Is longbottom leaf in LOTR Weed?

For years, one question has quietly amused The Lord of the Rings audience: are the hobbits of the Shire and Gandalf casually smoking weed? There’s no denying the atmosphere: scenes of pipe-smoking are soaked in tranquillity, Bilbo blows smoke rings on his porch, Merry and Pippin gleefully discover barrels of it in Isengard, and Saruman even accuses Gandalf of being mentally dulled by it.

The theory has taken root online, particularly among fans of the film trilogy, who suspect Tolkien may have snuck something more illicit into his fantasy. But is there any evidence for this? Or is it simply a case of modern readers projecting familiar references onto an older, more innocent habit?

To answer the question properly, we need to dig into the lore, particularly regarding what Tolkien actually wrote. While the visual tone of the films allows room for interpretation, the books are surprisingly specific.

How is Longbottom Leaf used in Lord of the Rings?

Pipe-weed appears often in Tolkien’s work, most notably in the hands (and pipes) of hobbits. The first time we see it used is in The Hobbit, where Bilbo Baggins enjoys a moment of peace and contemplation before Gandalf’s unexpected arrival.

This theme continues throughout The Lord of the Rings. Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin all smoke at various points. When the story turns darker, their love for pipe-weed becomes almost nostalgic—a reminder of the Shire and a world untouched by war and shadow.

Perhaps the most famous moment comes in The Two Towers, when Merry and Pippin, after the Battle of Isengard, stumble across barrels of pipe-weed in the wreckage of Orthanc. Amongst the chaos, they find comfort in this most familiar of Shire exports. It’s a striking image: two hobbits smoking and laughing in the middle of a ruined fortress, defying the grim tone of their surroundings.

But the habit isn’t exclusive to hobbits. Gandalf is rarely seen without his pipe, and even Aragorn is known to indulge on occasion. Pipe-weed has an entire cultural presence in Middle-earth. There are even different varieties: Old Toby, Southern Star, Longbottom Leaf—all grown in the Southfarthing. The best is said to come from the village of Longbottom, where cultivation has been refined over generations.

Tolkien even included a short essay, “Concerning Pipe-weed”, as an appendix to The Return of the King—describing its history in detail. According to the text, pipe-weed was first introduced to the Shire by Tobold Hornblower of Longbottom, sometime around the year 2670 of the Third Age. Its popularity spread quickly, becoming an essential part of hobbit culture.

So, what actually is Longbottom Leaf?

As much as the idea of Middle-earth marijuana has entertained readers, Tolkien was quite clear about the nature of pipe-weed. In The Hobbit, the substance is directly called tobacco. And in The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien refers to it as Nicotiana, the same genus used in the scientific classification of real-world tobacco plants.

This removes most of the ambiguity from the text. While he doesn’t use modern botanical classifications in most other areas of his work (Middle-earth plants tend to have their own invented names), tobacco is the exception. Tolkien wanted his readers to understand this wasn’t a coded reference to anything stronger. It was meant to be familiar and uncontroversial.

It’s worth noting that the act of smoking in Tolkien’s world is never treated as harmful or reckless. It is frequently linked to moments of wisdom, reflection, and companionship. Whether it’s Bilbo enjoying a moment of solitude or Gandalf and Théoden sharing a pipe after battle, the leaf is associated with calm, not chaos.

That said, there is still a certain reverence around it. Longbottom Leaf, in particular, is prized. Saruman’s storerooms in Isengard are curiously well-stocked with it, leading Gandalf to note that Saruman may have developed a personal fondness for the Shire’s produce, perhaps a subtle sign of his underlying envy or a quiet vice amidst his growing darkness.

Is Longbottom Leaf weed in the films?

While Tolkien’s text draws a clear line, Peter Jackson’s film adaptation is more ambiguous. The term “pipe-weed” is never clarified in the films. There are no references to Nicotiana or tobacco. Instead, it is left vague, allowing modern viewers to make their own interpretations.

This ambiguity feels deliberate. Consider the tone of the scenes where pipe-weed is featured: slow, whimsical, and slightly indulgent; characters exhale with exaggerated relief; conversations turn dreamy. And then there’s that telling line in the script: Saruman to Gandalf, in The Fellowship of the Ring, proclaims, “Your love of the halflings’ leaf has clearly slowed your mind.” Delivered with contempt, it sounds like a criticism of someone who’s had a few too many hits.

Add to that the way Merry and Pippin behave after raiding Isengard. They’re relaxed, slightly giddy, eating, smoking, and laughing without restraint. While not overtly “high”, their mood is definitely altered. These moments open the door to interpretation, particularly for a modern audience more familiar with cannabis culture than with early 20th-century English pipe-smoking.

Jackson and his screenwriters likely understood that ambiguity would amuse fans. By avoiding any specific reference to tobacco, they allowed viewers to read into the scene what they liked without ever making a claim one way or the other.

Did Tolkien use cannabis?

There is no evidence to suggest that J.R.R. Tolkien used cannabis, or even experimented with it. His lifestyle, as reflected in his letters and biographies, suggests a fondness for simple pleasures: tea, beer, walking, and his pipe. He was a pipe smoker for most of his life, and his enjoyment of tobacco was well-documented.

More importantly, Tolkien held a deep respect for tradition and order. He based the Shire heavily on his experiences of rural England before the First World War, a place of small comforts, village routines, and mild habits. The hobbits’ love of pipe-weed is a reflection of that world. It is a symbol of quiet dignity—not rebellion.

While modern readers might associate pipe-smoking with stronger substances, Tolkien’s use of it was entirely grounded in the social norms of his own era. There’s no indication that he intended pipe-weed to be anything other than what he said it was: tobacco.

Longbottom Leaf in LOTR: we wish it were weed!

It may not be cannabis, but Longbottom Leaf still holds a special place in the hearts of fans. Whether you see it as a metaphor for peace, nostalgia, or just a quirky Shire habit, it captures something central to Tolkien’s world: the idea that even in times of war and darkness, small comforts matter.

In the books, there’s no question—it’s tobacco. But in the films, a subtle change in tone leaves the door ajar. The scenes exude charm, and the ambiguity is almost certainly part of the fun. If viewers want to imagine Gandalf indulging in something stronger, the films don’t exactly stop them. So, while it’s not technically weed, the question itself has become part of fan culture. And perhaps that’s fitting, as Middle-earth is vast, layered, and rich with detail.

Max Sargent

Max has been writing for over a decade, and has come into cannabis and psychedelic journalism in the last few years. Writing for companies such as Zamnesia, Royal Queen Seeds, Cannaconnection, Gorilla Seeds, MushMagic and more, he has experience in a broad spectrum of the industry.

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