Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Baseline and Abstinence
The documentary opens with comprehensive health screenings to establish a physiological baseline. Benson then commits to a strict thirty-day period of complete cannabis abstinence to reset his system and prepare for the experiment.
Key Events
-
Baseline Health Screening — Comprehensive physical and mental health tests establish a pre-experiment baseline.
Location: Medical Facility
-
Abstinence Protocol Initiation — Benson commits to a strict thirty-day period of complete cannabis avoidance.
Location: Residence
-
Sobriety Monitoring Phase — Ongoing documentation of physical and mental states during the cleansing period.
Location: Daily Environment
-
Abstinence Period Conclusion — The thirty-day abstinence phase ends, marking the transition to the consumption phase.
Location: Medical Facility
The Consumption Experiment
Benson transitions into a rigorous thirty-day regimen of daily cannabis smoking and ingestion. The film tracks his daily routine, lifestyle adjustments, and ongoing physiological monitoring throughout this intensive phase.
Key Events
-
Abstinence Period Conclusion — The thirty-day abstinence phase ends, marking the transition to the consumption phase.
Location: Medical Facility
-
Daily Cannabis Consumption Begins — Benson starts smoking and ingesting cannabis every single day for the next month.
Location: Residence
-
Routine Integration Phase — The daily regimen becomes a normalized part of Benson's lifestyle and habits.
Location: Daily Environment
-
Continuous Use Tracking — Ongoing monitoring of physiological responses and behavioral changes during heavy use.
Location: Residence
-
Lifestyle Adjustment Documentation — Filming captures how cannabis consumption alters daily routines and social interactions.
Location: Various Locations
-
Consumption Phase Completion — The thirty-day daily consumption period concludes, preparing for clinical evaluation.
Location: Residence
Clinical Evaluation and Data Analysis
Following the consumption period, Benson undergoes extensive physical, cognitive, and reproductive health tests. Medical professionals and researchers analyze the collected data to determine the physiological impact of prolonged use.
Key Events
-
Consumption Phase Completion — The thirty-day daily consumption period concludes, preparing for clinical evaluation.
Location: Residence
-
Post-Experiment Physical Testing — Comprehensive medical examinations assess physical changes after prolonged cannabis use.
Location: Medical Facility
-
Physician Data Analysis — Medical professionals review test results to determine physiological impacts.
Location: Medical Office
-
Cognitive Performance Assessment — Benson undergoes mental mathematics and academic evaluations to measure cognitive shifts.
Location: Testing Center
-
Academic Score Evaluation — Analysis reveals an overall SAT score increase, primarily driven by verbal improvements.
Location: Testing Center
-
Reproductive Health Check — Medical testing shows an unexpected increase in sperm count contrary to common studies.
Location: Medical Facility
Expert Perspectives and Final Verdict
The narrative expands to include interviews with activists, politicians, and patients discussing the medical cannabis movement. The film concludes with the physician's final health assessment and Benson's personal reflections on his tolerance levels.
Key Events
-
Reproductive Health Check — Medical testing shows an unexpected increase in sperm count contrary to common studies.
Location: Medical Facility
-
Expert Activist Interviews — Discussions with marijuana activists and patients highlight the medical cannabis movement.
Location: Interview Settings
-
Political & Dispensary Perspectives — Interviews with politicians and dispensary owners explore regulatory and commercial aspects.
Location: Various Locations
-
Final Health Verdict Delivery — The physician concludes that cannabis effects on Benson's health were generally inconsequential.
Location: Medical Office
-
Subject Tolerance Realization — Benson expresses surprise at developing no aversion to the drug after continuous use.
Location: Residence
-
Documentary Conclusion Summary — The experiment's findings are synthesized into a cohesive documentary narrative.
Location: Narrative Space
-
Credit Dedication Sequence — End credits honor Michelle Benjamin, a filmmaker friend lost in a traffic accident.
Location: Screen
-
Release Date Announcement — The film's official release date of April 20, 2008, is highlighted.
Location: Distribution Context
-
Medical Consensus Presentation — Weight gain and decreased mental math ability are noted as the primary undesirable changes.
Location: Medical Office
Determined to find out the true effects of marijuana on the human body, stand-up comedian and former Stoner of the Year Doug Benson documents his experience avoiding pot for 30 days and then consuming massive amounts of the drug for 30 days. More than just an amusing story of one man's quest to get superhigh, this documentary also examines the hotly contested debate over medical marijuana use.