Pubdate: Thu, 01 Feb 2007
Source: Gauntlet, The (CN AB Edu)
Copyright: 2007 Gauntlet Publications Society.
Contact:  http://gauntlet.ucalgary.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2652
Author: Dave Haney
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

WEED, MAN

Books about the Canadian marijuana industry tend to be written by 
stoners and usually proceed as follows: pot is good, cops are bad; 
legalize it. In other words, they lack relevant discussion, are 
biased, and often based on fantasy versus fact. Ian Mulgrew has 
written a book about the industry that, for once, is actually about it.

Bud Inc. is a well-penned detail of Canada's marijuana industry 
grounded in cold, harsh reality. Described from a socio-economic 
perspective, it's a definitive crash-course in the industry instead 
of propaganda promoting it. Mulgrew draws a vivid picture of 
marijuana's role in the current economy, and explains clearly how 
things would change were legalization to take place, without making 
any judgments on it.

The argument for legalization and the effect it would have on the 
future of the Canadian economy dominates the discussion. The usual 
conclusion is made that organized crime will be denied millions of 
dollars of funding. While this deduction has been heard before, 
Mulgrew's careful proposal of it in light of other supporting factors 
for legalization is well-received. He explains legalization will 
eliminate the currently unchecked middleman in delivering product 
safely to the consumer, among other things.

In another pleasant change of pace, Mulgrew depicts major players in 
the industry for what they really are. Instead of describing 
righteous victims he details how their lives revolve around the 
marijuana industry and how legalization would impact them economically.

A self-proclaimed stoner, Mulgrew describes his personal habits at 
various parts of the book. Despite delving off-topic, these sections 
depict him as a first-person participant, oddly furthering his credibility.

Mulgrew loses some of this hard-wrought integrity during his 
discussion of American prisons as dungeons where busted dealers rot, 
describing the authorities as apathetic and incompetent. These 
accusations and arguments are unfounded and childish for a book that 
is otherwise professional and relevant.

Overall, Bud Inc. is an excellent and fresh depiction of Canada's 
marijuana industry--something rarely found in a book written by a 
stoner. The progression is clear and discussion is typically 
relevant. This is a definite read for the stoner with economic or 
political interests, and a good read for those who want to know about 
legalization's potential benefits and consequences.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman