Watch Drugs as Weapons Against Us: The CIA War on Musicians and Activists

Drugs as Weapons Against Us: The CIA War on Musicians and Activists is a provocative and insightful documentary that chronicles the dark history of the US government's involvement in the drug trade and its impact on American music and activism. Directed by John Potash, the film offers a compelling argument that many of the most famous musicians and activists of the 1960s were targeted and effectively neutralized by a ruthless campaign orchestrated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Through a mix of archival footage, interviews with musicians, activists and researchers, and other sources, the film paints a vivid picture of how the CIA exploited the drug trade for political and strategic purposes during the height of the Cold War. Potash argues that the Agency saw music and activism as dangerous threats to the status quo, and set out to neutralize them through a campaign of psychological manipulation, disinformation, and covert operations.

The film focuses on a wide range of musical and activist icons, from Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley to Abbie Hoffman and Huey Newton. It argues that all of these figures were targeted by the CIA, often through their associations with shady characters in the drug trade. The documentary suggests that Hendrix was coerced into working for the Agency, while Marley was targeted for his political and social influence in Jamaica. Hoffman and Newton, according to the film, were hounded and ultimately brought down by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.

One of the most interesting aspects of Drugs as Weapons Against Us is its exploration of the links between the CIA, the drug trade, and the rise of urban street gangs in the United States. The film argues that the CIA facilitated the trade in drugs like heroin and cocaine in order to fund its covert operations, and that this led to the emergence of powerful criminal organizations like the Bloods and the Crips. This, in turn, helped to fuel the crack epidemic of the 1980s and 90s, which devastated many African American communities.

Overall, Drugs as Weapons Against Us is a chilling and eye-opening look at the murky world of US government involvement in the drug trade. Potash's arguments are supported by a wealth of historical evidence, and the film raises important questions about the limits of government power and the role of music and activism in American society. Whether or not one agrees with its conclusions, Drugs as Weapons Against Us is a thought-provoking and highly engaging documentary that is sure to generate lively debate and discussion.

Drugs as Weapons Against Us: The CIA War on Musicians and Activists is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 2 hours.