phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES JUNE 23RD– JUNE 29TH, 2022 State Licensed Dispensaries & Doctor Certifications | CANNABIS | Bong from p 43 Arizona G.I. Joe toy collectors would never view Headman the same way — which paved the way for future marijuana-related action figures, which were now represented as the “good guys.” Crowe says his vintage toy store doesn’t have the Headman toy in stock, but it is for sale on eBay for $99.99. Headman’s narcotics guard figure is on sale for $199.99. A considerable markup from its $6 price tag 30 years ago. Two weed flicks inspired toys in the 2000s: Clerks in 1994 and Mallrats in 1995. Crowe recalls they “had Jay and Silent Bob — Kevin Smith’s masterpieces about mari- juana. They’ve done a lot of action figures with them, so they’ve had some marijuana paraphernalia with them. But for Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), they did the full Bluntman and Chronic action figures to marijuana leaf throwing stars.” Bluntman and Chronic appeared in the 1997 Chasing Amy romantic comedy-drama movie, but the toys weren’t produced yet. “They are now going for $50 to $60 if they’re still in the package,” Crowe says. “Then there were both Cheech and Chong action figures,” he adds. “They were made in the ’90s to early 2000s. That’s when action figures became big and people still getting all sorts of licenses.” A block or so west of Collectors Marketplace, more toys are for sale at Trill, New Times’ 2021 Best Hip-Hop Shop. On April 30, rapper Kahlee performed at the Trill store’s third-anniversary shindig. Afterward, he wandered into the store looking for weed-inspired toys. “I’m looking for the Dr. Greenthumb Funko Pop!” he says, “I’ve been waiting on this.” In February, the Funko toy company tweeted that the 4.5-inch toy — modeled after OG-cannabis rapper B-Real from Cypress Hill — would be droppin’ soon. Kahlee, who drove into Phoenix from Southern California, says he likes B-Real’s design, but says the plant he’s holding resembling “The Little Shop of Horrors plant is wack.” “The collectibles are part of my home studio decor, creating a dope vibe — like art,” he adds. “I also have The Dude and Walter toys from The Big Lebowski film, which is one of my favorite stoner flicks.” Kahlee, who smokes pre-rolls and vapes, rapped the song “I Used To Love Her” — a spinoff of rapper Common’s song, where he raps about his off-and-on rela- tionship with Mary Jane, a.k.a marijuana. He found out later that Saturday, the Dr. Greenthumb toy would ship to Phoenix in Walmart.com “mid-June to the beginning of July; I’ll wait.” Walmart.com is pre-selling them for $15.99. “It’s crazy that Cypress Hill/B-Real has been leading the fight to legalize cannabis for decades, and now weed’s becoming so mainstream that Funko is creating a toy based on it,” Kahlee concluds. “On the same token, it’s kinda silly that even though cannabis has become mainstream, they changed Dr. Greenthumb’s plant. It’s probably more appropriate for other age groups.” The Funko Pop! Dr. Greenthumb. In the meantime, House will continue to create custom dioramas with his G.I. Joe action figures and weed and concentrate in his Peoria backyard to promote his YouTube channel. His last creation had a Destro action figure “in which Destro needs three catalytic elements to power his M.A.S.S. device,” he explains. “I made a little cube container out of construction paper and put a bud, a glass container of wax, and cellophane of shatter, in place of the three elements.” 45
