The Life and Crimes
of howard marks
1945:
Howard Marks, christened Dennis Howard
Marks, is born and raised in the small,
coal-mining village of Kenfig Hill near
Bridgend, South Wales.
1964-70:
Marks studies physics, then history
and philosophy of science, at a range of
institutions including Oxford university.
1970-1980:
The academic life begins to lose its allure.
Marks starts dealing and is soon moving
On location:
large quantities of hashish into Europe
Rhys Ifans as Howard Marks
and America in the equipment of touring
rock bands.
He was, however, offered the opportunity to play Concerned with his kids’ wellbeing then, how did he
his own father in the film. handle the ongoing issue of drugs? Clearly there was
1988:
“I originally said yes to that, but then felt that would no getting around the fact that he was prolifically
Marks is busted by the American Drug
have too many psychological consequences so I involved with a matter that every other parent
Enforcement Agency and sentenced to
ended up with a cameo, playing a Dutch coffee shop condemns as wrong and forbidden?
25 years at America’s toughest federal
owner.” “My main concern is that they didn’t take any
penitentiary; Terre Haute, Indiana. He
He doesn’t dwell on this, and instead the impurities,” he says. “I’m just like any other straight
serves just seven.
conversation moves on to his own children, of which parent in that I worry about my kids taking dodgy
he has “four definitely, five probably.” Marks has drugs from dodgy dealers in a dodgy place. There
1995-1996:
what he describes as “a rather odd” relationship are a lot of impurities being mixed up with it these
A year on from his release, Howard’s first
with this potential fifth, whom he was introduced to days, which obviously I’m against.” book is published. Mr. Nice has been
ten years ago. Marks is a staunch campaigner for the legalisation translated into many different languages
“She said she was my child and she might well be, of cannabis; his website houses a petition currently
on the back of its success.
but I didn’t meet her until she was 42. I see her a boasting over 5000 signatures from around the
few times a year, but it’s hard to treat her like my world. The fact that it is banned, “contravenes 1997:
child because she was an adult when I met her.” I human rights, the whole idea that you can’t
Marks stands for election of the UK
ask him if he’s considered having a paternity test. take a naturally occurring substance I just don’t
Parliament in 1997, on the single issue of
“Well,” he replies. “She did want a DNA test, but I felt understand.” However, he’s certainly for greater
the legalisation of cannabis. He contested
regulation of its production. “There seemed to be
four seats at once: Norwich South (against
future Home Secretary Charles Clarke),
“
no medical evidence whatsoever up until a year ago
i’m just like any other
Norwich North, Neath and Southampton
that it caused any harm,” he says. “Now it appears
Test. The average vote was over 1%.
straight parent in that
that there is. There has been genuine concern for
the amounts of strong skunk teenagers are smoking
i worry about my kids
Also during 1997, he performed his first
and possible links with schizophrenia.”
live show, which discussed his life as a
taking dodgy drugs
Talking about the recent reclassification of cannabis
marijuana smuggler and his views on drug
from dodgy dealers in a
to category B again, he thinks – given the new use and legalisation. The shows received
evidence – that it’s “fair enough.” However, if the
excellent reviews throughout the national
dodgy place
”
‘dodgy’ element of it all were to disappear, there’d
press, and his now legendary one-man
be no reason for it, he says. “It’d all be pure.” And
comedy show, An Audience With Mr Nice,
therefore safer? “Yes.”
continues to sell out at venues throughout
Britain and Europe.
it best not to in case she wasn’t mine and it would be a There’s no doubt that Marks’ life has been a
disappointment to her.” Fair enough, having a father as colourful one, and that it was inevitable that it
legendary as Howard Marks is certainly a talking-point. would eventually make it to the big screen. However,
2001:
However, Marks’ youngest is 22, which, if you do the he’s apprehensive. “I’m looking forward to it,” he
Howard compiles an anthology called The
Howard Marks Book Of Dope Stories
maths, means his kids bore the brunt of a dad in jail says. “But seeing it all played out will probably be
(Vintage, 2001) and a follow-on from his
at a very young age. “There was no dishonesty as deeply disturbing.”
autobiography, Señor Nice: Straight Life
such,” he says, when I ask him how he dealt with the
From Wales To South America.
‘situation’ as a father. “I did keep things from Howard Marks will be appearing in
them when they were very young though, does conversation with Rhys Ifans at Laugharne
2009:
that count as dishonesty? I suppose it does. But I Weekend Festival (see page 8) on Sun 5 April
Filming begins on Mr Nice, the film of
didn’t want to entrust them with any secrets that at Millennium Hall. Tickets: £6. Info: www.
Marks’ life, due for release later in the year.
would get me busted!”
homepage.ntlworld.com/johnwilliams/index
BUZZ 0
april 2009.indd 7 26/3/09 2:45:04 pm
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