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Tommy Chong, Joe Rogan, Chris Bennett, George W. Bush, Larry Campbell ... see more see more... , Rielle Capler

The winner of the "Best Documentary" award at the 2007 Winnipeg International Film Festival, Brett Harvey's illuminating examination of the British Columbia's rapidly expanding marijuana industry offe... read more read more...rs fascinating insight into the incredibly lucrative business of growing and distributing a drug that, despite being illegal, continues to flourish. Interviews with everyone from politicians, policemen, and doctors to growers, clippers, and pop culture icons highlight the enormous profits to be made in the marijuana trade while an investigation into who profits most from the status quo. Additionally, a closer inspection of the anti-marijuana lobby reveals some unexpected details about not only the health risks that users face, but the agricultural, societal, and economic benefits of growing hemp as well. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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91% liked it

1,424 ratings

Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Brett Harvey

Release Date: June 8, 2007

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DVD Release Date: July 28, 2009

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Flixster Reviews (233)

  • DrBenway
    April 2, 2010
    DrBenway
    From a technical perspective, this documentary was done really well. It had great editing, it was entertaining, very informative and the interviews offer solid arguments. Was also glad it showed the pros and cons of legalizing versus decriminalizing. Although the argument aga... read moreinst either is pretty weak when numbers are shown for deaths caused by alcohol and cigarettes, it could've gone an extra step and interviewed those for the prohibition of marijuana, so as not to appear as one-sided. As adults, you should be able to make up your own mind.

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  • gator681
    August 14, 2010
    gator681
    While some of the arguments for the legalization of marijuana might seem familiar to anyone who has listened to Bill Hicks(Hicks to his credit also gave a thoroughly logical alternate origin for Republicans), there is still much to appreciate in "The Union: The Business Behind G... read moreetting High" in how it states its arguments that also include the benefits of marijuana and hemp, compared to the harm that tobacco and alcohol do, which are sometimes wrongly grouped in together. That is not to mention marijuana as a cash crop and the potential to bring in billions of tax dollars which could be used to subsidize health care, mass transit, you name it. Well, you could say this documentary is one-sided but when you consider the hysterical shouting condemning pot that has been done over the decades, some clear-headed testimony from experts in the field and a couple of growers(said growers are against legalization) is very refreshing to say the least.

    The documentary is especially engaging when it stays close to home in British Colombia where illegal grow-ops are a thriving business, detailing the business side and showing what part of the plant needs to be harvested which I probably should not know. Oh well. In fact, the situation is largely tolerant as the police do not interfere with two pro-marijuana rallies. Having just been there last year, I am shocked, shocked I say at this. Really, no. But the United States government is, threatening to lock up two Canadian citizens for selling marijuana seeds on the internet in an American jail for a good long time. And it is not just Canada American authorities are concerned with, as they are also worried about Mexico legalizing possession of small amounts of drugs.
  • natedoggs87
    November 4, 2010
    natedoggs87
    This movie was awesome. It is a small step in getting the people to see what "we the Union" have know all along. This moive hit alot of good points only missed on some areas, but is easy to do seeing how it is so vast. But they dident hit the tourism that would go up in our count... read morery also bringing in millions of dollars. Also useing the slaes tax from beer and tobacoo to help fund the helthcare system in America. Also lowering tax that we the tax payers pay for this helthcare system. I say its time for a change. We the people have had alot of changes over the course of histroy. We America need to get our heads out of our asses, and see the facts for what they are.
  • jam233
    July 24, 2009
    jam233
    Very well researched documentary, although it is very one sided. Still, it makes many very good points. I am in favor of marijuana legalization but this film goes a bit to the extreme in defense of it's harmless effects. Good editing.

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Critic Reviews

Kevin Carr
March 2, 2011
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures

my problems with The Union stem from the overtly biased nature of the production... The Union is also its own worst enemy. Full Review

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