Watch The Business of Drugs

The Business of Drugs is a six-episode documentary series on Netflix that explores the complex and often murky world of the global drug trade. The host and executive producer of the series is Amaryllis Fox, a former CIA agent who specialized in counterterrorism and intelligence gathering. Throughout the series, she sits down with a variety of experts, including academics, law enforcement officials, drug policy activists, and drug dealers themselves, to gain a deeper understanding of the inner workings of the worldwide drug business.

The series is structured around six different types of drugs: cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, synthetic drugs, and opioids. Each episode delves into the history and current state of a particular drug, examining how it is produced and distributed, the impact it has on users and communities, and the political and economic forces that shape its trade. Along the way, the series tackles a range of complex issues, such as drug legalization, the war on drugs, cartel violence, and the role of Big Pharma in the opioid crisis.

One of the standout episodes of the series is devoted to heroin, which explores the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic in the United States. Fox travels to the epicenter of the crisis in West Virginia, where she talks to families who have lost loved ones to overdose and meets with first responders who are grappling with the influx of overdoses. She also speaks to Dr. Yasmin Hurd, a neuroscientist who is working to develop new treatments for addiction, and visits a harm reduction clinic where drug users can safely inject under medical supervision.

Another compelling episode focuses on cannabis, examining how the legalization of the drug has played out in different parts of the world. Fox speaks with entrepreneurs who are making millions in the legal cannabis industry in the US, but also with activists who are pushing for legalization in other countries where drug laws are much more strict. She also travels to Morocco, where cannabis has been a major part of the economy for centuries, and meets with farmers who are struggling to adapt to changing attitudes toward the drug.

Throughout the series, the interviews with drug dealers themselves are some of the most fascinating and revealing moments. Fox speaks with a former methamphetamine cook in the US who describes the chemical process of making the drug and the backbreaking work involved. She also meets with a cocaine smuggler in Colombia who discusses the risks and rewards of the trade, and a synthetic drug dealer in China who explains the different underground markets that exist for different types of drugs.

One of the key takeaways from the series is that the drug trade is an incredibly complex and multifaceted business that cannot be reduced to simplistic solutions or slogans. The show does not shy away from the difficult and uncomfortable questions that arise when thinking about drug policy and drug use, and instead encourages viewers to engage with these issues in a more nuanced way. Whether you are a policy wonk or just someone who enjoys thought-provoking documentaries, The Business of Drugs is a must-watch series that is sure to challenge your assumptions and expand your horizons.

The Business of Drugs is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between July 14, 2020 and on Netflix