Miami’s cannabis culture and unique nightlife have long attracted filmmakers looking to capture a bit of the city’s zest and encapsulate it in their films. Films as monolithic in pop culture as Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part II, Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman, and Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight are all set in Miami. Here are some other films that have chronicled the city’s cannabis culture over the years.
“Scarface” (1983)
While cannabis is not the central focus of Brian De Palma’s legendary crime drama Scarface, the film captures the drug trade’s sprawling influence in Miami during the 1980s. The city’s reputation marked this era as a hub for illegal substances, including marijuana. Scarface follows Tony Montana’s rise within the cocaine empire, but marijuana, often overshadowed by harder substances in the film, is subtly present and depicted as a stepping-stone in the illicit drug market.
Through its intense portrayal of Miami’s criminal underworld, Scarface may have helped cement the city’s pop-culture image as a place where drug culture thrived. However, it’s worth noting that the film focuses more on crime than on nuanced discussions about cannabis itself.
“Pineapple Express” (2008)
Although David Gordon Green’s modern stoner comedy Pineapple Express wasn’t filmed entirely in Miami, its ties to Florida’s cannabis culture are undeniable. The film’s comedic take on marijuana’s role in friendships and its intersections with crime speaks to broader cultural shifts around cannabis use. Miami’s palm-lined streets and relaxed vibe are a fitting metaphor for the laid-back attitude that stoner comedies like this embody.
Miami may have inspired parts of the movie’s tone and style, reflecting the city’s ability to adapt to changing cannabis narratives. In the 2000s, cannabis was increasingly being portrayed in films not just as a taboo subject but as a substance tied to humor and camaraderie.
“The Beach Bum” (2019)
Harmony Korine’s The Beach Bum provides a more explicit depiction of marijuana’s cultural significance in Miami. Starring Matthew McConaughey as Moondog, a hedonistic poet who drifts through life in a cannabis-fueled haze, the film highlights the intersection of Miami’s carefree lifestyle with its subtropical aesthetic. As a follow-up to Korine’s revered Spring Breakers, The Beach Bum does a wonderful job of fleshing out this world and diving even deeper into the filmmaker’s vast and varied influences, all through the lens of Miami’s culture.
Cannabis in The Beach Bum serves as both a character trait and a narrative device, portraying weed strains as tools for creativity, escapism, and connection. While the film’s exaggerated characters and over-the-top scenarios may not reflect reality, they showcase the broader normalization of marijuana use in pop culture. Still, it’s worth considering that such portrayals might not always represent the full spectrum of cannabis users’ experiences.
“Square Grouper” (2011)
The documentary Square Grouper: The Godfathers of Ganja is an essential watch for a more grounded exploration of Miami’s cannabis history. The film explores the city’s role in the marijuana smuggling industry during the 1970s and 1980s, offering real-life accounts of individuals who were part of this era.
Unlike fictionalized portrayals, Square Grouper focuses on the societal and legal dynamics surrounding cannabis, particularly the complexities of smuggling and enforcement. This documentary provides valuable historical context for how Miami became associated with cannabis, highlighting how economic and legal factors shaped perceptions of marijuana. However, it also emphasizes the need for further research into the socio-economic impacts of this trade, as the documentary does not delve deeply into its long-term consequences.
The Role of Miami’s Cannabis Culture in Cinema
While Miami’s cinematic legacy includes diverse films, the city’s relationship with cannabis on screen is multifaceted. From crime dramas like Scarface to stoner comedies and documentaries, marijuana’s portrayal reflects shifting societal norms and legal landscapes.
These films may shape public perceptions of cannabis, but their impact is difficult to measure definitively. More research could explore whether cinematic portrayals influence real-world attitudes toward marijuana use and legalization.
