From college flashbacks to casual rooftop conversations, How I Met Your Mother cleverly wove cannabis references into its storyline—often using the recurring euphemism “eating a sandwich” to sidestep network restrictions.

Whether explicit or coded, these moments added a humorous and relatable layer to the characters’ experiences. Below is a complete list of every clear marijuana reference throughout the show, organized by season and episode.

Season 1, Episode 6 – “The Slutty Pumpkin”

During Ted’s Halloween party, a guy dressed as an angel casually asks, “You guys got some weed?” This is the first explicit reference to marijuana in the series.

Season 3, Episode 2 – “We’re Not From Here”

Robin returns from a trip and confesses she accidentally ate a muffin laced with marijuana. She says, “Marijuana is illegal in the United States, even when baked into a blueberry muffin,” and later admits, “I’m still pretty baked.”

Season 3, Episode 5 – “How I Met Everyone Else”

In a college flashback, Ted walks in on Marshall smoking weed—though the show uses the euphemism “eating a sandwich.” A student warns, “Dude, the dean is coming – put out your sandwich.” Ted is then seen “eating a sandwich” too.

Season 4, Episode 10 – “The Fight”

Ted and Marshall are shown in college watching a movie while “eating a sandwich.” The visual and euphemism clearly reference marijuana.

Season 6, Episode 8 – “Natural History”

A flashback shows Lily and Marshall high in their dorm room “eating a sandwich” while joking about another student. It’s implied they’re smoking marijuana.

Season 6, Episode 10 – “Blitzgiving”

Another college flashback shows Ted and Marshall “eating a sandwich” the night of the Blitz Thanksgiving. Though the phrase is used jokingly, it clearly implies they were smoking weed.

Season 6, Episode 18 – “A Change of Heart”

Robin’s new boyfriend Scooby shares “sandwiches” with the group. Ted’s narration makes it clear they all got high. Scooby’s dog-like behavior while high adds to the comedic scene.

Season 6, Episode 24 – “Challenge Accepted”

A street vendor sees the gang in distress and casually asks, “So, uh, you guys… want to buy some weed or…?” This is another explicit mention of marijuana.

Season 7, Episode 10 – “Tick Tick Tick”

Ted and Marshall attend a music festival and get stoned. Marshall says, “I think that sandwich was laced with other stuff… like hard meats,” highlighting how strong the weed was.

Season 7, Episode 12 – “Symphony of Illumination”

Marshall decorates for Christmas while a teen neighbor drops a ladder, “eats a sandwich,” and throws a party. The sandwich clearly implies weed use.

Season 7, Episode 23 – “The Broath”

Marshall’s dad is shown holding a sandwich during a flashback, implying he was smoking weed. Lily also jokes that she once caught Marshall “eating a sandwich” during sex—though she’s not sure if it was literal or not.

Season 7, Episode 24 – “The Magician’s Code – Part Two”

Ted is shown “eating a sandwich” in the background during a college flashback while Marshall staples himself on stage—another weed reference.

Season 8, Episode 6 – “The Stamp Tramp”

In old college video diaries, two students are seen “eating a sandwich” in Ted and Marshall’s dorm room, clearly referencing marijuana use.

Season 8, Episode 17 – “The Ashtray”

Robin reminds Ted that he and Becky were high when they met The Captain: “He had shared a sandwich with Becky.” Ted’s narration confirms this is code for weed.

Season 9, Episode 10 – “Mom and Dad”

Robin’s cousin introduces Ted to an elderly Rastafarian who is shown “eating a sandwich” on the beach—again, clearly smoking marijuana.