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NORML screens 'Reefer Madness'
By Chris Heinitz
As part of its continuing effort to dispel misconceptions about marijuana, the SCSU chapter of National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) screened the 1938 film "Reefer Madness," at the Miller Center Monday.
The film depicts the "pitfalls of marijuana," portraying it as a deadly narcotic that will turn children into murderous, promiscuous deviants.
The movie has become a cult classic and is part of a drug propaganda genre.
"It's humorous to us. We want people to see that it's humor, not real life," said NORML board member Cody Stewart.
"It's funny because it's too stretched. It makes you think they didn't have any real reason to tell people not to use pot so they made up these ones," said first-year student Julie McGinnis.
One aim of NORML is to convince the public that representations of marijuana in anti-drug campaigns contain misinformation.
"The government still lies and uses propaganda today," said SCSU NORML Vice President Heather Jadwinski.
"This type of stuff is still very, very common. Look at the ads today," said President Amie Stockholm, referring to ads that depict teens high on marijuana running over kids, acting sexually promiscuous and shooting their friends.
"Studies show when you lie to kids and tell them it's more harmful than it is, the kid experiments and finds out it's not that bad and parents lose credibility. We shouldn't lie to kids," Stockholm said.
The movie is seen by some as the archetype of government attitudes about marijuana - sensational and false.
"It's a great illustration of government misinformation," Stockholm said.
Presented as an educational film, "Reefer Madness" begins with a school principal giving commentary and a stern warning about marijuana.
"It's far more dangerous than heroin, opium and morphine," the character says.
The audience is invited to watch the undoing of a couple of model teens as they are seduced by the reckless, fiendish lifestyle of the marijuana smoker.
The movie portrays the smokers as deranged, tightly-wound psychopaths.
After the effects of marijuana begin to set in, a chaotic, vulgar party erupts.
As drug use progresses, problems continue to multiply. In a drug-induced fit of rage, a young boy speeds carelessly through the city and runs into a pedestrian. Without flinching, the boy crazily drives off.
Later, a man high on marijuana uncontrollably rapes a woman. As someone attempts to stop him, a gunfight ensues and the woman is inadvertently shot in the back. Because of his marijuana use and unbalanced state of mind, a young man is easily framed and eventually convicted of murder.
In its most outlandish scene, viewers witness what is supposed to be a pot smoker over the edge viciously beating a man to death with a blunt object for no apparent reason. All the while a woman high on marijuana looks on with psychotic lust and cynical giggles.
"It's harmful to marijuana smokers because it portrays them negatively when in fact studies show that use inhibits violence," Stockholm said.
In an anti-climactic conclusion, the principal sternly warns, "Don't let this happen to your children (pointing to the left), or yours (pointing to the right), or yours (pointing directly at the viewer)."
"The movie is especially important for people who don't smoke pot or are uninformed, so they don't take everything they see as factual," Stewart said.
NORML shows a film approximately once a month in what is called the Dope Film Festival. Other movies about marijuana including "Grass," and "Emperor of Hemp" have been shown. The organization is also planning "Stay on the Grass Week" which will take place April 19-23. April 22, they plan on having a pot movie marathon showcasing all of the Dope Film Festival movies.
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