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Grass

Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

Years in the making, Ron Mann's much anticipated documentary presents a humorous and surprisingly balanced history of recreational marijuana use in the late 20th century. Those who remain pure will see the degradation you've been missing. Those who have succumbed to temptation will learn how a nice person like yourself became a dangerous criminal.

Narrated by Woody Harrison, this is an exceptionally entertaining film that brings together rare archival footage, the psychedelic comic strips of underground cartoonist Paul Mavrides (Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers) and a great soundtrack, with new songs from ex-Devo member Mark Mothersbaugh as well as some great classics.

Cinematic intelligence sources

Grass official movie site
Awards and film festivals:

Brisbane International Film Festival: Official selection
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival: Official selection
Melbourne International Film Festival: Official selection
Sydney Film Festival: top 10 audience favourite

See also Saving Grace, Homegrown
Studios and distributors:

Niche

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

Party time.

Not that I am advocating the use of an illicit substance for recreational mind altering experiences, but the concept is one that I can understand by utilising my great and vast sense of empathy.

Woody has long been an advocate for the decriminalisation of marijuana - and has been known to mull up on occasion - so he's the perfect narrator for a documentary that shows just how artificial the prohibition against its use is. There are plenty of other drugs which are readily available for public use and it's hypocritical to separate pot from any of them. Alcohol and tobacco (the biggest acceptable baddies) cause far more medical, personal and societal problems every day than Mary Jane has in its entire existence.

The funniest part of Grass is the great, big USA talent for stupidity. Pot smoking causes men to grow breasts? That's almost as good as Duck And Cover. But seriously, folks, the war against (non-taxable) drugs is as ridiculous as the battle against the immorality of gay men, lesbians, transgendered persons, sex workers, gypsies and any other minority you feel like battling against. Grass brings that stance into the light where even the simplest simpleton of Simple Island can see it for what it is.

Which is not to say that smoking the leaf is as good for you as the air you breathe or the water you drink - h minutes, perhaps not the best of examples - but that choosing one's drug of choice should be a personal matter not a governmental one. This documentary presents more than enough information for any right-minded person to make up their mind on the decriminalisation issue; the question is: would you like Little Johnny Howard to set the moral and legal stance for the rest of your life?