‘South Park’ Tackles Medical Marijuana

I have to admit I was a little nervous when I first heard “South Park” was airing an episode about medical marijuana this week. The show’s creators have spent the last 13 years mocking public policy issues both credible and contemptible, and—as much as I try to have a sense of humor about these things—I was legitimately worried that the same guys who recently referred to Sarah Jessica Parker as a “transvestite donkey witch” might not portray medical marijuana in the best possible light.

Luckily, I thought last night’s episode—about the opening of the first medical marijuana dispensary in South Park—managed to make the show’s requisite outrageous jokes without going too far in attacking state medical marijuana laws. I especially liked the following line from an employee at the new South Park dispensary: “We can’t just sell the marijuana to anybody. You need a reference from your doctor to show it’s necessary.”

It’s not a huge leap to assume that as Colorado residents, the show’s creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, may themselves have seen dispensaries up close. It’s also worth mentioning that last night’s episode included an accompanying side plot that shows how doing anything to excess can be bad for you, and how making a highly demanded product illegal can lead to “underground black markets, death, and shootings.”

Gee, what does that sound like?

For those who haven’t seen it, you can watch the episode for free at SouthParkStudios.com.