Grass

Theatrical Release Date: 2000 05 31 (USA - Limited)

UPC: 037429167625

Studio: Homevision

Summary: Woody Harrelson narrates this documentary about the history of marijuana in 20th century America. Beginning with clips from educational films and exploitation pictures that show how marijuana can lead to crime, insanity, and harder drugs, Grass also documents the exploits of Harry Anslinger, who became America's first drug czar and waged a lifelong war against marijuana use in the United States. As the repressive environment of the 1930s and 1940s gave way to the beat era of the 1950s and the hippie uprisings of the 1960s, attitudes towards marijuana became more lenient, and several states relaxed their laws regarding the drug; but the election of Ronald Reagan, and his wife Nancy's famous "Just Say No" campaign, put many pro-pot activists back in the starting blocks. Director Ron Mann takes a decidedly pro-marijuana position in this film, though he does so with more humor than militance (the end credits note "No hippies were harmed in the making of this film"). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Category: Culture & Society

Awards: Best Documentary – Genie Awards

Features: New high-definition transfer enhanced for 16x9 televisions
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
"Ron Mann on Grass"
Deleted scene
High Times Magazine Gallery
Theatrical trailer
Quick reference guide to state-by-state marijuana laws in the U.S.

Grass

Format: DVD

Release Date: 04/23/2002

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Runtime: 80 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Chapters: Side #1 --
1. Opening Credits & Title Sequence [:06]
2. Kill People [7:19]
3. Go Insane [5:05]
4. A Law Which Cannot Be Enforced [5:18]
5. Become a Heroin Addict [6:29]
6. Tougher Laws [3:11]
7. Unmotivated, Dysfunctional Loser [7:01]
8. Anytime At All [7:25]
9. White, Middle Class American Kids [5:55]
10. Find the Danger [7:44]
11. Ten for Two [6:06]
12. Hollyweed [8:17]
13. The Orderly Thing to Do [6:02]

Derek Armstrong

While it's not anybody's idea of a balanced piece, Grass does constitute a fascinating barometer of the social climates in the United States during the last century, filtered through the hot-button issue of marijuana use. Director Ron Mann's agenda is clearly to say, "Look how silly we once were," and it's sometimes hard to argue with his logic. With clips of such propaganda films as 1938's ridiculous Reefer Madness (Tell Your Children), it's easy to see how alarmism got the better of conservative America, particularly during the early stages of awareness of the drug. As a result, those who sought to legalize marijuana end up getting lionized in the film, and those who were opposed, vilified. It doesn't help Mann's minimal push for impartiality that he has Woody Harrelson, a prominent pot supporter, doing the narration, although Harrelson's readings are crisp and sober, giving the piece a solid spine. The footage is basically just a clip job, with no new interviews, but it makes for an effective and thorough compilation. For a piece whose primary goal is to preach to the converted, Mann hits a home run. He also adds a dose of humor for those who may have lit up before entering the theater; as the film proceeds chronologically, each era is introduced by funky graphics that summarize the establishment's current fear campaign ("Marijuana will make you...insane!"), which are quite funny. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Ron Mann  Director 
Ron Mann  Producer 
Guido Luciani  Composer (Music Score) 
Soloman Vesta  Screenwriter 
Woody Harrelson  Actor 

Country: Canada