"This is why I look so good, after 41 years in the game..."
Snoop Dogg
Tonight’s documentary THE CULTURE HIGH is bought to you from the makers of the critically acclaimed 'The Union: The Business Behind Getting High', who clearly have found a subject they know well and decided to run with it for a second time. This time they bring you the profound exploration of one of the most prolific wars of our time, tearing into the very fibre of modern day marijuana prohibition to reveal the truth behind the arguments and motives governing both those who support and oppose the existing marijuana laws in the US in particular.
The debate over the legalization of marijuana rages all over the world, but there is no disputing the fact that billions of dollars are spent on our so-called "drug wars" and that arrests for mere possession of the drug number almost a million annually in the US alone.
Using hard facts, documentary footage and interviews, director Brett Harvey gives voice to both sides on this issue, and includes such vital concerns as the power of media to devastatingly shape the war on drugs and the unending greed of pharmaceutical companies who push far more dangerous prescription drugs at the public every day. It comes as no surprise that presidents dating back to Nixon and Reagan and both Bushes have demonised the use of pot, but Barack Obama - under whose administration drug-war expenditures and medical-marijuana raids have exceeded those of any other president, surprisingly – comes under heavy fire for his indecision and contrary attitudes when it comes to a drug that could in medical terms alone, offer very real comfort for millions.
Those who appear on camera include Sir Richard Branson, rapper Wiz Khalifa, Al Jazeera's Cara Santa Maria, and comedian Joe Rogan, who broke my heart when talking about the special needs of his challenged little boy.
So in celebration of sativa, I’ve decided to rank my top stoner flicks, in no particular order…
"This is why I look so good, after 41 years in the game..."
Snoop Dogg
Tonight’s documentary THE CULTURE HIGH is bought to you from the makers of the critically acclaimed 'The Union: The Business Behind Getting High', who clearly have found a subject they know well and decided to run with it for a second time. This time they bring you the profound exploration of one of the most prolific wars of our time, tearing into the very fibre of modern day marijuana prohibition to reveal the truth behind the arguments and motives governing both those who support and oppose the existing marijuana laws in the US in particular.
The debate over the legalization of marijuana rages all over the world, but there is no disputing the fact that billions of dollars are spent on our so-called "drug wars" and that arrests for mere possession of the drug number almost a million annually in the US alone.
Using hard facts, documentary footage and interviews, director Brett Harvey gives voice to both sides on this issue, and includes such vital concerns as the power of media to devastatingly shape the war on drugs and the unending greed of pharmaceutical companies who push far more dangerous prescription drugs at the public every day. It comes as no surprise that presidents dating back to Nixon and Reagan and both Bushes have demonised the use of pot, but Barack Obama - under whose administration drug-war expenditures and medical-marijuana raids have exceeded those of any other president, surprisingly – comes under heavy fire for his indecision and contrary attitudes when it comes to a drug that could in medical terms alone, offer very real comfort for millions.
Those who appear on camera include Sir Richard Branson, rapper Wiz Khalifa, Al Jazeera's Cara Santa Maria, and comedian Joe Rogan, who broke my heart when talking about the special needs of his challenged little boy.
So in celebration of sativa, I’ve decided to rank my top stoner flicks, in no particular order…
Dazed and Confused
For my generation, it doesn’t get much better than this. The much celebrated Dazed and Confused is about more than just getting wasted on the last day of school – there’s a lot of coming of age and social comment in there too to round it out to a great little movie. Also notable is the pre-all-star cast here, including Ben Affleck, Adam Goldberg, Matthew Mcconaughey, Milla Jovovich, Joey Lauren Adams, and Parker Posey.
Saving Grace
Starring the amazing Brenda Blethyn, Saving Grace is an intelligent film about weed, and watching refined British ladies getting stoned during a tea party is reason enough to watch and learn. Recent widow Grace (Blethyn) has to raise money to pay the huge debt left by her dead husband and save her home. Aided by her Scottish gardener (Craig Ferguson), she turns his small marijuana crop into booming business.
Super High Me
At times ridiculous but also fascinating, Super High Me takes Morgan Spurlock’s concept of eating McDonald’s for 30 days straight and replaces burgers with pot. Comedian Doug Benson first avoids pot for 30 days before taking on the challenge of smoking it for 30 days straight (pun intended). What does he discover in the process? He continues to work his often challenging stand up gigs and goes through a battery of tests to see how getting stoned daily impacts his life – he experiences weight gain and decreased lung capacity, but his intelligence scores and sperm count go up!
Reefer Madness
An absolutely hilarious watch, this 1935 propaganda flick was supposed to scare the kids off even contemplating a toke but instead became a cult classic. Watch what happens when you smoke marijuana – the horror! The illicit behavior! The wanton morals! How many people did Reefer Madness deter from partaking in pot? I am thinking not many.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Another pre-star cast like no other, with Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold and Phoebe Cates playing alongside Sean Penn as stoner Jeff Spicoli, to hilarious effect. From the first moment we spy the pothead surfer, to his well-known movie quote: “All I need is some tasty waves, a cool buzz and I’m fine”. Fast Times gave many a youth at the time a taste of how much fun being a stoner could be.
Pineapple Express
A modern legend starring Seth Rogen, James Franco, Gary Cole, Rosie Perez and the awesome Danny McBride, Judd Apatow’s Pineapple Express is part stoner buddy comedy, part action flick. Rogan naturally draws on his stoner experience and James Franco gives us his all in a role that first revealed his exceptionally charming funny side. FYI: Pineapple Express is a new rare strain of weed that Saul explains is so special, “it’s almost a shame to smoke it…it’s like killing a unicorn.”
Anything involving Cheech & Chong – goes with saying!
Cheech and Chong proved they were the godfathers of weed by taking their comedy routine to the big screen in one full-length movie after another. With so many Cheech and Chong stoner flicks to choose from, I’d say start with Up in Smoke, if only for the prestigious honour of having the biggest joint in film history.