Sarah Silverman shows off pot on red carpet

US comic star Sarah Silverman has shocked audiences on the Emmys red carpet after showing off a vaporiser pen which she claimed contained liquid marijuana.

The actress/stand-up comedian was emptying the contents of her clutch for E! host Giuliana Rancic when she pulled out the vape pen.

"This is my pot," Silverman said, holding the item similar to an e-cigarette.

"It's liquid pot."

Rancic quickly changed the subject and Silverman began sorting through the other items in her clutch, including her cash and driver's licence.

Silverman has spoken about her love of marijuana in the past and appeared to be a little hazy.

She had earlier said her dress had been designed by a fictional character from the show Girls, and attributed a joke about her breasts to the recently-deceased poet Maya Angelou.

During the awards ceremony, the former star of the Sarah Silverman Program won an award for her variety show.

After being announced the winner, Silverman kicked off her shoes and ran to the stage barefoot.

"We're all just made of molecules, and we're hurling through space right now," she said at the conclusion of her acceptance speech.