Today is 4/20, a yearly celebration of weed culture affectionately known in some circles as Christmas for Stoners. So, what better time to celebrate our favorite pot-smoking TV characters?

Once upon a time, portraying characters smoking was taboo, but those boundaries have eroded in recent years as pot has gained greater acceptance in mainstream culture. These days it can be hard to find a comedy that doesn't have a lovable, high-all-the-time sidekick. Read on for a salute to our favorite TV blazers.

Andy and Doug, 'Weeds'
In a show built around bud, these two stoned rascals provide the perma-baked comic relief. Getting high fuels and often solves their misadventures, and thanks to Nancy's family business, it's always around to help them cope when times get tough.


Everyone, 'That 70s Show'
Rather than single out any particular character here, let's take a moment to appreciate the innovative smoking-circle camera techniques that signaled every '70s Show' basement smoking session. The method captures the feeling of sitting on the floor with a circle of your closest friends, thinking deep, silly thoughts and laughing like fools. That's smoking realism, man.


Bill Maher, 'Real Time'
Yeah, we know he's not a TV character, but you're probably stoned right now anyway, so just chill. Not only is Maher a consistent advocate of pot legalization, but he's one of the only celebrity stoners around who's not ashamed to admit it. His weed jokes and panel discussions can be both hilarious and thought-provoking. Plus, that time Zack Galifianakis smoked a joint on the show was pretty cool.


Kenny Powers, 'Eastbound & Down'
Between the steroids, cocaine and ecstasy-induced dance parties, Kenny Powers does not discriminate when it comes to getting high. But weed has always been a staple of his strict drug and alcohol regimen. He gets massive bonus points for coining the phrase "smoking weed on the reg."




Cody, 'Step by Step'
OK, so maybe we never actually saw him smoke on this family show, but he lived in a van, had the signature laugh and was always a step slow. Connect the dots, people.


George Christopher, 'Bored to Death'
Ted Danson's portrayal of the erudite, professionally successful, smooth-with-the-ladies, been-smoking-since-the-'60s George serves as a shining beacon of hope to TV-watching stoners. Maybe it is possible to smoke every day and still be a functioning, productive member of society. Wait, he's a fictional character? Damn.


The Gang, 'How I Met Your Mother'
The gang on 'HIMYM' are occasionally depicted "eating sandwiches," some of them small and some gigantic. It's a convenient euphemism for a show that's built around a middle-aged man telling tales of his youth to his teenage kids. Given that smoking pot can often lead to eating mass quantities of sandwiches, it's a natural fit.


Reverend Jim, 'Taxi'
Christopher Lloyd's classic character on 'Taxi' was always in another world, punctuating his observations with a resigned "Okee dokee." How he managed to get a job driving a cab, we'll never know, but hey, it was the '70s. In this clip, we see his introduction to weed brownies at Harvard. Also, check out Tom Hanks staring at a lava lamp.


Shaggy & Scooby, 'Scooby-Doo!'
These cartoon icons have long been suspected of being secret stoners, and they certainly display all the tell-tale signs: the scruffy beard, outside-the-box thinking, constantly having the munchies, excessive time spent in a van, the high-pitched frantic voice. Every classic children's show deserves some subliminal messaging.



Follow Alex on Twitter @alexmoaba.