The Union: The Business Behind Getting High

Outstanding documentary; watched it again for the first time in a while tonight - this is more of a review and recommendation for those unfamiliar with the doc. "The Union," filmed and released in 2007, delved into the debate of marijuana legality in British Columbia, Canada. The main purpose of the film is to persuade law changes within the province's legislation, but filmmaker Brett Harvey brilliantly lays out the most compelling, convincing and concise argument for ubiquitous marijuana legalization, especially focusing on the relatively strict marijuana laws in the US.

The film begins with a brief history of hemp and cannabis production within the US history and the narrator explains the timeline of events that transformed hemp and cannabis from cash crop to Schedule I illegal substance. The introduction truly hooks you in and the rest of the film does not disappoint. If you have little or no knowledge of cannabis and would like to know everything significant about the plant, then this documentary is where you can start and finish. It provides a complete overview of cannabis and its connection to contemporary culture.

Harvey meticulously tackles every apparent and hidden principle of marijuana prohibition and deeply examines the dirty, gritty black market industry of illegal marijuana trade (spoiler alert: our own government heavily profits from this trade). If you are quite familiar with cannabis and feel like this documentary might just be preaching to the choir, think again. Take my word on it - not one to miss. You can find the documentary on itunes. HOWEVER, if you can't afford it or are a lazy asshole like me, you can find a spliced up version on youtube or the whole film at watch-movies.net

UPDATE: Since 2007, British Columbia has not changed its legislation concerning marijuana legality, but it is considerably more acceptable among authorities (example: see youtube video channel of MarijuanaMan). From what I have read, as long as you don't roll a fat j in front of a cop or blow smoke in a little girl's face, there is no crime.

Enjoy. Because knowledge is power.