1967 TV Show Beat 'The Simpsons' On One Prediction: Marijuana Is Going To Be 'Packaged And Taxed And Sold Right Off The Shelf'

In a 1967 episode of "Dragnet" titled "The Big High," a character boldly predicted, "Marijuana is going to be like liquor, packaged and taxed and sold right off the shelf." This striking forecast not only underscored the episode's forward-thinking narrative but also highlighted how the series ventured into the future of cannabis regulation, a subject that was highly contentious at the time. The dialogue between Officer Bill Gannon and Paul Shipley, a character defending his and his wife's marijuana use, remarkably prefigured debates that would take center stage in the decades to come.

"Dragnet," known for its gritty realism and focus on factual police procedures, often tackled social issues of the day, making its exploration of marijuana use and legalization particularly notable. The series, created by Jack Webb, who also starred as Sergeant Joe Friday, was a pioneer in blending entertainment with real-life law enforcement challenges. "The Big High" episode's engagement with the topic of marijuana use was not only unusual for its time but also demonstrated an acute awareness of shifting societal attitudes.

The conversation between Gannon and Shipley delves into nuanced arguments that mirror today's discourse on drug policy, including the potential for regulation and taxation, the comparison to alcohol and the differentiation between marijuana and hard narcotics. This episode stands out as an early example of television's ability to anticipate and contribute to the public debate on contentious issues.

This prescient portrayal finds a parallel in "The Simpsons," a show renowned for its predictions of future events, including Donald Trump's presidency, cannabis legalization in California, the merger of Fox and Disney, the creation of Smart Watches and many more. Both "Dragnet" and "The Simpsons" showcase television's unique power to reflect and predict societal trends, albeit through very different lenses—one through the procedural drama of law enforcement and the other through satirical comedy.

The context in which "The Big High" was aired is crucial for understanding its impact and foresight. In 1967, the U.S. was at the height of the counterculture movement, which challenged the status quo on various fronts, including drug use. Marijuana, however, remained illegal and widely stigmatized, making the episode's discussion unusually progressive.

Fast forward to 2024, the landscape of cannabis law in the United States has transformed dramatically. Numerous states have legalized marijuana for medical and recreational use, reflecting a seismic shift in public opinion and legal frameworks. This evolution underscores the relevance of "The Big High" episode's dialogue, as it anticipated changes that many in 1967 would have deemed improbable.

"The Big High" episode of "Dragnet" not only captured a moment in the cultural and legal dialogue of the 1960s but also projected 

substantial shifts in cannabis regulation. It remains a poignant example of how television can engage with and anticipate the trajectory of societal change, reflecting the debates that would eventually lead to significant legal and cultural transformations regarding marijuana use.

Lead image created with AI