Entertainment Reviews

BOOK REVIEW

The Science of Marijuana

2^nd Edition (Dec. 7, 2007)

Author: Leslie L. Iversen.

Publisher: Oxford University Press.

For those in search of a clear and unbiased look at the science and history of cannabis, The Science of Marijuana may be the book for you. Written by Leslie Iversen, a professor of pharmacology at Oxford, the tome carefully draws a modern, science-based picture of the progress made in cannabis research over the years.

Through extensive research and example, Dr. Iversen details the risks and benefits associated with the medical and recreational use of marijuana. Along the way, he cites numerous case studies such as those showing a link between cannabis and naturally occurring chemicals in the brain. While chronicling the major advances made in cannabis study, he takes readers on a journey through topics such as pharmacology, sociology, safety issues, medical application and the ever-controversial legalization debate.

Although a bit technical at times, The Science of Marijuana uses lay terms whenever possible, making it a great reference tool for both the experienced horticulturist and the beginning budster. Throughout, the author attempts to be fair and balanced, providing just the facts rendered from his research. (Greg Aragon)

FILM

Adventureland

Director: Greg Mottola.

Studio: Miramax Films.

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Bill Hader.

Marijuana has a long and mixed history in Hollywood, whether with propaganda films like Reefer Madness or as the MacGuffin for stoner roles like Sean Penn’s Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Adventureland joins the annals of that history as a bildungsroman about finding yourself, falling in love and smoking out with regular frequency.

You already know the plot: Jesse Eisenberg falls in love with Kristen Stewart, but they’re young so it’s just not going to be that easy for them. In between having a suck job at a cheap theme park, Eisenberg and his friends get stoned—a lot. One could say that marijuana is the driving force behind this broad, still-and-deep film, from joints that get a party jumping to hash cookies that allow Eisenberg’s and Stewart’s love to blossom in psychedelic soil.

Drug movies usually have a coming-down-hard in the third act to keep conservatives happy—Trainspotting and Sid and Nancy being two prime examples. But in Adventureland, it’s not the marijuana but a break up-inspired binge that causes Eisenberg to crash his car. Sorry, kids. High is fine, but drunken driving is never cool. (Jasen T. Davis)

TV COMEDY

Talking Monkeys in Space

Air Date:  March 27.

Channel: Comedy Central.

Starring: Joe Rogan.

Martial-arts athlete, actor and TV host, Joe Rogan (NewsRadio, Fear Factor, Ultimate Fighting Championship) has blazed no shortage of fresh territory during his career. Now with his upcoming special, Talking Monkeys in Space, which premieres 10 p.m. Saturday, March 27, on Comedy Central, he returns to familiar territory as a celebrated stand-up comedian.

Rogan takes viewers on a twisted journey through his inner consciousness, where he ponders issues of aging, legalizing marijuana, politics, baby-making, gay marriage, Dr. Phil and other material just begging for comedic treatment.

Regarding TV’s daytime psychiatrist, Rogan has some advice of his own: “Ladies, don’t take relationship advice from a guy you don’t want to fuck.” On politics and cannabis, he wonders how a black guy got elected president of the United States before pot got legal.

“God damn, how scared are they of weed?” he asks. “I thought it was going to be the exact opposite. I thought weed would be legal, everybody would get high and say, ‘Let’s elect a black guy.’”

Filmed at the Southern Theatre in Columbus, Ohio, Talking Monkeys in Space will also be released March 30 on CD and DVD. (Greg Aragon)