Learn | 07.30.2024

Here’s What Actors Are Smoking Instead Of Weed In Movies

Do actors really smoke weed in movies? Some do, most don't.

Are movie stars actually getting stoned on set? Probably not. 

But if they’re not smoking weed, what are they using? 

This question has boggled my mind for years. Especially when watching weed-oriented movies like Pineapple Express and Cheech & Chong’s Up In Smoke.

It’s hard to believe that heavy cannabis users like Seth Rogen and Cheech & Chong aren’t really smoking up on set. Chances are, they’re using what’s called “herbal tobacco.”

What Do Actors Smoke Instead Of Weed? Fake Weed For Movies

Photo by Mouthwash Studios

Herbal cigarettes have been around for decades in movies.

According to cinematographer and prop master Jeff Butcher, he says herbal cigarettes can be made of anything like “marshmallows and a bunch of different herbs,” but they don’t have any traces of nicotine. 

In fact, there are tons of companies that sell “buds.” While synthetic buds are only used for the visual aesthetic, they’re still in high demand. 

Ever watched a movie where scenes featured bags and pounds of cannabis? It was all made in a lab. One top company pushing these fake plants is International Oddities. 

Funny enough, it sells a whole whack of fake cannabis products, including different buds that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and hues. 

Did They Smoke Real Weed In Pineapple Express

No, real weed was not smoked in weed movies like Pineapple Express. Seth Rogen actually used fake weed from International Oddities in both Pineapple Express and Knocked Up.

This may come as a surprise to some who think the Canadian actor would smoke up on set, but Rogen keeps things business as usual.

Movies That Used Real Weed

There are definitely a few instances where real weed was smoked on movie sets.

Take The Beach Bum, where Snoop Dogg famously switched prop weed for the real deal in scenes with a blissfully unaware Matthew McConaughey.

Then there’s Dazed and Confused, where the cast wasn’t just acting stoned; they were, especially in the film’s climactic scenes. And who could forget How High? Method Man and Redman weren’t just playing stoners; they partook in genuine cannabis during key scenes, like their hilarious first meeting in the parking lot.

In these films, the smoke on set was as authentic as it gets.

What About Other Drugs?

Photo by Vilnis Husko

It’s not uncommon to hear about actors using powdered sugar to replace cocaine on set. Some even use baking soda and baby laxatives. Who knew?

Prop master Jeff Butcher, who worked on the set of Pineapple Express, said that inositol is also a common replacement for cocaine. 

He explains it’s a “B-vitamin of some kind,” adding that it’s one of the most common fake-cocaine substances on movie sets. 

This particular vitamin even gives off some effects. 

Butcher describes the effects as a little “energy lift, but it is very mild.”

Closing Words On Prop Weed

We’re sorry to say that your favorite actor likely wasn’t actually smoking up on the set of their movie. That joint, or bong toke, was simply a prop. Unless you’re Snoop Dogg. 

But maybe it’s best to leave that until after they’re done filming. After all, the giggly effect of cannabis might make them break character. 

That said, there was that one time Snoop Dogg told Matthew McConaughey they were smoking “prop weed” on the set of The Beach Bum. When, in fact, it was “Snoop weed.”

 

Herb Recommended Products:

Featured Brands:

Herb Recommended Products:

READ MORE

The Funniest Stoner Characters In Movie History
Guides |
04.01.2024
The Funniest Stoner Characters In Movie History
Matthew McConaughey And Cannabis Culture: The Man Who Makes Us Laugh
Culture |
06.03.2023
Matthew McConaughey And Cannabis Culture: The Man Who Makes Us Laugh
The 10 Best Cannabis Social Media Influencers 2024
Learn |
04.03.2024
The 10 Best Cannabis Social Media Influencers 2024
What’s A Chong Bong? Tommy Chong And His Collectible Bong
Learn |
20.08.2019
What’s A Chong Bong? Tommy Chong And His Collectible Bong
That time the feds rounded up Tommy Chong—and 50 others—for selling bongs
legalization |
11.03.2018
That time the feds rounded up Tommy Chong—and 50 others—for selling bongs
Why Did Leo Leave Season 5 Of ‘That ’70s Show’
Culture |
02.03.2022
Why Did Leo Leave Season 5 Of ‘That ’70s Show’
What Is Laced Weed: Risks, Dangers & Prevention
Learn |
11.09.2023
What Is Laced Weed: Risks, Dangers & Prevention
What Does 420 Mean In Cannabis Culture?
Learn |
17.03.2024
What Does 420 Mean In Cannabis Culture?
20 Easy & Hilarious Weed Halloween Costume Ideas
Culture |
14.10.2020
20 Easy & Hilarious Weed Halloween Costume Ideas
Listen To 103 Minutes Of “Impeccable Vibes,” With Houseplant’s Vinyl Box Set
Culture |
16.05.2022
Listen To 103 Minutes Of “Impeccable Vibes,” With Houseplant’s Vinyl Box Set