Ever since the infamous and now beloved Cheech and Chong series debuted in the 1970s, drug-heavy subject matter has carved a prominent role in American comedies. Seeking to revitalize that concept for a new generation is Seth Rogen, who stars in Apatow Productions’ new movie Pineapple Express.

Rogen stars as Dale Denton, a lazy process server who doesn’t like his job or his life. His only solace and peace comes through the hazy relaxation offered by smoking pot. His dealer, Saul Silver (James Franco), quickly offers him a new strain of the substance, dubbed “The Pineapple Express.”

While a drug dealer is not the most likely form of movie hero, Silver only deals drugs to pay for his grandparent’s nursing home and plans to one day become a civil engineer who builds toilets for public parks. In the meantime, however, he smokes and deals out of his apartment every day.

Upon trying out the Pineapple Express, Denton becomes a fan of the stuff, and he and Silver become fast friends. But when Denton accidentally witnesses a corrupt cop (Rosie Perez) and the city’s most dangerous drug lord (Gary Cole) commit a murder, he and Silver go on the run from the police as the cops, and other forces, try to apprehend them.

As the two seek shelter and hide from their new enemies, they begin to uncover more of the conspiracy, and eventually decide to fight back. Silver reluctantly tags along with Denton on his quest to remove himself from harm’s way, smoking and selling through the course of their adventure.

Featuring numerous actors and cameos from Judd Apatow’s cast of regulars, Pineapple Express is sure to please fans of his recent work (Superbad, Knocked Up) as well as fans of the Cheech and Chong-style genre.

And though the subject of drugs may rub many people the wrong way, the driving forces behind the comedy are the jokes, one-liners and the evolving relationship between Denton and Silver as they solve the mystery and evade the villains.

The film is rated R for pervasive language, drug use, sexual references and violence. Apatow and Rogen hope Pineapple Express smokes all of the other stoner films that have tried to redefine the genre. It’s in theaters now, dude.