Title – Evergreen: The Road to Legalizaton
Director – Riley Morton and Nils Cowan
Running time: 86 minutes, Not Rated
Available on DVD 09.15.14
Special Features: Short Film – the Future of Legialization; Q&A with Drug Policy Alliance Director Ethan Nadelmann; Extended Interviews; Call to Action Resource Guide
A documentary on the 502 Initiative , the law that will permit the growing, sale and use of cannabis in the state of Washington. There are many that oppose the law, but those whom are hoping for it to pass say it will bring forth revenue and eliminate criminalization.
The Good: This documentary was well informed and promoted a good defense in favor of legalization of recreational marijuana use.
The Bad: The documentary seems a bit one sided. Those opposed to 502 are portrayed as angry, misinformed/uneducated hippies. They’re almost like the WBC of pot smokers which is probably not how they would like to be portrayed. It made me really confused about the anti-502 group’s agenda as they kept bringing up DUI laws as their reason for opposing it. If you’re caught under the influence of any medication or substance that can alter your perception while driving, you can be charged with a DUI. It almost seemed like these anti-502’s were arguing that they should be exempt from that. That’s idiotic. You can be a functional drunk or a functional pot smoker, but it’s still illegal. The difference between the two is, you know when you’re too high to drive.
I’m all for legalization and decriminalization. Our prisons are way too crowded with people charged with possession, when Johnny Law should be more concerned with dangerous criminals like murderers, rapists and child molesters. The United States has the highest prison population than any other country where marijuana is legal. These anti 502’s need to take a step back and realize they’ve gotta crawl before they can walk. The legalization should be the foremost priority.
Total Rating: B+
Reviewed by: JM Willis
