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"The
'Grass' is Always Greener"
by Scott Mantz
"Grass"
Narrated by Woody Harrelson
Directed by Ron Mann
There's no doubt
about it. The war on drugs is a costly venture, and it's one that
we appear to be losing. Maybe the time has come to legalize some
of them--specifically marijuana. It shares many of the same attributes
as alcohol, and that's been legal since the end of the prohibition
era. This issue, and many others, are raised in "Grass," in an impressive,
fascinating, and witty documentary about the history of the most
misunderstood drug of the 20th century.
"Grass" could
almost be subtitled "The History of Marijuana" or "Everything You
Always Wanted to Know About Dope (but Were Afraid to Ask)". It traces
it's roots (no pun intended) back to the early 20th century, when
Mexican immigrants used the drug to help them get through hard labor.
Over the next few decades, it found its way into the entertainment
industry, where it helped many New Orleans jazz musicians ease into
their music. Obviously the biggest exposure marijuana ever got was
during the countercultural revolution of the 1960's, with soldiers
in Vietnam and their counterparts back home using it as a way to
turn their back on the establishment. These days, it can be found
in middle class suburbia, with some families embracing it the same
way that British families embrace tea time.
Nobody deserves
more credit for trying to combat marijuana than Harry J. Anslinger,
Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. For decades, he
remained an outspoken crusader for its elimination, an effort that
was even awarded by President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Despite his
best efforts, marijuana continued to gain support by the pubic,
as well as some notable politicians. During his bid for the US Presidency,
Jimmy Carter appeared to be soft on drugs, although he hardened
up once his candidacy was threatened.
Marijuana's
effect on Hollywood goes back to the 1920's, with its appearance
in the 1929 film "Life on the Range." The hysteria reached a fever
pitch with the 1936 film "Reefer Madness," which was so outrageous
in its depiction of the effects of marijuana that it remains a favorite
on college campuses and late night movies. In modern times, Cheech
and Chong have become synonymous with not only spoofing the effects
of the drug, but also glorifying it as well.
Judging by the
tone of the documentary, writer/director Ron Mann clearly supports
the legalization of marijuana. Throughout the course of the film,
he points out the immense cost to fight the war on dope, which has
escalated to over $200 billion. He also points out the "official
truths" about marijuana, which have ranged from the absurd "if you
smoke it, you will kill people" to the downright ridiculous "if
you smoke it, you will be in the grip of Satan and the Godless Sodomites
that run Hollywood." It almost seemed like the people who spoke
out against it were more paranoid than the people who actually used
it.
It makes perfect
sense that Woody Harrelson was chosen to narrate the film. A long-time
supporter of the drug's legalization, Harrelson moves the film along
with a matter-of-fact tone that perfectly underscores the absurdity
of some of the actions taken over the years to abolish it. Also,
director Mann gets (ahem!) high points for keeping the documentary
so engaging. He mixes witty and hip animation with vintage news
footage, packaging it all together with the type of retro feel that
will definitely appeal to anyone with even a passing interest in
US history and popular culture.
As for whether
or not the legalization of hemp will ever see the light of day,
that remains to be seen (but I doubt it). Marijuana may not be just
for psychedelic kids anymore, but the laws have gotten tougher,
and the cost to fight it continues to escalate. Who knows. By contemplating
all the issues this documentary raises by trying to fight such a
relatively tame drug, it would appear that the grass is greener
on the other side.
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