Let Our People Grow: Testimonials on Medicinal Marijuana

An unabashedly pro-use propaganda piece on the medicinal uses of marijuana, Let Our People Grow will do little more than harden the opinions of those opposed to the idea of using pot to relieve chronic pain. The video is technically unappealing; the sound quality, in particular, is low-grade and difficult to comprehend. People speak­ing at public meetings sound muffled and background noises (usually demonstrators practicing decibel democracy) muffle what people are trying to say at microphones. There is one point during an interview with a marijuana user when the sound com­pletely disappears, but there seems to be no problem in picking up with clarity the unnecessary obscenities that may give some librarians reason to question placing this film in their collec­tions. Video producer Suzanne Girot has attempted to give reasons why terminally ill people need marijuana to ease their pain, but she has not presented the rational testimony of doctors or other health professionals. Instead, her subjects yell and curse their beliefs, making this video seem more like a flashback to the 60's than a serious attempt to address a sensitive issue. A hot topic like this deserves better treatment, but despite a dearth of materials, I can't recommend this video. Aud: C, P. (J. Carlson)