Hempsters: Plant the Seed
DVD 
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Director:
Michael Henning Actors: Woody Harrelson Willie Nelson Merle Haggard Rating:
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WHAT'S IT ABOUT?
A documentary about the fight to legalize industrialized hemp in the United States.
IS IT A GOOD MOVIE?
Hempsters: Plant the Seed gathers a number of activists, including Woody Harrelson, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Ralph Nader to make the case that hemp (a “distant cousin” of marijuana) should be legalized in the United States. It’s currently grown in around 30 countries, including Canada, Great Britain and Australia, but not the U.S. As good ol’ Woody says, “We may be brave, but we sure aren’t free.”
The government, of course, is the enemy to every pro-hempster out there. Their stance: hemp is nothing more than a shorter, cuter name for marijuana; if they’ve legalized two “drugs” already--alcohol and tobacco--where does it stop?; what about the children?!
The latter’s argument is much more compelling. Hemp, which contains far less THC than marijuana, can be used to make fibers such as rope, building materials like “hempcrete” (a form of concrete) and paper. Some cultures can make good money off of it. It can also conserve forests, contribute to the creation of biofuels and lessen the reliance on foreign oil. Isn’t it the solution?
Eco-docs are all the rage right now. But few actually leave the lifelong impression they should. And despite its best efforts with a calm self-righteousness, celebrity contribution and Jefferson/Washington/Gandhi-quoting, Hempsters will be no different.
Still, it’s a fine recruitment tool for the unaware or undecided. I’m thinking of buying a hemp sweatshirt online this week--Woody has a closet full of ‘em!
The government, of course, is the enemy to every pro-hempster out there. Their stance: hemp is nothing more than a shorter, cuter name for marijuana; if they’ve legalized two “drugs” already--alcohol and tobacco--where does it stop?; what about the children?!
The latter’s argument is much more compelling. Hemp, which contains far less THC than marijuana, can be used to make fibers such as rope, building materials like “hempcrete” (a form of concrete) and paper. Some cultures can make good money off of it. It can also conserve forests, contribute to the creation of biofuels and lessen the reliance on foreign oil. Isn’t it the solution?
Eco-docs are all the rage right now. But few actually leave the lifelong impression they should. And despite its best efforts with a calm self-righteousness, celebrity contribution and Jefferson/Washington/Gandhi-quoting, Hempsters will be no different.
Still, it’s a fine recruitment tool for the unaware or undecided. I’m thinking of buying a hemp sweatshirt online this week--Woody has a closet full of ‘em!
THE EXTRAS
10 Reasons Why (6:57): In this piece, which uses footage from the doc, several interviewees give their top reasons for supporting the legalization of industrialized hemp. This breakdown may be the best way to get your point across if you’re a supporter.
There’s also an Alternate Intro that isn’t all that different from the one used in the finished doc and the Hempsters Trailer.
There’s also an Alternate Intro that isn’t all that different from the one used in the finished doc and the Hempsters Trailer.
FINAL DIAGNOSIS
Hempsters: Plant the Seed is a fine documentary that, despite its overall poor video and audio quality, makes its case for the legalization of industrialized hemp in the United States. Supporters should rent it, take notes and, if they choose, spread the word.
