It’s expensive to do large-school development in the mountains, so they tend to stay the same. But we’re also outdoorsy people. And we love our weed, obviously.
I’m definitely going into a pot store when I’m there next. I went into one in California and as a non-pot-person I was overwhelmed at the organization of it. It felt like a grocery store for healthy people. There were bags that looked like they should have coffee, but it’s not. It all looks homemade and homegrown. It’s just the most fascinating thing.
Map: Colorado medical dispensaries and recreational marijuana centers
People here have a hard time comparing it to anything.
It would be like the first time going into a grocery store as an adult. Like, “Wow, look at this!” I will never be more shocked at anything in my lifetime. Nothing in politics has changed in my lifetime. Immigration? Education? All these other laws people are trying to pass? Nothing’s happened with all of these major things. But the pot people got their issue through. They were prepared, they were ready for it to pass, they’ve got stores open, it’s organized, it’s labeled. I just think the whole thing’s overwhelmingly shocking.
A lot of other comics, including Lewis Black, have told me you’re their favorite comedian. What makes for a so-called comic’s comic?
I would say it means you’re funny to both the general public and other comics. Not every single person on both sides of the fence, but you’re still really liking what you do.
Cannabist Q&A: Fielding queries from readers about all marijuana matters
And certainly other comedians can be tough to impress.
There’s always the comics in the back of the room watching you perform. We always joke about “alternative comics,” and I’m like, “I don’t even know why you would use that term. Isn’t the alternative to comedy tragedy?” If I want to watch someone be tragic in a bar for an hour I’ll go out with one of my real friends and watch them get drunk.
Speaking of getting drunk: a lot of comics are doing material about getting sober these days, but you have a great bit about enjoying drinking and smoking — not to excess, but still. Have we lost the ability to enjoy ourselves without going crazy?
I was hanging out with this comic Vic Henley the other night who’s a friend of mine, or when I’m hanging out with Bill Engvall… there are some comics where we hang out and can just have three beers or two glasses of wine, and we’re fine. I don’t do drugs but I don’t care if you do, so I’m always amazed when I’m on the road with people who are either getting sober right now and are completely crabby, or who are raging lunatics to the point where I’m like, “I am not getting in the car with you.” My gut just says, “no.”
That’s probably a good thing to recognize.
I’ve always just been a three-beer date. I don’t want to go crazy or black out or throw up, but I do want to go to the bar and catch up and have some drinks. I’ve never stood in line for a dance club, but I like having conversations. Whatever happened to that?
