Hundreds of celebrities passed away in 2022, bequeathing legacies in politics, sports, cinema and more. Of those hundreds, four were comedians who shared one dubious honor: having a weed strain named after them.
Sounds exciting, right? But is it legal for a cannabis horticulturalist to do that? We posed the question to an authority on the subject, Rod Berman, Chair of the Intellectual Property Division of Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP, and were told: “Unless the celebrity has given their permission for this naming, it is not legal and violates their ‘Right of Publicity’ according to California law as well as the law of numerous other states.”
So, although such a thing can be done legally, “Head” wasn’t able to verify whether the makers of the following four weed strains obtained the proper intellectual property/copyright permissions prior to naming them. Accordingly, out of respect for celebrities’ right of publicity, we are not endorsing these products in this article. The information presented here is intended only in memoriam.
Bob Saget Photo credt: Behind The Velvet Rope TV, via Wikimedia Commons
BOB SAGET
Bob Saget (1956-2022) is best known for his role as the wholesome widower Danny Tanner on the sitcoms “Full House” and “Fuller House,” and as the family-friendly 1990s host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” His stand-up comedy, on the other hand, could be rather edgy. Although often reserved for comedy clubs, his raunchy side was on full display in “The Aristocrats” (2005), a documentary about a famous dirty joke.
His 30-year career went beyond the modest venues of stand-up comedy clubs and TV to the lofty stages of Broadway, starting with the 2007 Tony Award-winning musical “The Drowsy Chaperone.” There were many other projects of his, such as the HBO stand-up special “Bob Saget: That Ain’t Right” (2007), his Grammy-nominated stand-up album “That’s What I’m Talking About” (2014), two books, a podcast, and numerous stage and TV performances. At the time of his passing, he was actually traveling the country in the middle of the “I Don’t Do Negative Tour.”
Saget’s weed strain picks up where his talents left off, known for spiking creativity and silliness. AllBud describes an experience with it as follows:
The Bob Saget high starts with a happy energetic lift that’s slightly tingly in your temples and behind the eyes. As this heady effect builds, you’ll start to fall into a giggly and sociable state that lends itself well to social outings and just hanging out with friends. This high will build with seemingly no ceiling, so be sure to avoid it if you suffer from anxiety in the slightest, as it will aggravate it. The comedown from this high is super stoney and can leave you spacey and sleepy, especially if you’ve had a few bowls. In combination with its high 18% + THC level, these effects give Bob Saget an edge in treating conditions such as chronic fatigue, depression, muscle spasms, and stress.
PotGuide recommends “The Bob” for mind-engaging activities, such as creative tasks or video games. It cautions, however, that the strain isn’t conducive to conversations: “The mind-racing going on inside the head often overrides the conversation with others. As it winds down, the mind becomes a little slower and a soft cloudiness sets in.” For other descriptions of the high, flavor, composition and more, check out the Bob Saget weed strain reviews by WikiLeaf, Leafly, I Love Growing Marijuana and SeedFinder.
This strain won second place at the 2016 Colorado Cannabis Cup, so it shares some of the love the actor himself received. However, it didn’t actually have Saget’s blessing, given that the comedian didn’t smoke weed. That said, in perfect irony, Saget did debate whether he should sell his namesake strain at his shows and give a portion of the proceeds to charities that support rehabilitation centers.
Gallagher Photo Credit: Malicedoom via Wikimedia Commons
GALLAGHER
Gallagher (1946-2022) took performance props to a new level of weird when he introduced his trademark show-finisher: smashing food with a ludicrously oversized mallet. His stand-up acts included observational humor and political commentary, but they famously concluded with a faux infomercial for the Sledge-O-Matic (parodying the Veg-O-Matic) kitchen appliance. Produced by the fictional Master Tool Corporation, a so-called subsidiary of equally nonexistent Fly-By-Night Industries, this device was ideal for destroying produce – and audiences couldn’t get enough of it.
Unlike many of his contemporaries in stand-up comedy, Gallagher chose not to do sitcoms, but to continue touring on the road for decades. He made comedy specials on HBO and Showtime though. And he did his act on several TV shows, including “The Merv Griffin Show” and “The Tonight Show,” during Johnny Carson’s time as host. Departing sharply from show biz, he even ran for governor in California in 2003, but lost to Arnold Schwarzenegger. By the 2010s, he had grown weary of touring and – more decisively – came under fire for racist and homophobic remarks made during his shows and interviews. So, after playing over 3,500 shows, he wound down his career in 2019 with his final tour, “The Last Smash.”
No reviews are available online of the Gallagher weed strain, but SeedFinder profiles it in great detail on its Gallagher webpage. The strain was created by Mo Stanky Danks in 2020 as a 50-50 cross between Sour Peach Face and 9lb Hammer (the latter chosen for obvious reasons), and it contains roughly 26% THC. Its flavor is compared to grape candy, based on the aromatic compounds in its terpene profile.
The combination of a cannabis plant’s terpenes and cannabinoids (notably THC and CBD) is largely what determines the plant’s therapeutic effects, according to the Oasis Cannabis Dispensary. So, although the flavor is inferred on SeedFinder from its composition, the Gallagher strain’s effects remain shrouded in mystery in cyberspace – despite the strain’s being “extremely recommended” on said website. If you’ve tried this strain, contact “Head” to let us know what you think of it!
