The film, like any Cheech & Chong movie, is loosely scripted and tightly storyboarded, with the physical characteristics of each sequence carefully pre-planned, a technique which evolved from their origins in improvisational theatre. Tommy Chong says: "We rely on the storyboards to keep the plot flowing." Whilst Cheech Marin said: "And to tell the cast and crew where to report in the morning." Chong points out: "Improv has its own disciplines. When it works, it's as if you had tapped in to some crazy force. There's a spontaneity that's funnier than anything an all-night story conference could produce." And when it doesn't work? Chong says: "You look at the rushes, say -------------, we blew that one, and reshoot. We probably use . . . and waste . . . more raw film than anyone in the business. But on the basis that comedy is the art of the unexpected, it's worth it."
Shelby Chong, who played a body builder, is the spouse of Tommy Chong and has appeared in most of the Cheech & Chong movies.
The California Highway Patrol officers driving the patrol car were dressed as motorcycle officers. The only time CHP motorcycle officers use cars is during rainy weather, and the only time two officers drive together is on the graveyard shift.
Cheech Marin said of this movie: "The answer is that these guys . . . these characters we play . . . are like monks. Or samurai. They shouldn't have material possessions because that only screws up their karma or gets them ripped off". Out of that premise came a 3½ page script. Why 3½ pages? "Because it was double-spaced" answered Marin. Tommy Chong replied: "He's putting you on. The reason for 3½ pages is so that we can budget the picture. It's a million dollars for each page and half a million for the cover." Marin cut in and replied: "I'll tell the real reason. It's because of the expressions on people's faces. When we turn in a 3½ page screenplay. They blanch. Which is a pretty color you don't see a lot of lately."
Cheech Marin said of his romantic scenes in this film: "I do some very steamy love scenes in this picture. I mean, it's like the postman rings four or five times, and I expect to be recognized as the new Ramon Novarro. Or [Rudolph] Valentino. Or Chevy Chase. It's time for another hot-blooded Latin lover and nobody has more hot Latin blood than I do. Okay, Mexican. It's almost the same thing".
Carl Weathers: Uncredited, as a man at the gym wearing a yellow tank top. He appears during the gym scene standing directly behind Cheech who is struggling on the bench press.