Weeding out the Stoned logo from game show’s website.
One game show promises to help break the stigma surrounding cannabis, while also delivering laughs – and some cool prizes too.
Weeding out the Stoned is a live game show in search of sobriety. It features eight comedians — all of which are stoned — besides one.
It is up to the audience to figure out who is high and who is not. Similar to the humor-enhancing effects from cannabis, a stand up show element will be sure to give audiences the giggles.
The host and creator of this comedy show is Alex Grubard, an award-winning writer, stand-up comedian, and show producer. Grubard created Weeding out the Stoned in 2015, and has since hosted shows throughout the U.S., including in Philadelphia, Jersey City, New Jersey and in New York City.
At this year’s events, audiences can expect a hilarious set of comedians on stage from Derek Humphrey, Trey Galyon, Jess Feeney, Liz Glazer, Jon Quinton Jones and more.
“The first time we ever did a 4/20 show we had Danny Tamborelli come down from the Adventures of Pete and Pete on Nickelodeon,” he says. “We did three sold out shows that year [2015], like back to back to back; the lineups were different for every show.”
How it Works
To start the game, eight comedians will gather on stage and sit in front of the audience. From then on, it is up to the audience to decide who is sober amongst a group of stoned individuals. The audience determines the “narc,” or sober contestant, through a series of “sobriety tests” where each comedian is prompted to answer questions or complete challenges.
As each audience member listens to the contestant’s response, they will either cheer — signaling that they believe the player is high — or must yell “narc” if they suspect the contestant is sober.
After some careful deliberation and plenty of laughs, the audience will identify one contestant as the “narc.”
Throughout the game, the audience will have several chances to win prizes. Some of these prizes include a bong, candies, stickers, lighters and other items. Grubbard tells Emerald there may even be a cash prize for a lucky winner.
Post from @weedingoutthestoned on Instagram.
A Game Show for Cannabis Awareness
The New York City-based venue, Asylum, hosts the game show each year.
Medical cannabis has been legal in New York since 2014, but residents welcomed recreational use in March 2021.
“In states where cannabis is fully legal and dispensaries are open, attendance is high,” Grubbard says in regards to his shows.
He continues to tell Emerald that even in these states, residents have a lack of knowledge about their cannabis rights.
Grubbard says “states that technically are legal cannabis states don’t have systems in place and are confusing. It’s hard to feel perfectly comfortable in a cannabis setting when it’s still unclear how to acquire and peacefully enjoy it, even in a decriminalized or recreational municipality.”
“Weeding Out The Stoned is unique in how many people play the games, that they are inebriated in a humorous yet comfortable environment,” Grubbard explains. “Always very funny, at its best, Weeding Out The Stoned is a commentary on the ridiculousness and absurdity that is the criminalization of cannabis.”
Weeding Out the Stoned aims to break the stigma of how one behaves after consuming cannabis. The audience may gravitate towards contestants that “appear” to be high based off of stereotypes. However, the effects of cannabis use will vary on the user — and these effects aren’t all that obvious. Considering that people must guess who is stoned and who isn’t (and that audiences don’t usually get it right); this highlights the fact that being high isn’t so apparent.
Post from @weedingoutthestoned on Instagram.
What To Expect and Future Shows
The game shows are ticketed events with no age limit. The interactive event will run for about 90 minutes. Due to New York City’s COVID-19 guidelines, everyone will need to be vaccinated to attend.
Grubbard says the most recent show on November 14th was a special one, as it was part of the New York City Comedy Festival. This seven-day event showcases over 200 comedians in over 100 venues. The festival has featured some of the biggest names in comedy from Bill Maher to Tracy Morgan.
As for future showings; on Monday, December 6th, the Ambassador Studios in South Hackensack, New Jersey will host Weeding Out the Stoned. There will also be two shows in Smodcastle, New Jersey on Saturday, December 11th.
Grubard says the Smodcastle event will be an exciting one because Smodcastle is filmmaker Kevin Smith’s new podcast theater. It is also located in the same strip mall as the Quik Stop and RST Video from the movie Clerks.
As for later showings in Asylum NYC, the game show generally occurs on a monthly basis and tickets will be on sale month before the show date.
Be part of this one-of-a-kind event — one might just be the lucky winner at the end of the night.
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