By Shannon Boklaschuk
The Star-Phoenix, July 31, 2004

The one-man, multi-character play is billed as a "criminal comedy," and for good reason: it's hilarious from beginning to end. It's almost illegal to have this much fun.

The play's action centres around Charlie Kovacs (Russell Bennett), a young Jewish lawyer whose true passion is cultivating various types of weed. Kovacs' pot smoking friend encourages him to keep on growing his "illegal flowers," and together they claim the coveted Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam.

But all is not mellow for Kovacs, who has to deal with his law practice, his parents, his secret garden, his beautiful ex-girlfriend and his troubles with the police. Will Kovacs ever be free to be The Reefer Man?

While the 80-minute play is light-hearted and funny, it also has a serious side. Embedded within the stoner story is a well-researched critique of Canada's cannabis laws, and a little bit of a history lesson, too.

"I love pot. Is that wrong?" the main character asks at the beginning of the play, thereby defining the show's theme.

And Bennett seems well-equipped to ask the question.

A native of Toronto, Bennet began acting at age 10, earned a biology degree at 20 and became a lawyer at 26. Instead of choosing a law career, however, he pursued his love of acting, and now, at age 33, presents The Reefer Man, which was co-written and directed by Gillian Stevens-Guille.

Bennett also produced and directed Stoned: Hemp Nation on Trial, a documentary that premiered on Newsworld in 1998.

What is most impressive about The Reefer Man is Bennett's amazing ability to play very different characters and to create very different voices. At times, it's easy to forget there's only one actor on stage, given his great talent for comedic characterization.

Whether he's playing the meddling mother, the demanding father, the sexy ex or the dope-lovin' pal, Bennet is convincing. One particularly funny character is former Prime Minister Mackenzie King, who experiences a "bad trip" after using opium.

The bottom line? No matter what your feelings about marijuana may be, The Reefer Man is a hoot.