Grass – The History of Cannabis – A Film by Ron Mann
This video, directed by Ron Man and narrated by Woody Harrelson, is one of the best documentaries on the US government´s systematic seven-decade campaign to demonize Cannabis. As told here, it all started with a man named Harry Anslinger, head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics from 1930-1962 and an enthusiastic Prohibitionist. Anslinger created public hysteria over marijuana by blaming it for widespread murder and insanity. The feds and the states then banned marijuana without debate or scientific investigation. After an embarrassing study disproved Anslinger’s preposterous allegations with regard to pot, Anslinger effectively stopped all research on it by cutting off the supply to researchers. Later, he encouraged the idea that marijuana was a commie plot, and then finally topped off his career by getting the UN to ban marijuana around the world. In short, with regard to pot, Anslinger was the metaphorical Hitler of the War on Drugs. Although this film is serious in its implications, the telling is light, even comic at times, as the main focus is on mocking U.S government marijuana policy and those who would defend it. In this regard, good use is made of early (now laughable) propaganda films on pot, like “High on the Range” and “Reefer Madness” as well as videotaped speeches and interviews by drug warriors.
Video, drugs, featured, philosophy 
