I loved this documentary. I was already well aware of some of the issues raised which may have come as surprising new information to some...for example the fact that research on the medical applications and benefits of marijuana have been systematically discouraged, even banned outright so that any MD or researcher looking for facts will have to rely on foreign universities. I already knew the destructive power that even a minor drug charge decades old can have on the ability of young people to lead a normal life and have a productive career. I also have heard a number of judges, Fed agents, prison officials voice (behind closed doors and in confidence) the opinion that the rigid regulations and witch hunting practices of the drug war were counter productive, promoted corruption among law enforcement, lying on the part of informants, over aggressive prosecutions....and left thousands of peripheral, non violent participants and their families and children with ruined lives, forever marginalized. This documentary is the first time I have seen law enforcement people say clearly that they felt many of those they lured and then arrested would have become contributing members of society and productive IF they had never been arrested. For the first time, 420 lays out clearly through honest interviews the fact that a great number of those behind bars could be us or our kids...just experimenting or helping a friend or dating the wrong man. The majority are not gun toting, wild eyed narco terrorists but thanks to mandatory minimums, guidelines and a variety of "one size fits all" laws, they will serve sentences, often decades long, reserved for "kingpins". If and when they make it back to their community, they will find themselves barred from most professional employment, in practice if not by law. 420 also shows the risks that doctors run just for trying to provide patients with what they believe is the most compassionate and best care. All in all 420 manages to be a very informative and gripping film while also being entertaining and a pleasure to watch.