There's a great new Film about the Drug War making its debut this month. John Holowach has created a serious documentary that's lots of fun to watch. And while the title, High: the True Tale of American Marijuana gives you the starting point for this film, the overall content sneaks up on you and before you're fully aware of it, you've come to understand that the entire drug war is inescapably interconnected.


A picture named high.gif John Holowach is an accomplished film-maker who has passionate feelings about the drug war (he's been a regular at Drug WarRant). This film came about because of his realization that there was an important void to be filled. And "High" is the only documentary out there that provides a comprehensive contemporary view of drug policy reform.

Like many modern documentaries, this one is filmed with a clear point of view -- there's no doubt that the film maker believes that the drug war is a failure -- even the film's poster makes it obvious! But Holowach does it without preaching or stridency -- and balanced with quite a sense of humor.

Clocking in at a full three hours, this is no brief flirtation with the drug war. It's deep immersion. And the good news is that it moves well enough that it doesn't feel like three hours. Highly seasoned drug policy reformers may not learn a whole lot of new information, yet they'll still find the interviews fascinating. The real audience for "High" is the open-minded young person who needs to know more. It's a must-show for campus groups. It's also going to be something that drug policy reformers will want to own -- to show friends or loan out.

"High" is shot in an informal style -- lots of hand-held camera interviews in available light, interspersed with stock footage and nostalgic images. Clearly low-budget, but well researched. The writing and John Holowach's breezy narration style keep it light and entertaining.

The one thing missing? Opponents. Holowach addresses the fact that no major drug war proponent was willing to be filmed, so he found his own way to add a debate. With the permission of "The Bill Good Show" on CKNW News Talk 980, he was able to get a tape of John Walters' interview with Peter Warren, and Holowach dismantles Walters' propaganda point by point.

There are two extended segments in the film to break your heart and outrage you. One with a victim, and the father of a victim, of Straight, Inc., and another with the patients of Dr. Paul Heberle, who was targeted for practicing pain medication.

Other interviews include Keith Stroup talking about the history of the marijuana legalization movement, Ricardo Cortes talking about his marijuana book for children, Jeffrey Miron on the economics of the drug war, Lyle Craker on drug policy science, and Siobhan Reynolds on the war on pain medicine. Fascinating individuals all. And there's something incredible about a moment near the end of the film when Siobhan Reynolds simply and elegantly describes drugs:

They're things. They're not good. They're not bad. They're... stuff.