Product Details

• Actors: Joe Rogan, Tommy Chong
• Directors: Brett Harvey
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Peace Arch Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: July 28, 2009
• Run Time: 104 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0025XUTKQ
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,891 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #26 in	Movies & TV > Documentary > Politics
  #36 in	Movies & TV > Documentary > Independently Distributed
  #55 in	Movies & TV > Documentary > Science & Technology

• For more information about "The Union: The Business Behind Getting High" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Follow filmmaker Adam Scorgie as he demystifies the underground market and brings to light how the marijuana 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars for advocates and naysayers alike, August 8, 2009

By	Justin Withem "lockealike" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Cannabis culture, particularly in the medium of film, tends to unintentionally parody and belittle itself by excessively glamorizing the drug and perpetuating stereotypes about its users, but this documentary provides a serious platform for intelligent, well-spoken advocates of legalization to make logical (and not easily refutable) points against the U.S. and Canada's present drug policies.

I'd never expect a film to change a true skeptic's mind, nor would I ever force my beliefs on anyone resistant to them...but if ever a skeptic were curious to hear the pro-legalization side of the marijuana debate, I'd recommend this film. It's a succinct, comprehensive, powerful (but not too preachy) rundown of all the best arguments in favor of what is, in millions of people's opinions, an unfairly vilified substance.

(Also, it's worth mentioning that Amazon may be doing the film a disservice by listing Tommy Chong and Joe Rogan as its stars. Each has less than three minutes of screen time, and both are immensely composed and well-spoken compared to their appearances in dumb stoner comedies and inane reality television, respectively. Rogan, in fact, cements his credibility in this film by practically apologizing for having hosted "Fear Factor".)

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's about time..., August 6, 2009

By	zander (Earth) - See all my reviews

I grew up behind the orange curtain, southern california. I was raised with a very conservative view about drugs and almost got into a fight with my best friend for giving my girlfriend a hit off a joint. In the meantime I was the guy coming to the party with a 12 pack of beer, then driving home. As I started from these humble "anti-(illegal)drug" years, I expanded my world, began traveling and learning the truth about cannabis. I have been initiated into many spiritual practices as ganja as the focal point. You would be correct in saying that almost every religion or form of spirituality has its roots in cannabis. Yes, even Jesus enjoyed his herbal remedies. Today I am a registered Minister of Cannabis.

Why are the most damaging drugs to humans legal and even prescribed to us?
Why are the healing medicines demonized and made illegal?

This is the best documentary I have seen on the issue of cannabis. Why is it illegal? Who benefits from having a war on a plant? My dad is a sponsor of the DARE program and feels that anyone using "marijuana" should be in jail. Jail is not for any human, animal, plant, nor any other form of life, it does NOT work and the system is beyond barbaric. The fact that US has more jails than any country tells us how crazy we have become. It's time for us to change the game. We create our government and the amount of control we will submit to. This documentary will greatly help those who know a little bit about the story, and hopefully open up the parachute for those who are willing to question their upbringing to find out why things are the way the are...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life and view changing documentary!, August 5, 2009

By	Knoxer - See all my reviews

Before watching The Union my views on marijuana were ok with it, but thought it was still a bad thing to do. After watching this beautiful piece of art I am now a full on Marijuana supporter. This documentary is something that should be shown in today's schools, but sadly they are doing the opposite and lying to our children about this plant. Anyone that dislikes marijuana should really look at this film I guarantee that it will change your outlook on it and the people that use it. So yes I encourage everyone to go and watch this film if you don't want to buy it there are places online to watch it, but I would highly recommend supporting the makers of this film by spending a little cash on it.