How Weed Won the West (2010)

Wow! Such a good movie.

Some things I liked some I did not.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Since this is not the directors first piece I wonder how he can put out this disaster of a documentary. The editing, shaky camera-work use of music and storytelling is the worst I have ever seen and remind me of bad school projects. Technically everything is a mess here... even the lower thirds are irritating. I also was constantly reminded of the Family Guy Episode where Lois and Peter make music on weed and think its cool while everybody else is annoyed of the display of lack of talent. It just fits this "documentary" on many levels.As for the content... Its hard to concentrate with the irritating editing that seems to put random shaky pictures of bad footage in a hectic music video fashion on top of an off-speaker who is as annoying as most of the people interviews here. Its hard to feel sympathy with most of the people appearing in this documentary from the messed up stoner's to Alex Jones who delivers some painfully staged statements in his typical "He who screams loudest wins" fashion. Honestly if this movie achieves anything it makes you wonder if legalizing weed is really the right thing to do, although you were 100% sure its right before watching this. This movie screams "Drugs are bad" at you while talking about the opposite.There are loads of interesting and well done documentaries on this subject but this is a totally incoherent mess ... its a shame someone puts out such atrocious work after 20 years of work as a director and editor. Most of the comments here must be written by people involved in this production because this documentary fails on every level like usually only beginners do, so I can't possible think why anyone would rate this higher than 3 stars. Stay away!

This is what you get when you scoop the bottom of the smokers barrel and get them to make a pro marijuana documentary.Let me just say these are the people the conservative types are afraid we'll become if MJ is legalized. The majority of the first half focuses on a dispensary that has been recently raided. The owner is outraged that all his inventory has been stolen and his place of business ransacked. Obviously anyone in the owners shoes would be distraught and would bring this to the courts, but what we later learn is said owner had previously been raided and decided to reopen to "stick it to the man". So with no leg to stand on legally, the lawyers basically laugh in his face or give him awkward looks while he rambles on about freedom. The footage is very awkward to watch, his moments make the people around him uncomfortable as well as the viewer.I struggled to take anyone seriously in this documentary. Seriously, a priest that smokes weed with his loser looking friends, then films a little skit with some old woman which results in him jumping her.If anything this film made me question why I smoke. I don't want to end up being 40, rambling on uncontrollable or being a douche bag priest that wears baggy cheap suits to be cool. (IT WASN'T COOL IN THE 90s, ITS NOT COOL NOW.) I'd suggest to anyone who smokes looking for a documentary, that brings new evidence to the case of legalizing our beloved drug, to steer clear of this piece of dog .

I had to take a little time to rereview this film as I know several of the peeps in it and it is a subject close to my heart (lungs). So if this were just a random film about something I cared nothing about I would still be super impressed and moved by the film-making and storyline. The weaving of stories from Jeff and his dog Scabs and Craig X to the Mexican guys in NorCal growing and the wrestler recouping from her issues is flawless and entertaining. The music is hip and flows well and Kevins first hand involvement and narration is easy to follow and connect with. What really touched me was the Alex Jones commentaries sprinkled throughout giving the Cali Herb issue national and global significance, putting the issue in perspective for many outside the ganja scene. Please see this film and show it to anyone you know who dosen't "get it" about "Hemp Saving the Planet", because it can and this is how it begins. There are many light, funny moments in this flick but it is a serious look at one of the premier issues of our day. Good job Kevin!

Not a weed consumer myself anymore, but this film definitely opens anyone's eyes concerning the detrimental economic, social and human ramifications created by marijuana prohibition. This film is a must-see as it destined to become an icon of the marijuana anti-prohibition movement. It takes the viewer through a journey of real life stories involving the relatively new California legal marijuana industry. It does not focus strictly on the medicinal value of marijuana, but the widespread responsible consumption of marijuana for personal recreation and mood enhancement as well. While there are many light and entertaining moments which are implied by a somewhat playful title, the subject matter and the production values of this film give it a serious and mainstream position in documentary film history.