“Reefer Madness” Screening

Come Wednesday, Wesleyan Students for Sensible Drug Policy (WSSDP) will screen its ceremonial movie (yes, yes, we know—the poster radiates irresistibility.)  With our rough-and-tumble, all-are-welcome attitude, we’d fancy if you joined us for Reefer Madness (1936), a propaganda film that relates the story, as told by high school principal Dr. Carroll to parents at a PTA meeting, of the scourge of marijuana. The tale revolves around Mae and Jack, accomplices in the distribution of marijuana, who manage to entice the local high school kids to stop by Mae’s apartment to smoke reefer. The lives of all who are involved with this menace are inevitably shattered.  The screening will begin with a short historical talk regarding marijuana prohibition; a longer discussion will follow after the movie.

Says Paul Blasenheim ’12:

“A highly appropriate movie to begin our series with, since it represents the beginning of marijuana prohibition.  This movie is crazy and silly, and it has a lot of historical significance to the ridiculous state of the drug war today.  Could be an opportunity to challenge the myth that marijuana has always been illegal/culturally frowned upon.”

• Date: Wednesday, December 9
• Time: 8 in the P.M.
• Place: PAC 001
• Cost: Nil

Interested in learning more about SSDP? We encourage you to drop by our weekly meetings!  SSDP’s mission statement is as follows: “SSDP mobilizes and empowers young people to participate in the political process, pushing for sensible policies to achieve a safer and more just future, while fighting back against counterproductive Drug War policies, particularly those that directly harm students and youth.

• Date: Mondays
• Time: 9 in the P.M.
• Place: University Organizing Center (190 High Street)