Higher Power

We began making this film to highlight Black entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry. It’s constantly cited that Black owners make up about 2% of the industry. We didn’t want to reinforce that narrative. Instead, we wanted to show Black folks succeeding in the industry. Too often, when we don’t see ourselves in spaces, and we constantly hear that we aren’t there, we opt out. We’re told that the hurdles are too high. And while the hurdles are certainly high for Black entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry, they are not insurmountable. What began as a story about entrepreneurship grew into a larger narrative about the importance of political power and representation.

"We connected cannabis legalization to the fight for D.C. statehood. Washington, D.C.’s citizens are the only Americans in the continental US subject to taxation without representation. Washington, D.C.’s laws are subject to the political whims of Congress, which continues to deny the city the right to self-rule. It’s an egregious example of political suppression and marginalization of the nearly 700,000 residents - mostly people of color. The country needs to know about the fight for D.C. statehood, and it needs to act.”- Rafi

“It was important to show everyday Black people in the cannabis industry. Every cannabis documentary I've seen about us revolves around celebrities. They never focus on the local issues preventing Black Americans from gaining equity in the growing industry. An industry that continues to generate wealth by capitalizing on our culture and our people. I wanted to show Black Americans trying to succeed and strive. I wanted to show both the legal and legacy sides of the cannabis community .” - Dewey