The Union: The Business Behind Getting High (2007)

BC's illegal marijuana trade industry has evolved into a business giant, dubbed by some involved as 'The Union', Commanding upwards of $7 billion Canadian annually. With up to 85% of 'BC ... See full summary »

Director:

Brett Harvey

Writers:

Brett Harvey, Adam Scorgie

Stars:

Adam Scorgie, Chris Bennett, Steve Bloom

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Adam Scorgie	...	Himself - Host
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Chris Bennett	...	Himself - Author & Former 'Pot TV' Manager
Steve Bloom	...	Himself - Former Editor, High Times
Renee Bojee	...	Herself - Activist
Neil Boyd	...	Himself - Professor of Criminology, Simon Fraser University
George Bush	...	Himself (archive footage)
George W. Bush	...	Himself (archive footage)
Larry Campbell	...	Himself - Mayor of Vancouver, 2002-2005 (as Senator Larry Campbell)
Rielle Capler	...	Herself - Policy Analyst - BC Compassion Club Society
Tommy Chong	...	Himself - Comedian
Jack A. Cole	...	Himself - Director of LEAP and Former Undercover Narcotics Agent
John Conroy	...	Himself - Criminal Defense Lawyer
Greg Cooper	...	Himself - Multiple Sclerosis & Ataxia Sufferer
Stephen Easton	...	Himself - Professor of Economics, Simon Fraser University
Marc Emery	...	Himself - Seed Retailer & Activist

Storyline

BC's illegal marijuana trade industry has evolved into a business giant, dubbed by some involved as 'The Union', Commanding upwards of $7 billion Canadian annually. With up to 85% of 'BC Bud' being exported to the United States, the trade has become an international issue. Follow filmmaker Adam Scorgie as he demystifies the underground market and brings to light how an industry can function while remaining illegal. Through growers, police officers, criminologists, economists, doctors, politicians and pop culture icons, Scorgie examines the cause and effect nature of the business - an industry that may be profiting more by being illegal.

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Plot Keywords:

business | cannabis | marijuana | government | interview | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 June 2007 (Canada)

Filming Locations:

Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Score G Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Herself - Pot Baker & Comedian: $400 million is spent in Canada arresting and prosecuting marijuana crimes. The total budget in Canada for all drugs is $500 million. That means four-fifths of the drug budget goes towards arresting and prosecuting marijuana users, leaving one-fifth for crack, heroin, coke, crystal meth, the date rape drug - whatever.

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Connections

Features Reefer Madness (1936)

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Soundtracks

"Bad Nose"
By Zubotta
Written by Jesse Zubot
© Drip Audio
www.dripaudio.com

User Reviews

Warning: The Following Film Contains Dangerous Truths and Will Lead to Rational Thinking and Outrage.

There are a variety of excellent films available that expose the idiocy, lies, hysteria and underlying self-serving and enormously profitable financial motivations behind drug prohibition in America, specifically the current War on Drugs, of which marijuana is the prime target. This is one of the best as it is one of the most comprehensive as well as nicely edited and thoughtfully produced.

This is not a stoner film, a statement of "I have a right to get to stoned and no one should infringe on this in and of itself", even though this is a perfectly valid argument if you believe at all in real freedom and the US Constitution. Rather, this is a documentary that exposes the horrific, astronomical price the US pays to continue the current marijuana prohibition.

Sadly, this film will be, for the most part, preaching to the choir. Few who have opposing views will watch it and be swayed to examine the fallacies within their belief system. Not because of the presentation or production value of the statements within the film, but rather man and woman's ability to continue to believe the most ridiculous and destructive foolishness regardless of the amount of overwhelming logic and reality that contradicts their beliefs. The billions of those who feverishly practice religions of intolerance and other faith/magic based beliefs as well as many of the horrific conditions in America presently, such as the record setting Prisons for Profit system and other tragedies are ample proof as to the idiotic self and other destructive nature of so-called humanity.

Watch this film anyhow, whether it outrages you or just is another piece of evidence as further proof of man's and woman's squandered opportunity to have a great society. It is quite well done and will provide you food for thought, that is if you dare to think.