cannabisnews.com: Grass: Ron Mann Chronicles Pot Prohibition Grass: Ron Mann Chronicles Pot Prohibition Posted by CN Staff on November 20, 2002 at 21:19:40 PT By Joe Bonni Source: Boston Weekly Dig Ron Mann’s Grass is the definitive film on the history of marijuana prohibition in the US. Grass shows how in less than 100 years, marijuana has gone from a weed smoked primarily by Mexican immigrants in the south at the turn of the 20th century, to the only plant with a UN resolution calling for its worldwide prohibition – a resolution spearheaded by the first US drug czar Harry J. Anslinger. Grass is an impressive film for many reasons. Its compilation of data showing the exponential US budgetary increases allotted to fight the war on weed, from the ‘20s to the present (illustrated throughout the film in amusing animations), is chilling. Without any proselytizing, these numbers alone speak volumes about the problems inherent with prohibition. The historical research Mann did also shows. He watched over 400 hours of weed-related film. “Mostly anti-marijuana movies, that, by the way, make you want to smoke pot," Mann pointed out in an interview with the Dig. This extensive research and the outstanding archival footage used in Grass (from a ‘20s-era Cab Calloway performance of “The Reefer Man" to outtakes of President Nixon, who started the modern war on drugs) provide glimpses of near-forgotten parts of our country’s history when drug war hysteria was still in its infancy or even non-existent. Viewers are reminded that as far back as 1944, New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia called for the end of marijuana prohibition, and his administration provided the first report that dismissed many of the myths surrounding marijuana use that persist to this day. Footage of Jimmy Carter calling for decriminalization – as President of the United States – seems like a clip of a leader from another country, particularly given the current political climate. And while Mann’s Grass is an excellent chronology of prohibition law, (from the first marijuana control act passed in El Paso, Texas in 1914, to current problems with federal mandatory minimum sentences), the coup-de-grace of the film may be that it is narrated in a pleasant, laid back and knowing manner by none other than Woody Harrelson. Harrelson’s known sympathy for the topic adds yet another layer of passion to a film that is educational and inspirational. “Film is motivated by emotions," Mann tells me. And with a topic like pot prohibition. "You either love something like this so much that you want to spend four years of your life on it, or your subject angers you to protest." Grass is both love and protest to Mann.Systematically showing (and dismissing) the government’s various scare tactics used to criminalize marijuana over the last century (“It will kill you!" “It will make you go mad!" etc.), Grass is a perfect combination of political documentary and protest film, balancing meticulous research with new perspectives, solid conclusions, and fine, entertaining and engaging film-making. Originally released in 1999 (“In 20 years, when marijuana is legal in the US, we'll have a real ending," Mann jokes when asked if he plans on updating the film any time soon), Ron will be in Boston for a special midnight screening of Grass this weekend, and will be answering questions and speaking with the audience after the film. In case you were wondering, yes, Mann inhales. “If someone hands me a joint," he told me while talking about his upcoming appearance, “I'll keep talking." Ron Mann will be speaking at a screening of Grass this Friday, November 22 at midnight at the Coolidge corner Theater. Check out: http://www.coolidge.org -- for more info. Source: Boston Weekly Dig (MA)Author: Joe BonniPublished: November 20 - 27, 2002Copyright: 2002 Boston Weekly DigContact: letters weeklydig.comWebsite: http://www.weeklydig.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Grass The Movie http://www.grassthemovie.com/Grass - Salon Magazinehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread6065.shtmlDan Mindus On Grass - National Reviewhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread6005.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #12 posted by FoM on November 23, 2002 at 18:41:23 PT John Tyler I just saw your comment or I would have responded before now. I've always loved that Scripture too. He's at peace now. No more pain. That is the hardest part is watching those you love suffer. Now the loss is ours and we grieve that we won't ever see him again but he is free and missing him seems so minor compared to freedom from pain. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by John Tyler on November 21, 2002 at 21:18:03 PT FoM So sorry to hear about the illness of your father-in-law. We have all been there, or we will all be there one day. All we can do is offer support through our thoughts and prayers, and hope that someday peace and understanding will come to us. Interesting that you should type,"the peace that passeth all understanding" I have not seen that in a long time. I have always liked the sound of it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on November 21, 2002 at 16:11:36 PT afterburner Thank you. It is hard but the peace that passeth all understanding is strong in our hearts. