Television and Film: Authenticity in Depicting Marijuana Use
Creating authentic scenes in television and film can be a daunting task, particularly when it comes to portraying the use of marijuana. Filmmakers often face the challenge of balancing realism with legality and practicality. This article explores various methods used in the film industry to achieve authenticity, including the use of legal buds, herbal cigarettes, and the experiences of notable individuals in the industry.
Props and Legality: Legal Buds
When striving for the most authentic representation in scenes involving marijuana, filmmakers often turn to props that not only look realistic but also comply with current legal standards. Legal buds are an excellent choice for this purpose. These props contain virtually zero THC, making them a safe and legal alternative to actual marijuana. A company specializing in legal buds can offer filmmakers the peace of mind they need while ensuring the scene remains highly realistic.
Hemp, cultivated for centuries as a source of plant fiber, is another option for creating realistic props. Industrial strains of hemp contain virtually zero THC, making them ideal for close-up shots of actors handling and preparing marijuana. This approach not only enhances the visual verisimilitude of the scene but also avoids potential legal complications associated with real marijuana use on set.
Herbal Cigarettes and Rolling Props
Herbal cigarettes are a common prop used in films, but they often come pre-rolled and may not be as satisfactory for certain scenes. Filmmakers may opt to roll their own herbal cigarettes on set, ensuring they match the desired level of authenticity. My own experiences on film sets have involved rolling cigarettes by hand, which often provides a more genuine effect.
Bongs, while a popular option for depicting marijuana use, are less commonly used on modern film sets due to practical and safety concerns. Some scenes, however, may require the use of bongs for specific artistic reasons, though this is not as frequent as the use of herbal cigarettes.
Behind-the-Scenes Stories: Real Marijuana on Set
Tommy Chong, the legendary comedian and co-founder of Cheech and Chong, once shared a memorable story about the use of real marijuana during the filming of Up in Smoke. He and his co-directors acquired live marijuana plants for the film, only to face a unique challenge at the end of each day. The film crew could not leave the plants on set due to legal restrictions, so they enlisted the assistance of the Los Angeles police department to guard the plants. This incident highlights the complex issues faced by filmmakers when incorporating real marijuana into their productions, especially in pre-legalization states.
More recently, Matthew McConaughey, while promoting his film Beach Bum, shared a similar anecdote. During a particular scene where he was smoking a joint, he realized it was not a prop and actually brought the same joint to the set the next day, having been high for over 13 hours. This story, along with the one from Tommy Chong, underscores the importance of realistic props and the sometimes unexpected outcomes on film sets when dealing with real substances.
Conclusion
Authenticity in depicting marijuana use in television and film requires careful consideration of legal, practical, and artistic factors. Legal buds offer a safe, yet realistic prop option, while herbal cigarettes provide a more hands-on approach to maintaining authenticity. Behind-the-scenes stories, such as those shared by Tommy Chong and Matthew McConaughey, provide valuable insights into the complexities of integrating real marijuana into modern-day film productions.
Related Keywords
Movie props, marijuana, film sets, herbal cigarettes, bongs