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Oliver Stone is one of the most influential directors in the movie industry and he is also one of the most controversial. His recent comments about marijuana use and the regulation of the drug have drawn him some unwanted attention. He doesn’t mind though. According to him he isn’t going to change. His latest movie “Savages” is based on the adventures of two small time marijuana growers her inadvertently upset a large South American/Mexican drug cartel. Even though Stone says there is no direct link to his political views about marijuana use and the movie, the undertones are obvious.
In a recent interview with “High Times” magazine, Stone admits he has criss crossed the globe and smoked with actors and other influential people, both in the movie industry and otherwise. He talks candidly during the interview of the thousands of people in American jails that have been charged with “victimless crimes”. His claim is that millions of dollars each year are spent prosecuting and incarcerating individuals who were caught with marijuana that was for their own personal use. He even goes so far as to tell the readers to stand up for what they believe in, claiming government officials have promised change for years, but nothing seems to ever come of it.
Stone also discusses the million dollar industry the marijuana industry has become. Trade between the United States and Mexico is stronger than ever before and states that have already passed legislation making marijuana legal for medical purposes are seeing adequate, if not, great revenue from the move. Both California and Michigan claim that the business is doing fairly well for them despite the objections of some anti-drug supporters.
Stone’s views on the situation are entirely his own and makes no bones about how he feels. He proudly admits to being a very high functioning individual while continually partaking in his favorite past time. It might work for him, but others would still like to see the subject go up in smoke.
