Breaking Bad is remembered primarily for methamphetamine, cartels and Walter White’s transformation from chemistry teacher to drug kingpin, but marijuana also played a recurring and surprisingly important role throughout the series.

Cannabis was initially used as Walt’s cover story for his secret relationship with Jesse Pinkman. It later appeared through Jesse’s personal use, Hank Schrader’s dismissive attitude toward minor marijuana offenses and, eventually, a missing bag of weed that helped Jesse uncover one of Walt’s biggest deceptions.

Below is a chronological breakdown of every clear marijuana reference in Breaking Bad.

“Cat’s in the Bag…,” Season 1, Episode 2

Marijuana first appears prominently while Walt and Jesse are dealing with Krazy-8 and Emilio following their disastrous initial meth deal.

Jesse rolls and smokes a joint while the two argue over who should kill Krazy-8 and who should dispose of Emilio’s body. Walt takes the joint from Jesse and smokes it himself as he struggles with the prospect of killing another person.

When Jesse returns from buying plastic containers, he asks for his marijuana back, explaining that it helps with his nausea.

Marijuana also becomes Walt’s first cover story after Skyler begins asking questions about Jesse. Walt tells her Jesse sells him pot, claiming he uses marijuana occasionally and enjoys it.

Skyler is shocked that her 50-year-old husband is supposedly buying marijuana from one of his former students. Walt maintains the lie rather than reveal that he and Jesse are manufacturing methamphetamine together.

Skyler subsequently visits Jesse’s house and delivers one of the show’s most recognizable warnings, identifying herself, noting that her brother-in-law is a Drug Enforcement Administration agent and ordering Jesse not to sell marijuana to Walt.

Jesse does not understand what she is talking about, but quickly realizes Walt has used him as part of a fabricated marijuana story.

“…And the Bag’s in the River,” Season 1, Episode 3

Walt’s marijuana cover story begins spreading through the White family.

Skyler tells Marie that Walt has been smoking marijuana. Marie then relays the information to Hank, though she initially makes it sound as if the concern involves Walter Jr.

When Marie identifies the substance as marijuana, Hank laughs at the idea that occasional pot use constitutes a major crisis. He jokes about the lack of gruesome marijuana-overdose photographs he could use to frighten someone.

Despite dismissing the seriousness of marijuana itself, Hank agrees to talk with Walter Jr. He takes him to the Crystal Palace motel and introduces him to Wendy, a sex worker who struggles with meth addiction, as part of an exaggerated attempt to show where drug use could supposedly lead.

The entire encounter is based on a misunderstanding: Walter Jr. is not using marijuana, and Skyler’s original concern was about Walt.

“Cancer Man,” Season 1, Episode 4

Marijuana plays an important role in Jesse’s strained relationship with his family.

After Jesse returns to his parents’ house, he offers marijuana to a friend while talking on the phone, telling him that he has plenty of pot. His parents remain suspicious of Jesse because of his history with drugs, even as he tries to reconnect with them and his younger brother, Jake.

A joint is later discovered inside the house. Jesse’s parents immediately assume it belongs to Jesse and order him to leave.

The joint actually belongs to Jake, who has quietly begun experimenting with marijuana despite being presented as the accomplished and responsible child. Jesse accepts the blame rather than expose his younger brother.

As Jesse leaves, Jake asks him to return the joint. Jesse refuses and crushes it under his foot, protecting Jake from their parents while also making it clear that he does not want his brother following the same path.

“Gray Matter,” Season 1, Episode 5

Walt’s supposed marijuana use comes up during the family intervention organized after he initially refuses cancer treatment.

Hank refers to Walt smoking marijuana and says he knows people at the Drug Enforcement Administration who could help him if he ever got caught. Hank’s casual response again shows that, despite being a federal drug agent, he does not view personal marijuana use as particularly serious.

