Since February of 2015, recreational cannabis has been legal in Washington D.C. But without legal recreational sales, the city remains in a unique limbo unlike any other marijuana state. Under these circumstances, these past three years have given light to a subculture of creative cannabis entrepreneurs who are pushing the envelope by testing the limits of legalization under Initiative 71.
Lawlessness at its best
The grey area in D.C. has been covered by local niche outlets and mainstream news outlets such as The Washington Post and CNN, to name a few. From the 51-foot inflatable joint that made some high profile appearances at The White House and the Democratic National Convention to the relentless legalization protests in front of The White House, D.C. is a hotbed for the voices long unheard to rally for change.
One video journalist, Stephen Barber, has followed the movement in D.C. from inception with his video camera. You can see a Marijuana Times video he recently produced, Cannabis & Tech Meet in DC with ENail Company BP Errl.
“As we enter our third year of freedom I want to bring all of this footage together into a feature length documentary film,” said executive producer Stephen Barber. His work in progress is to be called Capital Of Cannabis: The Rise of Legal Marijuana in Washington D.C. and he says it “will bring a truly comprehensive inside look at the East Coast’s first foray with legalization.”
Much of the video that will be used in the documentary has already been produced; what’s left is the finishing touches. Barber wants the film to look perfectly polished to make sure the film gets the attention it deserves.
There’s no trailer for it yet, but I would imagine the opening line would go something like this: As Barber puts it, “In a land without any enforced cannabis laws at all. How long will this last? No one knows.”
Take a look and read about one of the subculture icons sure to be in the documentary: The Slab Hour with DC Cannabis Subculture Icon, Phone Homie. Or peruse through the DC BUD Summit slideshow showcasing the distinct street style: DC Style on Display at the DC BUD Summit.
The city has a national voice as it shares a front yard with The White House. This national reach culminated this past summer at the National Cannabis Festival.
Far from perfect
There are still issues with the program. For instance, the prices are sky high as compared with other legal states. You can read more about the issue facing D.C. medical marijuana patients here: DC Ups Patient Limit to 4 Ounces, But Lower Prices Still Desired.
DC NORML, Women Grow DC, and the pro-legalization organization DCMJ have taken to Obama’s front gate to demand more rights for medical patients and recreational users’ right to the plant.
It’s not every day that a local reform group can take to the highest seat in the land to express their grievances like they did recently in this White House protest: Parents Ask Obama to Lift Prohibition of Life Saving Medicine at White House Protest.
“Washington D.C.’s cannabis scene is unlike any other in the nation. While most of the cities’ new cannabis businesses are not condoned by the letter of the law, they are allowed to operate and prosper without police interference,” said Barber.
Barber has experienced videographers, editors, and post-production specialists all ready to go. Their main challenge is raising the funds to polish the project. With your help we can overcome this obstacle.
The money raised in this kickstarter will also go to securing a canna-friendly movie theater in Washington D.C. for the premier.
