Super High Me

Doug Benson watched Morgan Spurlock eat fast food for a month and saw an opportunity to do the exact same thing with marijuana. The resulting documentary captures the comic abstaining from weed for 30 days, followed immediately by 30 days of nonstop smoking. Directed by Michael Blieden, the 2008 release intercuts Benson’s medical evaluations and standardized testing with footage of him performing stand-up at clubs across the country during both phases of the experiment.

At the time, Benson was a familiar face from VH1’s Best Week Ever and Last Comic Standing, having already established his laid-back persona with the off-Broadway show The Marijuana-Logues. The film tests the limits of that lifestyle. He takes the SATs, visits a psychic, and undergoes exams to track the physical and mental toll of constant consumption. The punchline of the experiment ends up being how little actually changes. Aside from an eight-pound weight gain and a slight dip in his ability to do mental math, his act, delivery, and even his sperm count remain largely unaffected.

Reception was understandably divided, with critics pointing out the lack of scientific rigor or dramatic tension. It turns out a functional stoner continuing to function is not exactly a medical emergency. Still, the project features a heavy rotation of 2000s alternative comedy figures, including appearances by Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt, and Bob Odenkirk, firmly cementing Benson’s status as the comedy scene’s default weed guy.