The conversation also reveals that Hank thought Walter Jr. was using marijuana because of how the information had been passed between Skyler and Marie.

Walter Jr. is confused and reminds the family that Hank previously forced him to look at a motel resident’s decayed teeth as part of an anti-drug lecture.

“Crazy Handful of Nothin’,” Season 1, Episode 6

Marijuana appears as part of the fallout from Walt’s increasingly elaborate deception.

After school janitor Hugo Archilleya is arrested on suspicion of stealing chemistry equipment, police search his vehicle and find a small amount of marijuana.

Hugo is not connected to the theft, which was committed by Walt, but he loses his job because of the marijuana possession. Hank tells Walt that Hugo had a prior record and says marijuana was found in his truck.

The storyline illustrates one of the early consequences of Walt’s criminal conduct. Hugo is punished for possessing marijuana while Walt escapes responsibility for stealing school equipment and using it to manufacture methamphetamine.

“Grilled,” Season 2, Episode 2

Walt’s marijuana cover story returns after he disappears while being held by Tuco Salamanca.

As the family tries to determine where Walt could be, Marie asks whether marijuana may be involved. Skyler says Walt is no longer using pot, prompting Marie to question whether that assurance came from Walt himself.

Marie then observes that chemotherapy and marijuana are commonly associated, treating medical marijuana use as a plausible explanation for Walt’s behavior.

Of course, Walt’s disappearance has nothing to do with marijuana. He and Jesse have been kidnapped by a violent methamphetamine distributor.

“Breakage,” Season 2, Episode 5

Jesse establishes rules for Skinny Pete, Badger and Combo after recruiting them to sell methamphetamine.

During their meeting, Jesse tells the group there will be no beer or weed while they are conducting business. They can smoke marijuana on their own time, but Jesse wants them focused while handling his meth operation.

The line distinguishes marijuana from the product they are selling. Jesse uses cannabis himself, but sees being high during business as a potential liability.

“Negro y Azul,” Season 2, Episode 7

Jesse retreats into his apartment and repeatedly smokes marijuana after witnessing the violent death of Spooge.

When Walt arrives, Jesse initially tries to avoid him. Walt takes Jesse’s marijuana, but Jesse asks for it back and says it helps with his nausea.

The scene echoes Jesse’s earlier statement in “Cat’s in the Bag…” and again presents marijuana as something he uses to manage physical discomfort and emotional distress.

Walt is far more concerned about Jesse attracting police attention than about his marijuana use. His focus is protecting their meth business.

“4 Days Out,” Season 2, Episode 9

Marijuana is mentioned when Walt tells Jesse they need to spend several days cooking meth in the desert.

Jesse claims he already has plans. Walt dismisses those “plans” as sitting around smoking marijuana, eating Cheetos and masturbating.

The line is played for humor, but it also reflects Walt’s condescending view of Jesse. Walt sees Jesse’s marijuana use as evidence of laziness and a lack of ambition, even while depending on him as a business partner.

“No Más,” Season 3, Episode 1

Walt’s original marijuana lie resurfaces during his confrontation with Skyler.

After Skyler demands an honest explanation for his behavior, Walt admits that he manufactures methamphetamine. Skyler initially assumes he is talking about marijuana and references Jesse.

Walt corrects her and explicitly identifies the substance as methamphetamine, adding that he manufactures it rather than functioning as a dealer.

The exchange closes the marijuana cover story that began in the first season. Skyler finally learns that Walt’s connection to Jesse was never about buying pot.

“Caballo sin Nombre,” Season 3, Episode 2

Marijuana receives a brief mention during Hank’s investigation of the Cousins’ abandoned truck.

As agents consider what the truck may have been transporting, marijuana is listed alongside cocaine and methamphetamine as a possible narcotic cargo.

The investigators conclude that the vehicle does not appear to have been carrying drugs, leading Hank to continue examining why it attracted attention.

