Reefer Riches: Timing Is Everything

"Talk about timing!" laughs TV director Cynthia Banks whose sparkling new documentary Reefer Riches premieres on CBC-TV's new series Firsthand Thursday October 29 at 9 p.m.
It just so happens that veteran director Banks (Apocalypse 2012) had been working the past year on a meticulous exploration of what the legalizing of marijuana has meant to the U.S. states of Oregon and Colorado.
And then along came a little something called the Canadian general election and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau's promise to decriminalize marijuana.
"And suddenly we have the hot button issue all covered," Banks says so the  appearance of RR right after Trudeau's election win is indeed serendipitous.
Firsthand replaces the old CBC series Doc Zone and one big difference is the absence of a series narrator --Banks narrates her own program which is right and proper.
She's also managed to stuff a heck of a lot of material into the 44-minutes. Usually TV content dictates style but expert editing gives Reefer Riches a certain speed but at no point should viewers feel rushed.
Banks isn't sure what will happen if the Canadian Parliament votes Trudeau's way.
"I know the black market aspect will disappear --much of the street stuff sold illegally is dangerous. . And don't forget the huge tax revenues that will flow into the government coffers.
"It sounds very easy to accomplish  but really the subject is quite complex."
Banks artfully shows all the problems the Canadian government must avoid iof legalization goes through.
The shock in Colorado is that a referendum on the subject passed (as a proposition) --here is one of the most conservative western states.
"Governor H was personally opposed but he went with it"--and there was no huge disaster on the ground.
Law enforcement officials say the rate of crime neither went up or down by very much.
Banks craftily personalizes the subject.
Stupid me I though people just smoked reefers.
We see how candy floss laced with marijuana is being sold over the counter. There are coffee brands laced with it.
We meet some of the emerging marijuana tycoons including Tripp Keber of Dixie Elixirs (one of he largest edibles company) .MSNBC's Pot Barons, Jamie Perino who owns a chain of marijuana dispensaries,  and Pete Williams,COO of Medicine Man.
And there's JamiePerino whose  enterprise Euflora has been dubbed "the Apple store of cannabis".

We see marijuana farmers and how they tenderly nourish their crops --I'd never seen that before.
Yes, some typical pot heads are interviewed including one lady who exemplifies all the traits of over usage.
This fascinating but balanced account should answer most questions. Banks argues forcibly for checks and balances.
Getting there first means Reefer Riches is a must see, as well constructed Banks's award winning A Hail Of Bullets.
REEFER RICHES PREMIERES ON CBC-TV'S FIRSTHAND THURSDAY OCTOBER 29 AT 9 P.M.
MY RATING: ***1/2.