By Jennifer Parks
Edmonton Sun, August 17, 2004

More than a pothead manifesto, lawyer, actor and co-writer Russell Bennett rolls a compelling argument for legalizing weed in The Reefer Man.

Physical slapstick, clever dialogue and an impressive repertoire of impersonations make this smart comedy a must-see at the Fringe, if you're a fan of the ganja, care about the political and legal debate over that nefarious bud or just want to get high off... laughter.

The story revolves around Charlie Kovacs, a successful lawyer whose real passion is growing pot in his basement.

His best friend, Max, calls him up to tell him he's a finalist in the Cannabis Cup, and moments later Kovacs returns home and gets busted.

Instead of pleading guilty, The Reefer Man launches an attack on Canada's pot laws with a chutzpah that would make even his Jewish parents proud.

Beginning his research, Kovacs takes Max's advice and holds a seance to contact former Prime Minister Mackenzie King and anti-drug writer Emily Murphy. Out of othis hilarious session, they conclude the country's earliest pot laws were based on racist propaganda. Max and Kovacs celebrate their discovery by smoking a fatty.

The play is rife with comedy. Among the most memorable moments are Bennett's bong sound effects, his James Bond impersonations as he slinks through the elaborate security system in his basement that guards his hydroponic garden, and his mother's lively protest against him dating non-Jewish girls, "Remember the bird and the fish, Charlie. Where would they live?"

"If you see pot growing between the tulips on Parliament Hill, you'll know The Reefer Man was there," says Bennett, who totally rocks this one-man show and at the end encourages others to develop their own green thumb.