"This incisive documentary examines the arguments and agendas of both those who support and those who oppose the legalization of marijuana."
This is the tagline that was included on Netflix but one that is quite far from the truth. There is no shortage of documentaries supporting the legalisation of marijuana and many become quite tiresome with their bias. The idea of one that examines both arguments in support and opposition seemed like it could be worth a watch, working around the one-sidedness in both sides' arguments. Unfortunately this documentary was far from its tagline. It in no way attempted to provide a two-sided arguments with those opposing legalisation only appearing in order to display their ridiculousness. There are reasons both to legalise and to continue prohibition and until a documentary examines both sides of the arguments it will always fall short. A documentary cannot possibly claim to be unbiased when the only people interviewed are pro-legalisation people of varying power along with known marijuana advocate celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa and, Mr. Legalise Everything, Joe Rogen. We are treated to brief clips from the likes of Ronald Reagan, Barbara Bush and Richard Nixon but only to display their apparent idiocy. Where are the moderates who still oppose legalisation? These people, despite what the documentary would have you believe, do actually exist. Where is the truth about the dangers of inhaling smoke, whether from tobacco or marijuana? Where is the trouble that young people get into through marijuana and the lethargy it induces? This last point is not one that is purely down to the illegality of marijuana but is one that is far too often ignored and the increase in young people accessing marijuana would rise hugely if it was legalised, just look at the number of young people who abuse alcohol and cigarettes for a comparison. It does get a brief mention but not enough emphasis is put on this and the way in which these issues would be better addressed after legalisation, it is just assumed that they would be.
In saying all this, the documentary does outline some strong points for legalisation and outlines the thinking behind some of the policy makers decisions to keep it illegal.
The annoying voice-over echoes that of Zeitgeist, another highly propaganda filled documentary, and the Kony 2012 promotional campaign video. It is perhaps the all-knowing superior tone but it does little but put a person off with its condescending tone. Contrary to the narrators' beliefs everyone else out there is not less intelligent.
Style-wise this was a strong documentary with its use of stock footage, interviews and original shots echoing such directors as Errol Morris.
Overall an entertaining watch but far from anything but pro- legalisation propaganda with a narrow spectrum of talking heads.
This is the tagline that was included on Netflix but one that is quite far from the truth. There is no shortage of documentaries supporting the legalisation of marijuana and many become quite tiresome with their bias. The idea of one that examines both arguments in support and opposition seemed like it could be worth a watch, working around the one-sidedness in both sides' arguments. Unfortunately this documentary was far from its tagline. It in no way attempted to provide a two-sided arguments with those opposing legalisation only appearing in order to display their ridiculousness. There are reasons both to legalise and to continue prohibition and until a documentary examines both sides of the arguments it will always fall short. A documentary cannot possibly claim to be unbiased when the only people interviewed are pro-legalisation people of varying power along with known marijuana advocate celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa and, Mr. Legalise Everything, Joe Rogen. We are treated to brief clips from the likes of Ronald Reagan, Barbara Bush and Richard Nixon but only to display their apparent idiocy. Where are the moderates who still oppose legalisation? These people, despite what the documentary would have you believe, do actually exist. Where is the truth about the dangers of inhaling smoke, whether from tobacco or marijuana? Where is the trouble that young people get into through marijuana and the lethargy it induces? This last point is not one that is purely down to the illegality of marijuana but is one that is far too often ignored and the increase in young people accessing marijuana would rise hugely if it was legalised, just look at the number of young people who abuse alcohol and cigarettes for a comparison. It does get a brief mention but not enough emphasis is put on this and the way in which these issues would be better addressed after legalisation, it is just assumed that they would be.
In saying all this, the documentary does outline some strong points for legalisation and outlines the thinking behind some of the policy makers decisions to keep it illegal.
The annoying voice-over echoes that of Zeitgeist, another highly propaganda filled documentary, and the Kony 2012 promotional campaign video. It is perhaps the all-knowing superior tone but it does little but put a person off with its condescending tone. Contrary to the narrators' beliefs everyone else out there is not less intelligent.
Style-wise this was a strong documentary with its use of stock footage, interviews and original shots echoing such directors as Errol Morris.
Overall an entertaining watch but far from anything but pro- legalisation propaganda with a narrow spectrum of talking heads.