While California is going bankrupt, one business is booming. “How Weed Won the West” is the story of the growing medical cannabis / marijuana industry in the greater Los Angeles area, with over 700 dispensaries doling out the buds. As a treatment for conditions ranging from cancer and AIDS, to anxiety, ADHD, and insomnia, cannabis is quickly proving itself as a healthier natural alternative to many prescription drugs.

Following the story of Organica, a southland dispensary which was raided by state and federal agencies in August of 2009, the film shows that although much has changed with Obama in office, the drug war is nowhere near over. From Kevin Booth, the producer/director of Showtime’s “American Drug War”, “How Weed Won the West” puts California forward as an example to the rest of the country by documenting how legalizing marijuana can help save the economy.

IMDb Most Rated Review:

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.

Official Trailer:

Here is the link to full documentary uploaded to youtube:

How Weed Won The West Part 1

Many experts believe that marijuana use can lead to the use of harder drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and LSD. However, no conclusive evidence supports this direct cause-and-effect relationship. Studies in several countries, including the United States, indicate that most marijuana users never progress to other drugs.

Teenagers who do go on to use other illegal drugs typically use tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana first. In fact, it has been shown that most teens use tobacco cigarettes and alcohol—before they are of legal age—before ever using marijuana. Also, many more teens use tobacco and alcohol than use marijuana. Thus, tobacco and alcohol may be “gateways” to marijuana use, although it is still not clear whether one drug can cause an individual to start using other drugs. Also, experts point out that psychological and behavioral problems, poor relationships with parents, or drug-taking peers who approve of drug use all are much more reliable predictors of a teen’s progression to harder drugs than is the use of marijuana.