4/20 is the only worldwide holiday that celebrates marijuana which is now legal in numerous states. Celebrate with these titles ranging from bawdy comedies to informative documentaries. These films are well-suited for the habitual pothead, weed connoisseur, or even the non-stoner interested in learning the history behind cannabis, its long journey towards legalization, and its use in the medical field. Whether you are a frequent user or have a passing interest in marijuana studies, this list is sure to give you a buzz.
The Medicine in Marijuana
(2018) 35 min. DVD: $275. Bullfrog Films. PPR. SDH captioned. ISBN: 1-948745-20-8. Volume 34, Issue 6
Filmmakers Ben Daitz and Ned Judge’s short documentary on the state of medical marijuana use and its effectiveness in the U.S. delivers a snapshot of the ways in which some patients are benefiting from CBC, THC, and other chemical compounds found in marijuana, while noting that further research in the field remains hampered by longstanding federal regulations.
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Gringo
Universal, 111 min., R, DVD: $29.99, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $34.99, June 5 Volume 33, Issue 4
Despite a few logical holes, the intricacies and reversals here tie together reasonably well, while the cast seems to enjoy the cartoonish antics of this comic pulp, a mixture of nasty farce and violent action.
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Evergreen: The Road to Legalization
First Run, 86 min., not rated, DVD: $24.95, Sept. 16 Volume 29, Issue 5
Ultimately, Evergreen tells a lively story of passion and political compromise: 502 supporters maintain that the initiative was the best and only way to break the stranglehold of drug laws that currently fill prisons for simple possession. Hiatt, on the other hand, calls 502's passage a Pyrrhic victory. A fine examination of a hot button topic, this is highly recommended.
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Pineapple Express
Sony, 117 min., avail. in R or unrated versions, DVD: $28.98, Blu-ray: $39.95, Jan. 6 Volume 24, Issue 1
Scripted by Rogen and Evan Goldberg (with an assist by Apatow), director David Gordon Green's Pineapple Express is a stoner buddy spoof that starts out with character-based humor, but then seriously ratchets up the action, so that the third act is basically a series of over-the-top chases, shootouts, and fight scenes that reference other action movies.
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Cannabis Cultivation Outdoors: A Twelve Step Program for Growing Medical Marijuana
Medical information in some states, subversive if well-intentioned propaganda in others, this is an excellent guide to cultivating marijuana. The producers intend this video for use in producing medical marijuana, but one suspects their advice will be appreciated by other interested parties, too. Highly recommended--in fact, smokin'. Editor's Choice.
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