Fab 5 Freddy explores the racist origins of marijuana prohibition in the Netflix documentary, ‘Grass is Greener’. The documentary stands out because it focuses on black culture, music, and the role both played in shaping the cannabis industry as we know it today. However, if you’re a tried-and-true stoner, most of the documentaries revelations aren’t news. But, they do serve as a reminder that cannabis shouldn’t be legalized without acknowledging the harm [intentionally done through prohibition] to black and brown communities all over this country.

I thought I was a tried-and-true stoner, but there were a few interesting facts I learned about cannabis culture while watching this documentary. Check them out below!

1 - Jazz Musicians Were Considered the First to Popularize Cannabis Use

In the 20’s and 30’s, jazz music was like hip-hop music - only the hippest cats played / listened to it, and it was provocatively alluring for that time period. Fab 5 Freddy suggests you can trace the use of cannabis [by jazz musicians] to New Orleans, and that you could only find good refer in the hottest underground clubs - the only clubs during that time that played ‘real’ jazz.

Jazz musicians used cannabis as a way to connect to the music, and their use of the plant, combined with their influence is how the use became so widespread within the community. The documentary lists a number of notable jazz musicians who used the plant, but they focus on Louis Armstrong, the father of modern jazz music - who was ahead of his time both musically, and as it concerns cannabis reform. When the government started to crack down on cannabis use, Armstrong was among the first to advocate for fair legislation, and even a permit to carry for personal use. They even go as far as calling him a “pothead”. The documentary below goes into further detail about Armstrong’s use of the plant.

2 - Harry Anslinger, a Well-Known Racist, Pioneered Cannabis Prohibition

Hopefully we all know that cannabis prohibition and the war on drugs are merely campaigns to keep people of color oppressed. If not, get with the program.

But where did it all start? And why? Well, the Netflix documentary named Harry J Anslinger the father of prohibition, and a master of PR and fake news. Anslinger was once an associate in the [alcohol] prohibition department, and ends up becoming the first head of the Bureau of Narcotics. It is also no coincidence that Anslinger was a notorious racist, even among racists - as we can see from the aftermath of prohibition and the war on drugs. Throughout his career he would use propaganda to sway public opinion on cannabis use, since not many Americans really knew what it was, and mostly blacks and latinos used the plant for recreational purposes. Anslinger orchestrated the “Gore Files”, a collection of quotes from police reports - to graphically depict offenses caused by drug users (many of which where exaggerated or completely fabricated), and is even said to have had a hand in the death of Billie Holiday.

3 - So Many Names!

The documentary went through almost every name there is for cannabis, and there were a few I didn’t know:

Kaya
Jive
Gauge

4 - Jazz had Mezz Marrow, and Hip-Hop had Harlem’s Branson

Both of these men had the best bud on the block during their time, and even had systems in place similar to modern day dispensaries. The best jazz musicians shopped with “Mighty Mezz” and sang about his flower, similarly, New York hip-hop legends shopped with and rapped about Branson’s quality bud.

4 Things I Learned From 'Grass is Greener'

1 - Jazz Musicians Were Considered the First to Popularize Cannabis Use

2 - Harry Anslinger, a Well-Known Racist, Pioneered Cannabis Prohibition

3 - So Many Names!

4 - Jazz had Mezz Marrow, and Hip-Hop had Harlem’s Branson