Apr 20 2019

SYSK Selects: How Marijuana Works

Selects 62 min 5 movies discussed
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For millennia people used marijuana for fun and medicine. Not until the 20th century that was it vilified, unfairly say many. Weed has done lots of good things, from alleviating cancer symptoms to unlocking secrets of the brain. Learn all about pot here.

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# Summary

In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck dive deep into the fascinating history and science of marijuana, tracing it from its ancient roots in China and Egypt through its criminalization in 1930s America (largely driven by racism toward Mexican immigrants) to its modern-day resurgence in legal dispensaries. They explore the plant itself, how THC affects the brain and body through the endocannabinoid system, and cover everything from the memorable "Farmer Ted" illustrations of how smoking versus eating pot produces different effects to the ongoing debates about addiction and legitimate medicinal uses like appetite stimulation and glaucoma treatment.


Movies Discussed

Caddyshack
Caddyshack
1980 1h 38m
★ 6.6
"I can't hear that word without thinking of Caddyshack. I don't remember that part. Bill Murray. Little California sensamia. — Referenced in relation to the term 'sensimilla' and a line from the movie." — Josh
Dazed and Confused
Dazed and Confused
1993 1h 42m
★ 7.3
"Back in this time, you remember the part in Dazed and Confused where like the biggest stoner of the whole group is talking about George Washington like, like planting hemp all day and then comes home and smokes a big bowl of it. — Referenced as an example of a character discussing George Washington growing hemp and smoking pot." — Josh
Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical
Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical
2006 1h 48m
★ 6.6
"Movies like reefer madness definitely didn't help. In 1936, the famous propaganda movie from French director Louis Gasnier, it's, you know, required viewing for any college student at some point. — Discussed as a propaganda film that vilified marijuana and portrayed reefer addicts being driven to insanity." — Josh
Stoned
Stoned
★ 9.0
"I remember that from the Scott Beyo after school special, Stoned. Did you ever see that one? No, I saw Zapt. — Mentioned as an after-school special about a pothead that ended with an accidental death." — Chuck
Street Fighter II: V
Street Fighter II: V
1995 TV-14
★ 7.7
"When I hear that album, I think of Street Fighter II. Did you play a lot of that then? We would sit around in college, listen to The Chronic and play Street Fighter II. — Referenced as a game played while listening to Dr. Dre's album 'The Chronic' in college." — Josh

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