By Teri Stevens
New Winnipeg, July 2004

Upon seeing that there is a show about marijuana, onemight expect it to be put on by teenage slacker typesproclaiming their love for grass with littleintellectual discourse. Not so with 'The Reefer Man"as I was pleased to stumble upon one of the best showsI've seen so far at this years fringe.

The play tells the story of Charlie Kovacs, a lawyerwho sidelines as a gardener. Of course, the flowers inhis garden aren't simple petunias. Charlie has agrow-op in his basement and we follow him through theretelling of how he has ended up on the run from thelaw.

The play is not only humorous, but thought provoking,as Charlie challenges Canada's Marijuana Laws, drawson the racist beginnings of these laws and depicts theplight of people with AIDS and Cancer who rely on thedrug to get through the day. Upon polling theaudience, well over 80% of had smoked marijuana atsome time, he proclaims, well, we're criminals too.

Beyond the political message, the show is technicallyflawless, humorous and engaging. Russell Bennett playsmulti-characters with ease. The show also has a veryinteresting beginning as Bennett zooms across thestage, screams cause he realizes he's in a room fullof people, and then takes a seat in the audiencewondering why the play isn't starting.

Some may avoid this show because they don't agree withthe perceived message but that would be a horribleoversight. This show is worth a spin and sincereconsideration of the issues and thoughts it provokes.