How Weed Won the West

Filmmaker Kevin Booth takes on the subject of medical marijuana in How Weed Won the West, focusing specifically on Los Angeles, which boasts more than 1,000 dispensaries of varying repute (14 states, including California, have legalized the plant for medicinal use). Booth visits several growers and purveyors, including Jeff Joseph's Organica Collective, which faces closure when local policies change, and he examines the Drug Enforcement Agency's “smash and grab” raids, which intimidate business owners into moving or closing up shop. Speakers include former cocaine kingpin Ricky Ross, who observes that “prohibition drives the price up on everything”; Drug Policy Alliance head Ethan Nadelmann; attorney Bill Kroger, who describes marijuana as “California's largest cash crop”; and Texas talk show host and conspiracy-theory promoter Alex Jones. Booth also speaks with doctors, activists, law enforcement officials, drug counselors, and users (both medical and recreational). While the documentary tackles a worthy subject and offers occasionally enlightening information, some participants are more credible than others (scantily clad former professional wrestler Shelly Martinez, for instance, offers more sex appeal than substance), and viewers may find more persuasive arguments for decriminalization in the similarly-themed The Union: The Business Behind Getting High (VL-9/09). Optional. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)