The Marijuana-Logues pushes herbal humor into the mainstream
What The Vagina Monologues did for, er, vaginas, The Marijuana-Logues did for cannabis, which is essentially to create a forum for entertainers to discuss a controversial or taboo subject and inject it with humor and commentary. The off-Broadway show was created by comics Doug Benson, Arj Barker and Tony Camin and began its first run in 2004. Along the way it helped to further marijuana’s penetration into mainstream culture, garnering reviews in Entertainment Weekly, Newsday and the New York Press as it criss-crossed the country, one comedy club at a time. The show became successful enough to spin off a book (The Marijuana-Logues: Everything About Pot That We Could Remember) in 2005. The show delved into all the nooks and crannies of marijuana culture; from tongue-in-cheek nomenclature (Dr. Phil My Pipe Up, Mr. T-HC) to a code of etiquette (“Rule Number 2: Always remember to thank the person who has gotten you high.” Tommy Chong actually became part of the tour for a short time. The party came to an end in 2006 . . . but we’re still laughing. (Michael Carlos)