Gilbert Gottfried Photo credit: Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, via Wikimedia Commons
GILBERT GOTTFRIED
Gilbert Gottfried (1955-2022) is best remembered for the shrill, strident, raspy voice he created when making a name for himself in the 1980s as an up-and-coming comedian and actor. As a “Saturday Night Live” cast member from 1980 to 1981, he was actually still using his natural voice – nothing like what went on to become one of the most iconic voices in showbusiness. It wasn’t until after his SNL sojourn that he began to craft a persona that cleverly synchronized a distinct personality with a one-of-a-kind voice. This blend of technique and instinct defined his future, and with the momentum from his new shtick, he secured roles in movies and TV shows and evolved his stand-up comedy career.
Throughout the 2000s, Gottfried voiced animated characters and appeared sporadically as a contestant or consultant on reality TV shows. In the late 2010s, the documentary “Gilbert” (2017) told his life story, and he co-hosted the “Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast!” with Frank Santopadre, interviewing other celebrities. Due to his remaining in character at all times, he got away with a lot of politically incorrect humor – not always, but often. For that reason, he became known as “the comedian’s comedian,” according to his representative.
Like the Gallagher strain, the Gilbert Gottfried weed strain has no reviews available online but is profiled extensively by SeedFinder on the organization’s Gilbert Gottfried webpage. The strain is bred and sold by Gus’ Unique Selections as a 50-50 indica-sativa, THC-dominant variety that crosses Purple Wreck with Banana Split. The flavor, based on the terpene profile, ranges from honeysuckle and bananas to fresh berries. If you’ve tried the Gilbert Gottfried strain, contact “Head” to let us know what you think of it!
Betty White Photo Credit: by Alan Light, via Wikimedia Commons
BETTY WHITE
Yes, Betty White (1922-2021) left us in 2021, departing this world on Dec. 31. But she gets 2022 credit in this author’s opinion, simply for the unforgiveable sin it would be to omit an international treasure of her magnitude on account of a few hours. So, here’s to you, Betty!
Of course, most people today know her from her role as the dimwitted but kindhearted, childlike Rose Nylund on the TV show “The Golden Girls.” But her career spanned three generations, starting with her debut (as an extra, but still a presence) in the short film “Time to Kill” (1945). Seven years after that first modest appearance, she was already producing her own TV show, “Life with Elizabeth.” Comparable to “I Love Lucy,” the sitcom ran for three years, totaling 40 episodes.
For the next 40 years, White worked mostly in TV, in both series and movies. She gained exceptional fame as Sue Ann Nivens on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” and she was given her own show a second time after her four-year stint as Sue Ann. “The Betty White Show” aired from 1977 to 1978 and had 14 episodes. Her relatively low profile persisted until 2010, when her starring role in a Super Bowl ad for Snickers moved her from the shadows of bit parts on TV to the limelight. An article in “People” sums up what happened:
In 2010, at age 87, she enjoyed an awards-laden resurgence, when, after starring on a Snickers commercial during the Super Bowl, polls and petitions overwhelmingly named her the public’s choice to host Saturday Night Live, emcee various awards shows and even be a sergeant’s date at a Marine Corps ball.
After that, she went on to star and steal scenes on the TV Land sitcom Hot in Cleveland, even scoring an Emmy nomination — her 17th, including seven wins. In May 2012 she also debuted on the NBC comedy reality show Betty White’s Off Their Rockers, a kind of geriatric Punk’d. As always, she proved a favorite. But her passion was always animal welfare; the dues for her fan club, Bet’s Pets, went to animal rescue charities, and she received many accolades for her work for animals.
Consequently, she ended up being woven deeply into America’s cultural fabric – including cannabis. Bred by Killa Treez, the Betty White weed strain is an indica-sativa cross between Blueberry and White Widow and contains roughly 18% THC. Green Rush describes it as follows:
Betty is famous in its own right for its even, balanced effects that offer relaxation from stress and anxiety along with a sense of euphoria. This strain is perfect for inspiring an upbeat mood and may lead to conversation and creative pursuits. This plant’s flowers have a light sour berry and pine smell and a fresh taste similar to their scent.
LITTO goes into greater detail on both the mood and the flavor of the strain:
This Hybrid strain is a great choice for users seeking a little help with reducing their symptoms of stress and anxiety, because of this strain being more Indica dominant. However, the Sativa effects in this strain make themselves known relatively quickly by making users feel talkative and creative. There are some users who report feeling hungrier than normal, as well. Overall, users will undoubtedly feel their mood improve when using LITTO’s Betty White.
Contrary to the strain name, this strain borders on the sweeter side. There are subtle notes of berries and earthy tastes, the best of both flavors is achievable; though, this strain is not overwhelmingly sweet, there are hints of refreshing papaya within each exhale.
Hytiva describes the Betty White strain’s high as “an intense psychoactive experience in addition to a sedative and blissful body buzz,” recommending it for mood regulation and pain management. One might wonder, would Betty have recommended it herself? Well, there’s some ambiguity there. Although she is quoted as saying, “I don’t do dope jokes,” when refusing to tell one on TV in 2010, Joan Rivers contradicted her in a 2012 interview. An article in “The Huffington Post” claims Rivers said she used to get high with White “in the dark ages.” So, who knows.
In any case, whether these four late comedians got high on their own proverbial supply, they’re now stars burning brightly at the end of a blunt somewhere, keeping people laughing from afar. And that’s something anyone who makes a living off giggles can appreciate to some degree.
Kathleen Hearons is an editor, writer, voice over actor and avid cinephile. She lives and works in the greater Los Angeles area.
