Log In | Register
We have all seen the subliminal messages in movies. An inappropriate image on a movie cover, provocative words in the sky, or voice-overs suggesting things to teenagers. We have all seen the videos, papers, and websites dedicated to the controversy. But what about the not-so-subliminal? The images and messages blatantly put out in most forms of media? Things like this are seen and passed by more. Perhaps the biggest example of the non-subliminal messages is the placement of cannabis sativa, more commonly known as marijuana, or by its street names of pot or weed.
Marijuana, when smoked or possessed by an “average Joe”, is illegal. But when it is seen in movies, heard in music, mentioned on television, or endorsed by a celebrity, the situation changes. The hypocrisy of this situation is big, and needs to be fixed.
Hollywood can get just about anything out into our culture. If Hollywood says “jump”, the people of American culture beg to know how high. Many commercials use celebrity endorsements to boost their products, and it works. Acne medicine Proactiv uses the same technique, and it boosts their sales. This is because we all look up to celebrities. They are the bodies we want to be, the faces we want to know, and the image of what is perfection. So, it makes sense that when companies use these pop culture icons to support their product, it sells like hotcakes. And when celebrities publicly endorse their positive opinion on marijuana, the same effect can be seen.
There are many celebrities who have publicly voiced this opinion on the illegal drug. Comedians are a huge example of this. Including Doug Benson, Jack Black, who was voted pot smoker of the year, and none other than George Carlin. Actors who smoke marijuana include Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Bruno, Madagascar), Woody Harrelson (2012, Semi-Pro, Zombieland!), and Kevin Smith (Clerks, Mallrats, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back).
But, of course, the biggest group of people who support the drug are musicians. Throughout the years, many musicians have been known to “take a few hits”. Musicians such as Art Garfunkel of Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, and The Beatles, to modern-day favorites Kurt Cobain, Lil’ Wayne, and Kid Cudi.
All of these artists have publicly stated their drug use, or have even written songs about their drug use. Lil’ Wayne’s music often include the sounds of him “lighting up”. Kid Cudi’s popular songs Up, Up & Away (The Wake and Bake Song) and Pursuit of Happiness are all about getting high and being happy.
Of course, you can not mention songs about getting high without talking about popular ska band, Sublime. With obvious songs about getting high, such as “Let’s Go Get Stoned”, “Smoke Two Joints”, and the lyrics used, there’s no denying their love of the plant.
But the promotion doesn’t just flow into your ears. In a list of over 500 drug films, almost half of them were related to marijuana. And almost 100 of these movies were released in the past five years. The movies in the list range from the typical “stoner films” (think Dazed and Confused (1993), Harold and Kumar go to White Castle (2004), and Pineapple Express (2008)) to just popular films (i.e. The Breakfast Club (1985), and The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2004)). All of these movies involve smoking marijuana in a variety of levels.
Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, marijuana is out there in almost all forms of media. Everyone sees and hears it, and most people publicly smoke it. So it makes sense that, with all of these references in our culture, the drug is illegal, right?
Except for the fact that smoking marijuana is illegal. Posessing and/or smoking marijuana is illegal almost everywhere in our country. This is unfair given the mass amounts of publicity it gets. The judges in Congress need to realize this fact, and change it. If marijuana is to remain illegal, then promotion should be as well.
