"Marijuana: The Musical"

A new Cannabis musical combines the plant's history, functionality and spiritual applications to reveal why it is so important to mankind.

Viewing Cannabis from an interplanetary perspective, Marijuana: The Musical presents the tale of two aliens observing the progress of the plant, which they introduced to the Earth sixty million years ago. A modern show, Len Richmond's latest project combines the classic musical theater techniques of shifting moods and tones, while updating the track listing to encompass a broad spectrum of genres and tempos.

Without an accompanying video, the soundtrack evinces the inherent continuity of the show - including the relevance between each song - and relies upon the strong, wide-ranging theme of Cannabis (mind, body, spirit, society, the environment, etc.) rather than a strict adherence to identifying musical themes.

Suitably-trippy introductory songs transport the audience to an intergalactic theater, where you needn't be surprised if David Bowie shares vaporizer hits while the late Malcolm McLaren announces curtain time over the PA. Kurt Cannabis is the narrator introducing himself, followed by the soothing, New Age atmosphere that is created by the duet Alien Stoners, which outlines the most basic advantages of Cannabis use while serving as exposition to the plot line of the show.

Rather than simply listing the benefits of Cannabis via various song-and-dance numbers, Marijuana: The Musical presents the plant in a centuries-long historical context. For example, Paris in 1843 - where the social use of Cannabis was partially responsible for a creative revolution - is honored by The Hashish Club; New Orleans briefly illustrates the necessity of good, old-fashioned reefer in the development of the entire jazz genre.

A thirst for a good rock ballad is quenched by Victor Hugo - the tune's Brit-pop vibe alternates between Tommy-esque riffs, echoes of Robbie Williams and Queen-like measures. This composition is one of the most polished in the show (in addition to the soothing When I'm High). Exploring the personal relationships that people have with Cannabis and how it can change their lives, Victor Hugo declares that our favorite plant is a gift from a higher power - capable of bridging the gap between us and that power.

When I'm High serves as the show's slinky, down-tempo, jazzy torch song. One of the stronger tracks of the set, Aliya Hashemi seduces the audience with her smooth, classy vocals. An up-tempo coda lends itself to the catchiest dance number of the entire show. Strongly evocative of Katharine Whalen's timeless ballads from the days of the much-missed Squirrel Nut Zippers, When I'm High is likely to become a fan favorite.

Endocannabinoid Tango, while most-decidedly not a tango, lightens the mood by explaining in a rather sexy manner how the endogenous cannabinoids in our bodies function and react with the cannabinoids provided by the titular plant. The tune itself is reminiscent of late-Nineties, down-tempo Green Day, with a march-like, four-four drumbeat and insistent, persuasive lyrics.

At times, Marijuana: The Musical prompts a more visceral reaction from listeners, tackling such hot-button issues as medical Cannabis and its distribution. "The voices of repression are all around..." warns Marijuana Dispensary, which touches upon the legitimacy of medical Cannabis, the struggle between caregivers and/or patients and DEA raids, and the hypocritical laws that prevent people from receiving safe, natural and effective medicine.

As with any good musical, one track in particular may connect with the audience on a personal and empathetic level. The Autism Song is a touching admission of a woman's struggles with her son's autistic reality - one that can only be managed through the application of therapeutic pot. She decries the accusations of being a bad mother or even a criminal for giving him medi-weed, a battle with which many can empathize. Earnest and heart-felt, the song reveals the despair that often leads to people trying medi-weed for the first time. The decision to administer Cannabis - a result of desperately wanting to help her son eat, sleep, control his rages and even look her in the eye - proves to be the most difficult and life-altering choice she can make for him.

The PTS Song, a moody, almost dark-metal offering, evokes the war-like elements of PTSD and reveals the battle that such patients endure on a daily basis. The plight of a man attempting to strike a balance between violent and terrifying thoughts and periods of 'normalcy' is compounded by the inherent cruelty of life itself and the pain and shame of being highly medicated with substances that harm, rather than heal. The negative impact of pharmaceutical use is stressed, as is the importance of presenting kinder, gentler and more effective natural therapies.

This theme is carried by the next track, Big Pharma You Have Bad Karma, which rails against the obvious dangers of the pharmaceutical industry: organ damage, permanent side-effects, changing the chemistry of our brains - plus residual impacts, such as loss of libido, weight gain, hair loss, etc. Big Pharma would be a comedy offering, were the subject not so serious; both large and small issues resulting from prescription drug use are lamented in a wonderfully-menacing tone.

The obligatory reggae tune arrives in the form of Horny for Hemp, a relaxed yet up-tempo male/female duet that discusses the myriad hemp applications, including clothing, fuel, food and plastic. In addition, the song promotes the positive environmental impact of hemp versus crops that damage the environment through their cultivation.

The only real ensemble number in the show, Marijuana Anthem is a conglomeration of musical styles and genres. Truly a political weed anthem, the epilogue tidily wraps up the themes of the show with a conclusive and resounding, "All marijuana is medical!"

Not the first in its genre, Len Richmond's endeavor joins the ranks of Reefer Madness: The Musical and Mary Jane: The Musical. Unlike the others, however, Marijuana: The Musical ambitiously focuses upon the plant's storied history across the centuries, portraying both its positive and negative effects upon our society, including the medi-weed industry and the War on Drugs.

You don't need to see liner notes or a stage act to enjoy the songs in Marijuana: The Musical. A freshly-cured bud and an open mind are all that are required to fully appreciate Len Richmond's latest production.

Marijuana: The Musical
Vocals:
Collin Ozcan
Aliya Hashemi
Len Richmond

Book and Lyrics: Len Richmond
Music: Collin Ozcan
Engineer: Colin Rothwell
Cover Art: Bob Doucette

http://www.lenrichmondfilms.com/

When I'm High:

Marijuana Anthem:

The Autism Song:

Endocannabinoid Tango: