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UVSS HEMPOLOGY 101 CLUB LESSON #8 : CANNABIS IN THE MEDIA - Part 1 |
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The media has been very influential in the prohibition and distorted viewpoints of cannabis. Starting in 1916, the newspaper industry, lead by the Hearst Paper Manufacturing Division, began the ‘Reefer Madness’ campaign. The word ‘Marijuana’ was invented by the media to portray the ‘new drug menace from Mexico’ as a threat to youth. Emily Murphy, the first female judge in the British Empire, wrote a series of articles for Maclean’s Magazine, that eventually became published as ‘The Black Candle’, that were instrumental in generating public opinion against cannabis. In 1936 the US government produced a film called ‘Reefer Madness’ that depicts cannabis users in various states of delusion behaviour quite unlike the common experiences of cannabis consumers. Ironically, just a few years later in 1942 the US government produced another film about cannabis, but this one was titled, ‘Hemp For Victory’ and glorified the benefits of growing hemp for the farmer and the economy. Hollywood replaced the violent addict with the stoned hippy in the 1960’s and 70’s with movies like ‘Easy Rider’ and eventually the Cheech and Chong movies. Ron Mann produced the Genie award-winning documentary ‘Grass’ in 1999, which is the best anti-prohibition film yet, undermining many of the stereotypes suppressing the culture. Meanwhile, the US government has launched several attempts to control the images of cannabis users portrayed in movies and on television. As a result, few positive drug experiences by relatively normal people have been seen on screen since it’s invention. Cannabis is now included as a regular social activity on many TV shows and movies. Unfortunately, much of the cannabis use on TV does not depict pot smokers in a positive light. While the Trailer Park Boys are funny, they do not give people who have not been exposed to normal cannabis use a good impression. There is even a TV show called WEEDS that gives viewers an inside look at a compassion club in California. For over 30 years, High Times magazine has been the largest and most productive anti-prohibition publication. Many magazines have attempted to provide better coverage of the movement but few have lasted long. While there have been few examples of mainstream comics portraying cannabis in a positive light, the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers have provided laughs and information to the cannabis community for years. Some believe that the spinach that Popeye ate to gain super-human strength was a parody of cannabis use by sailors. In the last 10 or 15 years, large media companies have began to provide some balanced reporting on cannabis, though most of the coverage on TV and in print continues to be about police raids and trials. Most reporting done on the subject is superficial and it seems as though the police rarely have to answer any difficult questions from the media regarding the effectiveness of the drug laws. Some major media sources are writing strong editorials supporting legalization. New forms of communication are proving instrumental in changing cannabis laws by networking activists while providing free instant updates and in-depth reporting to the public. Communicating through e-mail and chat-rooms has made interaction between activists more efficient and cost effective. New web pages are constantly appearing with more information, products and cannabis activities. Though it was the media that lead the prohibition of cannabis, it will be the media that leads the fight for legalization.
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| International Hempology 101
Society www.hempology.ca |
Cannabis Buyers' Clubs of Canada www.cbc-canada.ca |
