The "Legalization of Marijuana" (Episode: "Weekend at Burnsie's", 2005)

The Simpsons has earned quite the reputation for seemingly predicting the future. It’s actually a bit of a meme at this point, with fans pointing out how many things in the real world appear to have been "predicted" by the show, sometimes years in advance. While some of these predictions are purely coincidental or the result of broad satire, others do seem oddly prescient.

The "Legalization of Marijuana" (Episode: "Weekend at Burnsie's", 2005)

• What happened: Homer smokes marijuana legally in a state where it's permitted, highlighting the growing acceptance of cannabis use.
• Reality: In the years following the episode, the movement for the legalization of marijuana gained momentum in the U.S. and around the world. By the 2010s, states like Colorado, California, and Canada had legalized recreational marijuana use, and the cannabis industry grew exponentially.