Seth Rogen on THC Drinks: 'Someone Is Very Threatened'

Seth Rogen has never been shy about his cannabis advocacy. But in a recent interview with Bon Appétit, the actor and entrepreneur offered particularly pointed observations about the current state of the marijuana industry-especially the growing backlash against THC beverages.

"Clearly Someone Is Very Threatened"

When asked about the future of the cannabis industry, Rogen didn't mince words about the regulatory pressure facing THC drinks.

"THC drinks are very clearly a hot area of discussion, and you see clearly someone is very threatened by them because a lot of states have a lot of lobbying and pressure to not sell them," he said.

That observation is backed by hard data. Congressional lobbying reports show a surge in activity from major alcohol companies and associations over the past three months, all focused on influencing federal hemp laws-particularly as they relate to THC beverages that consumers are increasingly choosing over beer and spirits.

The Perfect Entry Point

Rogen, whose cannabis brand Houseplant launched its own line of infused beverages last year, sees THC drinks as uniquely positioned to reach new consumers.

"They're a really good entry level weed product for people who are afraid of cannabis," he explained. "A lot of people drink alcohol. A lot of people are looking for some sort of release, and I actually think weed is probably a very good choice for a lot of people who don't think it is a good choice for them. It's all about finding the right way to consume it."

Pushing Back on Restrictions

The comedian didn't hold back when discussing state-level efforts to restrict cannabis products.

"The idea that that shouldn't be allowed to happen in every state is really patronizing to people-it's treating people like they're idiots," Rogen said. "We're not stupid. We know what this does. We know it's not more dangerous than alcohol."

His frustration reflects a broader sentiment among cannabis advocates: that prohibition-era thinking persists despite mounting evidence of marijuana's relative safety compared to legal substances like alcohol.

The Accessibility Gap

For Rogen, the expansion of THC beverages into restaurants, bars, and sports arenas represents long-overdue progress.

"I've always said until it's as easy to buy weed as it is alcohol, there is a major gap in logic at play," he said. "If you sell beer, there's no reason not to sell [THC beverages], and some places have actually started to do that. That is really encouraging and exciting, and suggests a cultural shift that is tremendous."

That cultural shift is already visible in the marketplace:

• Target recently began selling THC-infused drinks at select Minnesota locations
• Cannabis beverages are appearing in restaurants and sporting venues
• A recent poll found the Target decision popular among a majority of cannabis consumers

Reflecting on Stigma and Change

Rogen also discussed his unique role in cannabis culture evolution. He recounted a conversation with retired late-night host David Letterman, who told him "no one talks about this."

Even marijuana legend Woody Harrelson "was very coy about it and wouldn't directly say he smoked weed all the time," Rogen recalled. "Now he does, and now he has a dispensary. But at the time, it was not a thing that actors in mainstream movies did."

Why Stigmas Are Fading

According to Rogen, cannabis culture has evolved because "people have started to see that the reasons weed was illegal in the first place were highly dubious."

"They've started to question why weed would be so hard to access when alcohol is so easy," he said. "It seems like a new lie kind of prevails every now and then from whomever wants weed to remain illegal. First it was it'll just make you go fucking crazy, and then it'll make you lazy, and then it's a gateway drug."

"And slowly, people's own experience tells them that you can be lazy and crazy and become a drug addict without ever trying weed, and you could smoke weed and never have any of those things happen to you. People saw that with their own eyes, and slowly, these stigmas started to go away."

Beyond Entertainment: Advocacy Work

While Rogen is best known for his acting and comedy, he's also leveraged his platform for cannabis reform advocacy.

In 2021, he joined comedian Sarah Silverman and other influencers in a campaign encouraging voters to contact senators and demand action on federal legalization legislation.

His advocacy extends to cultural commentary as well. Earlier this year, Rogen disclosed the one place he refuses to use cannabis: Singapore, which maintains some of the world's strictest anti-drug laws-a reminder that despite progress in the U.S., global cannabis prohibition remains very real.

The Bigger Picture

Rogen's comments about THC beverages being "threatened" reflect a larger truth about the cannabis industry's growth: success breeds opposition.

As cannabis products-particularly beverages-gain mainstream acceptance and market share, they increasingly compete with established industries that have significant lobbying power and political influence.

The fact that major alcohol companies are actively lobbying against hemp-derived THC products while simultaneously seeing their own market share erode demonstrates the competitive threat cannabis represents.

What Makes THC Drinks Different

Part of what makes cannabis beverages so disruptive is their familiarity. Unlike smoking or vaping, drinking is a consumption method most adults are already comfortable with. THC drinks offer:

• Predictable dosing for controlled experiences
• Familiar format that reduces intimidation
• Social acceptability in settings where smoking isn't appropriate
• Alcohol alternative for those seeking different effects

This combination makes them particularly appealing to the "canna-curious"-people interested in trying cannabis but hesitant about traditional consumption methods.

Looking Forward

Rogen's optimism about cannabis beverages prevailing "in response to consumer demand" reflects confidence that market forces will ultimately win out over regulatory restrictions.

As he sees it, the expansion of THC drinks into mainstream retail and hospitality venues isn't just good business-it's a sign of fundamental cultural change that's "tremendous" in its implications.

Whether he's right that consumer demand will overcome industry opposition and regulatory hurdles remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the conversation around cannabis has shifted dramatically from where it was even a decade ago.

And Seth Rogen, who's been openly advocating for marijuana throughout his career, played no small role in making that shift possible.