The Union: The Business Behind Getting High
| The Union: The Business Behind Getting High | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Brett Harvey |
| Written by | Brett Harvey Adam Scorgie |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | Joe Rogan Norm Stamper Chris Bennett Tommy Chong Lester Grinspoon |
| Cinematography | Brett Harvey |
| Edited by | Stephen Green |
| Music by | Michael Champion |
| Distributed by | Netflix Phase 4 Films SuperChannel Lace Digital Media Sales Eagle Entertainment |
Release date |
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Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
The Union: The Business Behind Getting High is a 2007 documentary film by Canadian filmmaker Brett Harvey. Its theatrical run was limited to film festivals.
Synopsis
The film explores the growth, sale and trafficking of cannabis. The documentary examines the underground market by interviewing growers, police officers, criminologists, psychologists, economists, doctors, politicians and pop culture icons, revealing how the trade is booming despite being a criminal enterprise. The history of cannabis and the reasons for its present prohibition are discussed, often comparing it to the prohibition of alcohol in the United States in the 1920s, suggesting that gang drug warfare and other negative aspects associated with cannabis are a result of prohibition, not the drug itself.
The gangs that grow and traffic the drugs are likened to those that appeared in major US cities during Prohibition, with the intention of profiting from the sale of illegal alcohol. The film answers many questions about cannabis, including the purported health effects of cannabis use, the gateway drug theory, and what could happen if cannabis was legalized. The film also discusses the medicinal value of the cannabis plant and what the pharmaceutical industry stands to lose from cannabis legalization.
Release & Reception
It opened in 30 International Film Festivals beginning with the Winnipeg International Film Festival on June 8, 2007. Rotten Tomatoes movie critic, Kevin Carr, stated that "problems with “The Union” stem from the overtly biased nature of the production".[2][3] Reviews from other critics were more favorable, including a 4 star rating from AMC film critic Pete Croatto who stated "The Union is more like a fiercely intelligent personal essay. And it works.",[4] while Jason Buchanan of All Movie Guide reviewed the film and regarded it as "illuminating" and offering "fascinating insight". It was released on DVD in the US on July 28, 2009.
Awards
- Best Canadian Feature Documentary at Edmonton International Film Festival
- Outstanding Documentary Feature at Winnipeg International Film Festival
- Best Canadian Documentary at Okanagan International Film Festival
- Best Editing at Rhode Island International Film Festival
- Nominated for Leo Award for Best Overall Sound in a Documentary Program or Series, and Best Sound Editing in a Documentary Program or Series
References
- ^ http://www.dvd-covers.org/art/DVD_Covers/Movie_DVD_Scanned_Covers/The_Union_The_Business_Behind_Getting_High.jpg.html
- ^ Kevin Carr, "The Union", Review, 7M Pictures, retrieved 2012-10-09
- ^ "The Union: The Business Behind Getting High", Review, Rotten Tomatoes, retrieved 2012-10-09
- ^ The Union: The Business Behind Getting High, Filmcritic.com, 2012-10-05, retrieved 2012-10-09
