Discovery Channel Faces Lawsuit Over 'Weed Wars'

Hmm. Of all the possible legal entanglements inherently risked in producing a show about California marijuana dispensaries, this was oddly not likely the one anybody first suspected.

Discovery Communications now faces litigation surrounding its documentary series "Weed Wars" from a woman claiming the network stole her concept, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Kylie Krabbe filed suit Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court claiming that she won the right in a 2010 pitch session to bring her reality series concept about the trials and tribulations of running a Santa Barbara medical marijuana dispensary to Discovery Channel brass.

The difference being, her show was to be called "Greener Pastures." She had secured the cooperation of the Santa Barbara business' management. She even registered the pitch with the Writers Guild of America.

According to Krabbe's suit, Discovery Channel execs seemed like they were taking the bait, but balked and eventually deemed the concept too "edgy." If these facts all hold up, imagine Krabbe's surprise when Discovery picked up current producer Chuck Braverman, rebranded the show "Weed Wars," set it amid an Oakland dispensary and premiered the show Dec. 1. She's now seeking breach of implied contract damages.

Discovery Channel representatives apparently told THR that the network's policy is not to comment on pending litigation.

Huh. To think, Discovery Communications probably had good attorneys on stand-by in the event of federal subpoenas demanding their cooperation in a drug case - a recent episode did depict a father giving his five-year-old son medical marijuana to try to calm his seizures - when all they really probably needed was just somebody well-versed in copyright law.