“Green Light,” Season 3, Episode 4

A gas station cashier discusses marijuana while Jesse attempts to persuade her to accept methamphetamine as payment for gasoline.

The cashier says she sometimes smokes a lot of pot and parties, but she is reluctant to try meth because she has heard it is highly addictive.

Jesse downplays the risks, claims meth’s reputation is largely a media creation and ultimately convinces her to take some of his product.

The scene draws a clear distinction between the cashier’s familiarity with marijuana and her initial fear of methamphetamine. Jesse exploits that trust to introduce her to a substantially more dangerous drug.

“Sunset,” Season 3, Episode 6

Hank references marijuana while questioning Jesse about the recreational vehicle used as Walt and Jesse’s first mobile meth lab.

Hank acknowledges that Jesse may have sold him a little weed in the past, but says he does not care about that. He even jokingly tells Jesse that, as far as he is concerned, he never inhaled.

Hank’s real interest is the RV and its connection to meth manufacturing. The exchange again shows that he considers marijuana dealing insignificant compared with the crimes he is investigating.

“I See You,” Season 3, Episode 8

Marijuana comes up as Marie tries to make sense of Hank’s violent confrontation with Jesse.

Marie tells Walt that Hank would never have heard Jesse Pinkman’s name if Walt had not supposedly purchased marijuana from him.

The statement relies on the original cover story, which Marie still believes. In reality, Hank encountered Jesse because Walt involved him in a large-scale meth operation and repeatedly placed both families in danger.

“Kafkaesque,” Season 3, Episode 9

Badger makes a brief marijuana reference while discussing a fundraising effort for Hank’s medical expenses.

Badger says he traded an item connected to the fundraiser for an ounce of weed. The remark is used as a quick joke during the effort to create a believable explanation for money being directed toward Hank’s recovery.

“Thirty-Eight Snub,” Season 4, Episode 2

Marijuana is among the substances present during the nonstop parties Jesse holds at his house after killing Gale Boetticher.

Jesse surrounds himself with people, loud music and drug use to avoid being alone with his guilt. Smoking paraphernalia, including a bong, can be seen inside the house as partygoers consume various substances.

Although meth receives more attention during the episode, the marijuana imagery contributes to the drug-filled environment Jesse creates around himself.

“Blood Money,” Season 5, Episode 9

Jesse openly smokes marijuana in the waiting room outside Saul Goodman’s office.

Francesca tells Saul that Jesse is outside smoking pot. When Jesse enters, Saul jokingly invites him to pull up a bong and take a seat before immediately clarifying that he is kidding and should not actually do that.

The marijuana use reflects Jesse’s deteriorating mental condition after he begins giving away the money Walt paid him. Saul treats it as a minor annoyance compared with Jesse’s increasingly unpredictable behavior.

“Confessions,” Season 5, Episode 11

Marijuana plays its most consequential role in the entire series.

As Jesse prepares to disappear and begin a new life, Saul notices that he has brought marijuana. Saul warns that the man arranging Jesse’s relocation will refuse to help if Jesse arrives high and orders him to surrender it.

Jesse refuses, so Saul has Huell secretly remove the bag of marijuana from Jesse’s pocket.

While waiting to be picked up, Jesse reaches for the marijuana and realizes it is missing. He understands that Huell took it without him noticing.

That realization causes Jesse to revisit the disappearance of the ricin cigarette he once carried. Jesse had suspected that Huell lifted the cigarette from him, but Walt manipulated him into believing otherwise.

The missing marijuana confirms that Huell was capable of pickpocketing him undetected. Jesse finally pieces together that Walt arranged the theft of the ricin cigarette and poisoned Brock with lily of the valley as part of his plan to turn Jesse against Gus Fring.

Jesse abandons his planned escape, confronts Saul and heads to Walt’s house with gasoline.

In a series dominated by methamphetamine, a small bag of marijuana ultimately helps expose one of Walter White’s most carefully constructed lies.