Marijuana is the most controversial drug of the 20th Century. Smoked by generations to little discernible ill effect, it continues to be reviled by many governments on Earth. In this Genie Award-winning documentary veteran Canadian director Ron Mann and narrator Woody Harrelson mix humour and historical footage together to recount how the United States has demonized a relatively harmless drug.
Editing
Jarring cuts between Reefer Madness hysteria and calm medical testimony.
Writing
Harrelson's dry narration turns bureaucratic evil into dark comedy.
Production
Incredible archival finds — Nixon tapes, Hearst smear campaigns, the works.
Director
Ron Mann
Woody Harrelson
Narrator (voice)
Tommy Chong
Self (archive footage)
Cheech Marin
Self (archive footage)
John Lennon
Self (archive footage)
Ronald Reagan
Self (archive footage)
Jimmy Carter
Self (archive footage)
Richard Nixon
Self (archive footage)
Gerald Ford
Self (archive footage)
Cab Calloway
Self (archive footage)
Bill Clinton
Self (archive footage)
George H. W. Bush
Self (archive footage)
Nancy Reagan
Self (archive footage)
Chevy Chase
Self (archive footage)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Ron Mann financed this by selling his comic book collection — fitting for a film about underground culture.
The 'Reefer Madness' footage was so campily bad that it became ironic entertainment for stonics in the 1970s, completely backfiring on prohibitionists.
CA
US
