“When you get older, you do it with purpose,” says Marlon Wayans in an exclusive interview, reflecting on his evolving relationship with cannabis. The multi-talented actor, comedian, and producer, known for his iconic roles in weed-forward films like “Scary Movie” and “Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood,” has seen his use of cannabis transition from youthful experimentation to a purposeful part of his lifestyle.
He openly shares how his perspective has matured over the years. “When you’re younger, you just smoke because you like smoking; you want to get high and be with your friends,” he explains. “When you get older, it’s like, okay, I’m gonna do this strain because I want to just relax right now. I want this kind of weed because I just want to chill right now and have some fun.” This evolution mirrors the broader societal shift towards understanding and embracing the multifaceted uses of cannabis, beyond mere recreation.
Calling from his home in Los Angeles, Wayans is in the midst of a busy schedule, juggling film shoots and stand-up shows. “I’ve been crazy. I was filming a movie… then wrapping the movie, then doing stand-up shows and promoting my special,” he says. He recently finished filming a psychological horror movie directed by Justin Tipping and written by Jordan Peele, which is set to release in September, 2025. “I finally am home. I was in Albuquerque filming a Jordan Peele movie. I got the lead in this movie called ‘Him’… It got me in shape and I’m happy about that because I play a football player. It’s a great role, a great movie.”
Despite his hectic life, Wayans makes time for projects that align with his passions, one of which is his partnership with Dr. Green NFT.
Business, Health, Relaxation, Creativity: One Plant Fits All
Wayans’ connection with Dr. Green NFT, spearheaded by British-Jamaican billionaire entrepreneur Maximillian White, marks his formal entry into the cannabis industry. His decision to join the project was carefully considered. “I’ve been offered a lot of deals. I was talking to a few people. I chose Dr. Green because I felt like this company actually knows what they’re talking about,” Wayans notes.
White elaborates on the company’s approach: “Nobody yet has been able to grow massive quantities of medical marijuana on a huge scale like I have; not even half of what we’ve done… They can’t do it because it’s a complex situation and it’s expensive and time-consuming.”
For Wayans, cannabis is not just about personal enjoyment; it’s a tool for creativity and well-being. “Sometimes it’s just to relax, sometimes it’s when I want to write,” he shares. “I want to think creatively and allow my mind to expand, so I smoke a specific strain or take a specific gummy.”
Wayans’ advocacy extends beyond personal use as he addresses systemic issues: He is acutely aware of the racial biases that have marred the history of cannabis legislation and enforcement in the United States. “A lot of my friends used to get pulled over and get in trouble for smoking weed,” he recalls, pointing out the disproportionate impact on black and brown communities. While acknowledging the progress made, he insists there’s still a long way to go in ensuring equitable treatment and opportunities within the industry.
Additionally, he is a strong proponent of the plant’s therapeutic value. “I have two friends battling cancer right now and when they’re in severe pain, exactly what they do is get them some cannabis, and it’s the only thing that stops the pain,” he says.
Reflecting on his career, Wayans discusses how cannabis has influenced his work: “For me, I always like my movies I make, and it’s funny. It’s not on purpose, but we made movies for weedheads. If you look at ‘Scary Movie,’ Shorty, the character, was literally every dude I knew in the 90s wrapped up in one.”
“My message is always gonna be life, love, and laughter, no matter what I do. Over the years, I’ve fed a lot of laughs to my audience. So when it comes to me and marijuana, I’m bringing the fun, the laughs, the jokes, the silly, the creative… all the good things that I extracted from the culture. I’m giving back to the culture and looking forward to making more movies, smoking and having my marijuana, and making myself loud, smoking my own marijuana tomorrow.”
His involvement with Dr. Green NFT also provides an educational opportunity. Wayans is eager to learn more about the intricacies of cannabis cultivation and distribution. “I am going to Portugal and they’re gonna just show me all the stuff… how it’s grown. I’ll go on a tour and get to educate myself. This is school. I’m going to weed school,” he says.
H/T: www.forbes.com
