A lightweight, escapist documentary.

The historical footage chosen by director Ron Mann is both impressive and negligent.

Grass is a documentary which argues for the decriminalisation of marijuana while telling a history of the weed - from a strictly North American viewpoint. Director Ron Mann argues that government opposition to pot was originally racist in origin (it was smoked by Mexican labourers) and that billions have been spent trying to stop the unstoppable. There are plenty of film clips, some going back to the silent era, many of them funny, whether unintentionally so (crusading films like Reefer Madness) or intentionally (Cheech and Chong`s Up In Smoke). Woody Harrelson narrates a film which would be more likeable if it didn`t resort to the bad habit of including outtakes in which pompous officials and politicians, thinking they`re off camera, look more ridiculous than usual - if that were possible.