Editor’s Note
The trailer for upcoming horror movie Us (directed by Oscar winner Jordan Peele, and coming out on Friday) features a slowed down, distorted and creepy version of I Got 5 On It. That track by Luniz is one of the best rap jams the ’90s gifted us (that’s high praise, because the ’90s were an amazing period for rap music — despite the violence and misogyny). The song is even responsible for a video of Prince William dancing alone to it at a party (spoiler alert: he dances like a dad).
It’s serendipitous, then, that this edition falls in the week that Us is released, because that track is such a big part of the film’s promotion and it’s about ... weed. The song is about getting some money together with your friends to buy some green, and the way it describes the experience of smoking is rather romantic.
Our edition this week — in case the cover hasn’t made it obvious — is about weed, the spliff, ganja, dagga, marijuana, cannabis, Mary Jane ... There’s no real reason why we chose to do it this week rather than on 4/20
(which is unofficially international weed day), except that April is a very busy month and we’ve got lots of cool editions and articles in store for you.
Since its legalisation for private use and growing months ago, weed has been topical, so it is an evergreen (wink wink) subject. It’s still a bit controversial, although the “gateway drug” theories around it have been disputed by reputable medical organisations and journals.
It’s important to make one thing clear: this edition isn’t intended to glorify marijuana and its usage. We’re not encouraging you (or your children) to try it. What you choose to do isn’t up to us.
Our aim with this edition is to explore marijuana and its stories: have attitudes changed in SA since laws no longer prohibit private use of the “herb”? Is medicinal marijuana reliable or is it just a fad? And has the legalisation led to more people getting in on the action?
Hans Mackenzie Main tackles some of these questions in his piece, which also explores his own personal relationship with cannabis; Paul Ash shares some fascinating facts about the plant’s history and why its prohibition in the US was rooted in racism; Claire Keeton hangs out with some pensioners who are flocking to the shops to buy weedgrowing kits; Yolisa Mkele looks into the possible benefits of medicinal marijuana; and Andrea Nagel uses historical fact to challenge the stoner stereotype.
It’s a fabulous issue and everyone involved has done a wonderful job. Whether you’re into the reefer or you detest it, I believe this issue contains some interesting knowledge and perspectives to, at the very least, give you something to talk about at the dinner table — where you may or may not be extremely hungry.