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by afterburner on November 21, 2002 at 15:31:36 PT: FoM, Sorry to Hear your Father-in-law's Suffering. When my grandfather died of cancer at a young age, it shocked the family and led me to a lifetime interest in health. When my dad died decades older, it still shocked the family. I know from the experiences that nothing eases the pain of seeing a loved one suffer. Maybe the sick and/or dying cannot fight for themselves, but we, the loving relatives, can keep pushing on their behalf for sensible drug reform and acknowledgement of medical uses, if not for them, at least for future relatives. My prayers are with your family: may the Holy Spirit comfort you as you go through these trying times. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on November 21, 2002 at 14:26:45 PT DdC There won't be a nursing home. So much has changed since this morning. He is hemorraging and the hospice nurse said it is only a matter of a day or two. Stick is with him and I am ready to go. I appreciate you and all the good people who are making this a little easier for us to handle. I'll keep looking for news because it keeps me busy. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by DdC on November 21, 2002 at 14:20:39 PT I know you and Stick have done your best... And the prayers are heading your way... Dementia can be scarey to the patient and family. Marinol is an alternative. But even the morphine is probably better than the violence and fear. Rest or Care Homes are a necessity of life and I know you did more than most would or could do. My rants are for the general public not aware the condition even exists. Not for caring people under bad circumstances. Your father and law knows it too even if he can't articulate it at this time. He was always in good hands with you and Stick. cya DdC [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on November 21, 2002 at 11:07:46 PT Dr. Russo Thank you. The hospice nurse has been called out and we'll see what she says. She is a nice lady. I'll keep Marinol in mind. He will need to be sedated if he doesn't go to a nursing home. It's very sad to watch a vibrant person wither away and linger in pain like he has for so long. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Ethan Russo MD on November 21, 2002 at 11:00:01 PT: Sorry, FoM This kind of problem is all too frequent in our aging population, and organized medicine has too few of the answers.Sometimes Ginkgo biloba helps. There is even a report of Marinol decreasing agitation, which points to a place for cannabis:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9309469&dopt=AbstractThis is one of those things that needs to be studied.Best of luck. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on November 21, 2002 at 10:54:53 PT DdC I just wanted to tell you that things at home are getting out of control and we might need to put Stick's dad in a nursing home. He is getting violent and doesn't seem to know what is going on anymore. I just wanted you to know we gave it our best shot. Say a little prayer for us. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by goneposthole on November 21, 2002 at 07:10:29 PT John Prine Prophetic words in the lyrics of a song by John Prine:"... One of these daysOne of these nightsYou'll take off your hat They'll read you your rightsYou'll wanna get higheverytime you feel lowHey, don't give me no troubleOr, I'll call up my doubleWe'll play piggy in the middle with youYou'll get mesmerized by alibisAnd limbo dance in pairsPlease lock that doorIt don't make much sense that common senseDon't make no sense no more."- Common Sense by John PrineCommon sense tells even the most lame-brained of us all, i.e. politicians, that it makes no sense that cannabis is illegal.Legalize cannabis and life will finally make sense, again. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on November 20, 2002 at 22:03:00 PT To See Grass The Movie Hi Everyone, I didn't check the link I put in the article until after I posted it. It isn't the movie so I went and found the movie to view on Pot-TV. I wish my real video player would have kept working. Oh well it worked for a little while. Enjoy!http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1110.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by DdC on November 20, 2002 at 21:31:51 PT I have this in my collection...Enjoyable The soundtrack http://www.grasssoundtrack.comreefermadness minies http://www.cannabinoid.com/wwwboard/politics/binaries/27/27667.gifWhy do YOU think they call it dope?. http://www.cannabinoid.com/wwwboard/politics/binaries/29/29540.gifThe Assassins of Youth! http://www.cannabinoid.com/boards/politics/media/36/36796.gif [ Post Comment ] Post Comment