Good Movies about Weed

Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 10:31 am

If you’re a fan of ganja, skunk, reefer, spliff, or gangster, then you’ll want to check out this list of good movies about weed. For readers who are especially square, I’m talking about marijuana. The following films stretch from the paranoid days of the 1930s (when pot was believed to cause insanity) to more permissive modern times.

To enjoy these good movies about weed, you can always drive down to your local video store. Of course, you run the risk of getting pulled over by the cops, and anyone seeking out films about sweet, sweet Mary Jane might want to avoid that. The other option is Netflix, an online movie rental service that allows you to order from the privacy of your own home and have films delivered right to your mailbox. That way, you can get your 4:20 on without having to worry about any drama from the five-oh. Click here to sign up for Netflix, and enjoy over 100,000 titles and no late fees.

The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat (1974) – A raunchy animated feature that serves as a sequel to the controversial Fritz the Cat (the first animated movie to receive an X rating). This time around, Fritz is unhappily married to a nag of a wife. As she rants and raves, he lights up a joint and enters a dream-like realm. There, he meets a bum who claims to be God, shoots off Hitler’s one testicle, gets framed for assassinating a black president, and goes on a mission to Mars. It’s totally trippy, man.

Grass: History of Marijuana (1999) – Narrated by everyone’s favorite pothead, Woody Harrelson, this award-winning Canadian documentary examines America’s war on marijuana, from the early days of fearmonger Harry Anslinger to the modern-day struggles to legalize it. Broken into decades, the film looks at propaganda through the years, as well as how much money has been spent by the U.S. to solve the “problem.”

The Union: The Business Behind Getting High (2007) – Another Canadian documentary about the business of marijuana, this one has received high marks from film festivals and stoners alike. Everyone from growers and cops to celebrities (Tommy Chong, Joe Rogan) are interviewed, and a strong correlation is made between the current war on pot and the U.S. prohibition of alcohol during the 1920s.

High Times’ Potluck (2002) – High Times put together their own cannabis-related movie, and it follows a suitcase filled with pot from a marijuana farm to the bright lights of New York City. Along the way, it passes through the hands of various characters, including those played by Jason Mewes and Frank Gorshin (The Riddler from the old Batman TV show). There’s also romance and murder to be had, and the entire thing culminates at the appropriately-named “Reefer Rally.” Also starring Jason Isaacs, Tommy Chong, and Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling.

Lammbock (2001) – Marijuana is smoked all over the globe, which is why we have this German flick about two guys whose gourmet pizza business is nothing but a front for selling pot. But things get complicated when an undercover cop takes an interest in them. Mixing comedy and drama, the film draws inspiration from the works of Kevin Smith and Quentin Tarantino, even featuring a pair of characters who look suspiciously like Jay and Silent Bob. Worth a look if you’ve ever wondered what potheads were like in other countries.

For more good movies about weed, click on the link and become a Netflix subscriber.

Humboldt County (2008) – After failing to get into medical school, Peter Hadley (Jeremy Strong) meets up (and hooks up) with the free-spirited Bogart (Fairuza Balk). Going on a road trip with her, Peter soon finds himself in Humboldt County, California, and learns that her adoptive family (including Chris Messina, Frances Conroy, and Brad Dourif) runs a marijuana farm. Unable to leave, he sets about helping with the family business. Hollywood legend Peter Bogdanovich co-stars as Peter’s father.

Reefer Madness (1938) – A bizarre piece of propaganda that’s great for a laugh. Reefer Madness refers to pot as “the sweet pill that makes life bitter,” and it actually tried to convince viewers in the 1930s that marijuana would cause everything from madness to murder. Potheads rediscovered the film in the 1970s, and it’s been considered a classic ever since. A musical spoof of the film played off-Broadway in 2001, eventually inspiring an original Showtime movie in 2005 (starring Kristen Bell and Neve Campbell).

Assassin of Youth (1937) – Another exploitation film from the 1930s about the evils of weed, Assassin of Youth took its title from the infamous article written by drug czar Harry J. Anslinger, the man who managed to convince people that pot would lead to insanity and murder (he also had a problem with “Satanic music” such as jazz and swing). In the movie, a journalist goes undercover to check out the granddaughter of a recently-deceased rich woman. If the girl can meet a morals clause in the will, she’ll inherit a fortune. While her greedy relatives try to frame her, the journalist must also struggle to help her break free from the evil, pot-dealing teens she’s fallen in with.

Rolling Kansas (2003) – Thomas Haden Church co-wrote, directed, and appeared in this indie film about five men who set out to find a secret government marijuana field. But to do so, they’ll have to contend with a crazy old man (Rip Torn, naturally), strippers, geese, and lots and lots of cops. Starring James Roday, Kevin Pollak, Sam Huntington, and Jay Paulson, this low-budget gem should make a fine addition to anyone’s library of pot films.

Saving Grace (2000) – After her husband kills himself, a reserved housewife (Brenda Blethyn) uses her knowledge of horticulture to grow marijuana and get out of debt. Co-starring Craig Ferguson, Bill Bailey, and Tcheky Karyo. A wacky British comedy that captured the Audience Award at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival.

That wraps up our list of good movies about weed. If you haven’t already wandered off to eat some potato chips, let me remind you about becoming a Netflix member. They offer fast and easy service, and they have subscription plans to meet any budget. Plus, we get a small commission when you sign up, which is always a good thing.

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