Chris J. Russo | USA | 2021
96 min | CC Available
SPOTLIGHT EVENT: CLOSING FILM
Co-presented by Guelph Black Heritage Society
Supported by Ronin Cannabis

Following the widely praised 2016 decision to legalize cannabis in California, six courageous women emerge from the shadows to enter the new commercial industry. As farmers, entrepreneurs and activists, these modern-day pioneers find their initial optimism is quickly replaced with uncertainty and fear as the new legislation favors deep pocketed corporations. Those who shaped the foundations of the cannabis industry for decades soon find themselves struggling to fight for their piece of the American Dream in a market they helped create.

Lady Buds features second-generation cannabis farmer Chiah Rodriques, 72-year old African-American retired Catholic school principal turned dispensary owner Sue Taylor, Latinx queer activist Felicia Carbajal, serial entrepreneur Karyn Wagner, and Humboldt elders The Bud Sisters. Their stories speak to the many opportunities and issues facing commercial cannabis today: the complicated dynamics of raising a family on a cannabis farm, the ongoing fight for those adversely affected by the War on Drugs, educating seniors citizens about the healing power of cannabis, and honoring the LGBTQ activists who fought for legalizing medical marijuana over 25 years ago.

At every turn these trailblazers defy stereotypes, while revealing that cannabis is much more than a plant-it's a community.

DIRECTORS BIO

Chris J. Russo

Chris J. Russo's award-winning short films have screened all over the world, including the Sundance Film Festival, and have been broadcast on Showtime, PBS, lFC, LOGO and NETFLlX. She is a 2018 fellow of the Sundance lnstitute/Women ln Film Financing lntensive with Lady Buds, and is also a fellow of Film lndependent's Director and Screenwriters Labs, with her project, Directed By Dorothy Arzner. Notable short film credits include, A Woman Reported, about the moments before a hate crime occurs; Size 'em Up, a coming of age story; Straight Down The Aisle: Confessions of Lesbian Bridesmaids, winner of the Outfest Best Short Documentary Award for its poignant view on marriage non-equality (pre-Prop 8); and numerous music videos.