This film explores the history of the American government’s official policy on marijuana in the 20th century. Rising with nativist xenophobia with Mexican immigration and their taste for smoking marijuana, we see the establishment of a wrong headed federal drug policy as a crime issue as opposed to a public health approach. Fueled by prejudice, hysterical propaganda and political opportunism undeterred by voices of reason on the subject, we follow the story of a costly and futile crusade against a substance with questionable ill effects that has damaged basic civil liberties.

Grass (1999)
  • Rating: (2,239 votes)
  • Runtime:80 minutes
  • Director: Ron Mann
  • Country:Canada
  • Actors:
    Narrator (voice)
    Woody Harrelson
    Himself (archive footage)
    Harry J. Anslinger
    Himself (archive footage)
    George Bush
    Himself (archive footage)
    Cab Calloway
    Himself (archive footage)
    Jimmy Carter
    Himself (archive footage)
    Chevy Chase
    Anthony 'Man' Stoner (archive footage)
    Tommy Chong
    Herself (archive footage)
    Nancy Davis
    Himself (archive footage)
    Dwight D. Eisenhower
    Himself (archive footage)
    Gerald Ford
  • Genres:Documentary, History
  • Producers:
    Keith Clarkson
    executive producer  
    Marc Glassman
    associate producer  
    Sue Len Quon
    co-producer  
    Ron Mann
    producer  
  • Plots: This film explores the history of the American government's official policy on marijuana in the 20th century. Rising with nativist xenophobia with Mexican immigration and their taste for smoking marijuana, we see the establishment of a wrong headed federal drug policy as a crime issue as oppposed to a public health approach. Fuelled by prejudice, hysterical propaganda and political opportunism undeterred by voices of reason on the subject, we follow the story of a costly and futile crusade against a substance with questionable ill effects that has damaged basic civil liberites. Written by Kenneth Chisholm <kchishol@home.com>
  • User's comment: by Mika Pykäläaho (bygis80@hotmail.com)

    I'm pretty damn sure this has to be one of the most well made, enjoyable and successful documentaries I've ever seen in my life. If you get a chance to watch "Grass" don't make the mistake of missing it. You will naturally love it if you're a sworn pothead but I think people who are strongly against cannabis should be the first ones to check this one out. "Grass" may not change your opinions about the stuff but it will probably give you some new views to look at it. Best of all, incredibly interesting archive material makes "Grass" funny, fascinating and entertaining experience for everyone. Those final words (after end credits) are just terrific! Basically "Grass" tells how much money war against marijuana has cost and raises the big question: was it really all worth it? I think not. Watch "Grass" yourself and make up your own mind.


  • Also known as: Erva (Brazil), Füves cigi (Hungary - imdb display title), Grass (Greece - TV title), Maconha (Brazil - cable TV title), Marihuana (Spain), Ruoho (Finland),

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