The Union: The Business Behind Getting High

According to The Union, the U.S. government encouraged farmers during the 1700s to grow cannabis for hemp, a resilient fiber that can be used to produce paper and pain medication, among other goods. By the early 20th century, however, cannabis—also the source for marijuana—had fallen out of favor, and has remained illegal in America for over 70 years. Canadian director Brett Harvey's The Union takes a look at British Columbia's illegal marijuana trade industry (which exports 85% of its buds to the U.S.), while also trying to determine why smoking pot remains a crime. Harvey's research uncovers no evidence that the drug causes irreparable medical harm (noting that a widely circulated study from the Reagan era—claiming that pot destroys brain cells—has since been discredited). Unlike nicotine, marijuana doesn't cause cancer or emphysema (Harvard Medical School professor emeritus Dr. Lester Grinspoon claims that marijuana has never caused a single death). With the aid of other legal and scientific experts, Harvey also dismisses some of the other reasons behind the banning of marijuana—including the gateway theory and loss of productivity (but let's be honest—users may snack more). Harvey compares the illegality of marijuana with the prohibition against alcohol, suggesting that growers and dealers—like the bootleggers and speakeasy operators before them—favor continued criminalization, otherwise they'd be out of work. Many in B.C. consider themselves part of an unofficial “union” (hence the film title) in a business that earns some $7 billion in Canada annually. Clips from vintage educational films, along with interviews of colorful characters such as Tommy Chong and Watermelon Girl (a Canadian cooking show host) add a light touch to a controversial subject. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)