Pressure Drop 1994

The controversial comedy features Morris Potashner, the little old Jewish grandpa who refuses to have the operation for his glaucoma-induced eye pressure and opts for a rather lesser known treatment: marijuana. Much to the chagrin of Ida, his wife of fifty years, Morris attends an established New York City "outpatient self-help clinic" which turns out to be a multicultural senior citizens' pot den. Within the den's lush jungle of lava lamps, power-bongs, hippie tapestries and four insanely stoned-out seniors, Morris discovers that getting old isn't quite as easy as getting high. Eighteen film festivals and a Warner Bros. Pictures Film Production Award later, the eighteen minute movie has emerged a cult favorite at college dorms, office parties and senior citizen centers across the US and Canada. Young and old alike can't help but take note of the lovable Morris Potashner and his medical-marijuana-puffing entourage at the Pressure Drop Club.—Ezra Soiferman / Marc Ostrick