Rolling Stone Examines Ties Between Porn and Pot Industries

CHATSWORTH, Calif.—A new article published over the weekend by Rolling Stone consults a number of adult stars and other representatives on the increasingly symbiotic relationship between adult entertainment and the cannabis business (a topic AVN covered at length in December 2016 cover story "Going Green: From Porn to Pot"). Titled "Weed Porn: How Two Taboos Became Popuar Bedfellows," the story by frequent adult industry observer Lynsey G quotes performers Richelle Ryan, Vicki Chase, Kendra Sunderland, Ela Darling and Adult Performer Advocacy Committee president Mia Little (FKA Mia Li) on the subject, as well as director Fivestar and weed-centric production company Emerald Triangle Girls' publicist Kristel Penn. In addition, it lists off a number of the performers who've incorporated their pot partaking into their very identites, namely Jenna Sativa, Allie Haze, Karla Kush and Misty Stone (pictured above). One pertinent issue into which the article delves is the potentially problematic intersection of cannabis use as a common part of the porn culture and the ongoing, ever more heated debate over establishing consent in porn production. As it points out, "On traditional porn sets, most companies require performers to verify not only their identities and ages, but their sobriety." "When we sign the paperwork," Sunderland tells Rolling Stone, "we say, 'I'm not under the influence of any alcohol or drugs.'" Adds Darling, "Weed is a medicine, of course. It's also an intoxicant. And where does that come into play with consent?" While the article contends that most companies—including Emerald Trianlge Girls—simply do not allow cannabis consumption on set, it also quotes Sunderland as saying, "A lot of times, they don't really care if that's what you want to do to get yourself ready for the scene. If you just go outside and smoke a little bit, come in, and do your work, then most people don't care." Echoes Ryan, "A lot of people smoke on set, but they won't get that stoned, because you have to memorize your lines, and that's a lot of pressure!" Read the full article here. Photo of Misty Stone by Jay Allen, from December 2016 issue of AVN magazine. For the digital edition click here.