This week, at 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Al Jazeera America examines “A Year on Pot,” including a day in the life of Denver Post editors and reporters on The Cannabist team. The documentary is one of a growing stash of films chronicling Colorado’s legalization of recreational marijuana one year ago.
On the scale of recent journalistic explorations by CNN, CNBC, MSNBC and others, this Al Jazeera “America Tonight” effort is more critical of the state’s shift and more interested in warning of potential dangers. The Wednesday night segment in particular focuses on THC-poisoning from edibles, the rise of dabbing and resulting burns, underage weed abuse and driving under the influence. The film also makes do with lower production values.
Part 1 Tuesday looks at “Winners and Losers,” Al Jazeera America’s Lori Jane Gliha checks in with the overnight multi-millionaires like Andy Joseph who benefitted from legalization (“getting ready to break double-digit millions,” he says), and Dixie Elixirs boss Tripp Keber. On the downside, a Nebraska border police chief displays confiscated evidence from Colorado dispensaries.
Part 2 is billed as “The Very Dark Side of Legalization.” Kevin Wong, an intelligence analyst with the Rocky Mountain High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas task force, details the potential for explosions and fires from home THC extraction labs. Dr. Gordon Lindberg at the CU Hospital burn unit discusses recent cases. (It’s difficult to watch.)
Part 3, not available for preview, turns to the Denver Post and “Covering the marijuana beat,” with Cannabist editor Ricardo Baca, pot reviewer Jake Browne and parenting columnist Brittany Driver.
