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How Weed Went Hollywood
Dec
Let’s be real – cannabis in movies has come a long way since those black-and-white propaganda films that had people jumping out of windows after one puff. Today, you’re more likely to see Seth Rogen passing a joint in a comedy than someone losing their mind from toking on a joint. But how did we get here? Let’s roll through the history of how weed made its way from villain to supporting actor in Hollywood’s ever-changing story.
The 1930s: When Weed Was the Big Bad Wolf
Picture this: It’s the 1930s, and “Reefer Madness” hits theaters like a ton of bricks. This wasn’t your typical movie night entertainment – it was straight-up propaganda that would make modern PR folks cringe. The black-and-white piece is actually hilarious now and I’m sure many have watched it while under the influence of its topic matter. The film portrayed cannabis users as murderous, sex-crazed lunatics who’d lose their minds after one toke. Talk about dramatic! These exploitation films were about as subtle as a fog horn, pushing an agenda that would influence drug policy for decades to come. Dive into today’s “hip” world of 2024 and there’s still plenty of paranoia, a severe lack of education and unfortunate cases of sanctioned, prudish opposition to many of its beneficial uses. But in film, cannabis has leapfrogged to an accepted status.
The 1960s-70s: Counterculture Lights Up the Screen
Fast forward to the era of peace signs and protest songs. Movies started getting real about weed – or at least more real than the hysteria of previous decades. “Easy Rider” (1969) blazed onto screens, showing cannabis use as part of the counterculture lifestyle rather than a gateway to insanity. This wasn’t exactly positive representation, but at least Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper weren’t shown jumping out of windows after sharing a joint.
The 1970s-80s: Cheech & Chong and Fast Times Change the Game and Perception
Then came the dynamic duo that would change cannabis cinema forever: Cheech & Chong. “Up in Smoke” (1978) didn’t just feature cannabis – it celebrated it. These weren’t propaganda pieces or serious dramas; they were straight-up comedies that treated weed as… well, just weed. No murder sprees, no moral panic – just two guys, some joints, and a lot of laughs. And Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a classic for so many reasons, but from a stoner perspective, it poked fun at the ridiculous concept still held by parents of the time. Hats off to Cameron Crowe!
The 1990s: Getting Higher and Higher
The 90s brought us what I like to call the “stoner comedy renaissance.” Films like “Friday” (1995) and “Half Baked” (1998) didn’t just show cannabis use – they made it the star of the show. These movies tackled everything from workplace drug testing (sound familiar?) to the social dynamics of sharing your stash. They weren’t trying to scare anyone straight; they were just telling stories about regular people who happened to smoke weed.
The 2000s: Going Mainstream
Here’s where things get interesting. The 2000s saw cannabis movies grow up a bit. “Pineapple Express” (2008) wasn’t just a stoner comedy – it was a legitimate action-comedy that happened to feature weed. Shows like “Weeds” brought cannabis into prime time, treating the subject with nuance and complexity rather than just going for cheap laughs or scare tactics.
Today’s Scene: Keeping It Real
Now? Cannabis in cinema is about as controversial as showing someone having a beer. Films like “This Is the End” (2013) and “The Beach Bum” (2019) feature cannabis use casually, without making it the whole point of the story. TV shows tackle everything from medical marijuana to legalization politics. We’ve gone from “Reefer Madness” to “reality,” and honestly? It’s about time. It’s fascinating to wonder why, in only a handful of decades, weed went hollywood so quickly. Wouldn’t it be funny to see if they remake As Good as It Gets and update the scene with Jack Nicholson sitting at a bar and calling the bartender a “moron pushing the last legal drug” – who then hands him a menu of cannabis strains instead of a bourbon?
What Changed Since the 30’s?
So what sparked this evolution? A few things:
– Changing social attitudes toward cannabis
– State-level legalization movements
– More open dialogue about drug policy
– Filmmakers who actually knew what they were talking about
The Bottom Line
Looking at cannabis in cinema is like watching a time-lapse of social change. We’ve moved from over-the-top propaganda to nuanced storytelling that reflects real life. Sure, we still get plenty of stoner comedies, but we also get serious documentaries, thoughtful dramas, and everything in between.
Next time you’re watching a movie featuring cannabis in anything from a walk-on role to lead character, think about how far we’ve come from those black-and-white scare-tactic films. It’s not just about how cannabis is portrayed – it’s about how society’s views have evolved, and how cinema both reflects and influences those changes.
Just remember – while movies might make cannabis look fun and consequence-free, real life comes with real responsibilities. We’re always hammering home the importance of always knowing your local laws and workplace policies. After all, you don’t want your life turning into a drama when it could be a comedy.
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Note: The hemp/cannabis industry has in the prime of its evolution. The Cbdeeme team encourages anyone interested in seeing how it develops (and literally, how history is being made), to visit the NCIA site: https://thecannabisindustry.org/.
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