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Grass

Name: Grass
Director: Ron Mann
Released: 1999
Duration: 80 min

Representation Score

8.7/10

Excellent

1999

Director

Ron Mann

Runtime

80 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Ron Mann’s documentary excels at revealing how institutional power shapes drug policies and targets specific groups. Its strongest point is the examination of how cannabis prohibition affects minority communities. However, the film lacks a central focus on specific identity-based narratives. While it offers a sophisticated critique of Western legal systems, it remains neutral regarding LGBTQ+ and disability-specific perspectives. Overall, the work is a powerful exploration of the intersection between identity and state power, prioritizing sociological and historical critique over individual character development.

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Category Breakdown

Does Grass have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not focus on specific LGBTQ+ stories or non-traditional gender identities. Instead, it looks at broader themes related to drug policies.

How does Grass portray gender?

Fair

The documentary avoids the 'male-as-authority' stereotype by featuring a variety of experts, including many women in academic and activist roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Grass?

Good

It highlights how drug laws have disproportionately affected minority communities. The film also examines racialized policing and the broader impact of the War on Drugs.

How does Grass represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The documentary critiques Western regulations and explores the plant's role in Eastern spiritual practices. It frames prohibition as a form of systemic oppression.

Does Grass include disability representation?

Fair

The film touches on medicinal history but does not focus on the experiences of individuals with disabilities. There is no specific attention to neurodivergence or physical disabilities.

Present on Screen

Examines how cannabis prohibition disproportionately impacts minority communities.
Challenges Western institutional authority and the morality of mandated prohibition.
Features diverse female voices in academic and activist roles.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit focus on the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities or neurodivergence.
Does not center non-traditional gender identities or specific LGBTQ+ narratives.
The thematic survey approach makes identity-based storytelling secondary to the main subject.

Official Synopsis

Marijuana is the most controversial drug of the 20th Century. Smoked by generations to little discernible ill effect, it continues to be reviled by many governments on Earth. In this Genie Award-winning documentary veteran Canadian director Ron Mann and narrator Woody Harrelson mix humour and historical footage together to recount how the United States has demonized a relatively harmless drug.

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