cannabis Takes the Stage: How Hacks and Modern TV Are Normalizing the Green Screen

Some people take “New Year, New You” to a different level, but when it comes to entertainment, it’s not just personal goals that evolve—it’s our perception of everyday life. And in 2025, you know what’s become undeniably mainstream? Cannabis. It’s gone from back-alley punchline to primetime guest star. Just look at HBO Max’s highly acclaimed show Hacks.

The annual Golden Globes—an event that’s been around since 1944 to honor artists, writers, and creatives—may not have had a literal cannabis category, but cannabis won big in spirit. Among the winners was Hacks, the whip-smart series led by the talented veteran Jean Smart. The show is clever, witty, and adept at turning life’s most mundane moments into laugh-out-loud scenarios. Yet beneath the humor is a subtle yet profound reflection of modern society’s evolving views on cannabis.

In Hacks, marijuana use isn’t a gimmick—it’s a character development tool, especially for Ava Daniels, played brilliantly by Hannah Einbinder. Ava’s casual cannabis consumption is portrayed as part of her everyday life—a relatable, authentic choice for a young writer navigating the ups and downs of her career. There’s no after-school special tone here. Instead, it’s a nod to reality, especially considering Einbinder’s real-life experience of using cannabis to mitigate the effects of ADHD medication.

The contrast between Ava’s laid-back approach to cannabis and Deborah Vance’s old-school skepticism is one of the show’s most effective running themes. Deborah, played by Jean Smart, represents a generation that grew up when cannabis use was met with judgment or, at the very least, caution. Meanwhile, Ava’s attitude is reflective of younger generations for whom cannabis is about as controversial as oat milk. This interplay between the two characters not only sets up hilarious scenes but also highlights the broader generational shift in how society views cannabis.

In one memorable moment, Deborah questions Ava about the absurd room service bill, only to discover that Ava’s munchies-fueled indulgence is to blame. It’s a perfect example of how the show uses cannabis humor without making it the entire punchline. It’s just another part of life, as unremarkable as a late-night ice cream run.

This normalization of cannabis mirrors a larger trend in television. Shows like Broad City paved the way with their irreverent and hilarious take on stoner culture. Meanwhile, the most recent season of The Voice took a tongue-in-cheek approach when Snoop Dogg joined as a coach—with many references to his personal “green room” on the show, an air-conditioned RV used for his “safety meetings.” This led Jimmy Kimmel to joke that fellow coach Michael Bublé had been “Blu-Blazing,” turning Snoop’s RV into a legend. Even animated shows like Disenchantment have nodded to cannabis use, showing how across genres, the plant has seamlessly woven itself into storylines without the outdated “slippery slope” warnings.

What makes Hacks stand out, though, is its refusal to moralize or sensationalize. Unlike the “very special episodes” of the past that treated cannabis use as a grave misstep or a dramatic turning point, Hacks treats it like… life. The show’s writers understand that audiences don’t need lectures. They’re living the reality—one where even organizations like the AARP have acknowledged the benefits of cannabis use.

At this year’s Golden Globes, Jean Smart gave an acceptance speech that included heartfelt praise for her co-star, saying, “I have a cast and crew that were sent from heaven, especially my co-star, Hannah Einbinder.” It’s fitting that she mentioned Einbinder, given how crucial their dynamic is to the show’s success. Together, they make Hacks more than a comedy; it’s a mirror held up to the generational and cultural shifts shaping our world.

Cannabis in media has come a long way, from being a punchline to being portrayed with nuance, humor, and authenticity. Hacks isn’t just a show that happens to feature cannabis—it’s a reflection of our collective embrace of something that was once relegated to whispered jokes. So, if you’re looking for an example of how far we’ve come, look no further than the sharp, witty world of Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels. And the next time you reach for the remote, remember: sometimes, the real stars of the show are the subtle details that help us laugh, connect, and reflect on just how much life has changed.