A friend of mine at Showtime’s Customer Relations Department sent me this email that he once received in regards to “Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical”, Showtime’s 2005 Made-for-Television adaption of the farcical stage production.
Dear Showtime,
I think you are great for producing Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical, a wholesome and accurate depiction of Marijuana’s true impact, as opposed to the UnGodly lies spread by Satan and his sycophantic liberal media.
When I first heard about this, I watched it suspecting that it was just going to be another special that glorifies the Drug Culture, like that horrible piece of demonic filth Weeds.
I was pleasantly surprised. What I saw depicted was an inspiring portrayal of the effects of marijuana. I was particularly moved by the scene in which Mary Lane is, for the first time, forced to sit alone in Church because she has lost her boyfriend Jimmy Harper to drug abuse.
Within that scene, Mary Lane rightly points out how, by association, drug use corrupts innocent people into Mortal Sin. Specifically, the absence of Jimmy Harper led her to lie to a fellow parishioner about the adjacent seat being vacant.
Later on, Mary Lane is tricked into inhaling her first puff of marijuana. She is immediately corrupted and becomes a sado-masochistic pervert. I had hoped that somebody would accurately demonstrate the true connection between illegal drug use and moral decay.
I thought that Reefer Madness also struck a righteous chord when it pointed out how Marijuana led Jimmy Harper towards sexual deviance, murder, and the abandonment of Our Savior Jesus Christ.
Never has a movie shown so much God-honest truth about the negative impact of Marijuana on society. I really must thank you for this, because I think that scenes like these truly resonate with today’s young adults and inspire them towards a sober and responsible lifestyle.
Since watching Reefer Madness, I have used it to reach out to the drug addict and potential drug addict community. Apparently, the 20th of April is some sort of holiday for them, so once a year on that date I bring out the Church’s projector, surround sound speakers, and 15-foot screen and host a free showing of it in the Church’s Reception Hall.
It’s amazing what kind of turnout I get. At first the community was skeptical, but once word got around that I was showing it, people (especially teenagers and young adults) have flocked to Church just to see it.
In fact, they’ve started making a festivity out of it. What started off as just a few teenagers staring blankly at the screen has now evolved into something of a huge picnic. Every year, hordes of people flock to my church, bringing armfuls of snack food with them, which in the tradition reminiscent of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fish, is peacefully shared among them.
In fact, I’m amazed that this event has led so many people to voluntarily take communion as well. I know from personal experience that those who have had trouble accepting Jesus and his teachings are hesitant to take communion, but when I offer them communion during the showing of this film, it’s a miracle; they ask for it with a hunger that almost suggests that they’ve never eaten or drank before!
And, what is more, there’s an amazing sense of peace during this event. Everybody who comes is smiling and happy. This certainly isn’t like the lecherous, barbaric drug addict stereotype I’ve been lead to believe in.
Granted, most of the congregation smells a bit funny, but they’re all very docile and they just sit there captivated by this movie. In fact, I often hear laughter and the merry voices of congregants singing along to the movie.
When the movie is over, the congregation always seems to be in such high spirits. Such a mirthful atmosphere must truly be The Lord’s work. Since starting this tradition, I have repeatedly managed to bring flocks of people back into the loving arms of Our Savior Jesus Christ, if only for one day a year.
Thank you and Bless you, Showtime, for making a movie that does such a glorious job of preaching the word of God. With your help, I truly believe that I have helped inspire many people to realize God’s Message about illegal drugs and adopt a wholesome Christian Lifestyle.
Peace Be With You,
Pastor John McGrath
Jesus the Holy Shepard Episcopalian Church
Topeka, Kansas