b'who concentrates on canna-bislaw,discussesthe1936 film Reefer Madness, which was shown as a public service announcementtoschool children.Thefilmservesas amoralitytalewiththein-tention of painting cannabis users as criminals engaged in horrendous crimes.Ellisdocumentaryalso highlightstherootsofthe term marijuana as a substi-Filmmaker Howard Ellis with members of Free- tution for the Latin-originat-dom Grow. L to R: Kristin Flor (Executive Direc- ed word cannabis. Accord-tor, Freedom Grow), Howard Ellis, Randy Lanier (CEO), Mitzi Wall (Secretary of the Board), anding to Cooper, the usage of Allan Hollingsworth (Advocate). All of the Free- theSpanish-languageterm dom Grow members were featured in the film. developed a racist approach in federal prison before his early re- to blaming the drug on Mexico and lease.Hispost-incarcerationactiv- Mexican immigrants. ism includes serving on the Execu- Although Bar None was released tiveCommitteeofFreedomGrow,a year ago, Ellis plans to update the a nonprofit based in California thatfilm to provide new information in is dedicated to supporting cannabisthe stories of key participants as well prisoners and their families. as changes in cannabis laws. His goal Kyle Page served almost nine yearsis to follow the evolving trajectory of fornon-violentcannabispossession,thecannabiscommunity,especially duetolawsthatimposesignificantthose still in prison. The folks I met prison time even for nonviolent of- are amazing people, some of the most fenses. Page continued to suffer trau- amazingpeopleIveevermet,he ma after prison because of the stigmasays. I think theyre the story I want-thatfollowsoffenders.Hewasoned to tell that hasnt been told.hand at the expo as an ambassadorFor more information about Bar to the Last Prison Project, a programNone: Cannabis Redemption, visit basedinDenverthathelpsformerhoward-ellis.comor@howardellis- Imagine & Create prisoners reintegrate into society. Hedocs on Instagram. credits the group with his own re-in- Donny Levit is a writer, theater direc- Summer School Camptegration, as well as his ability to re- tor,andradioDJlivinginAtlanta connect with his daughter after beingwith his wife, two kids, and two dogs.JULY 6 \x1f AUGUST 14 separated from her for many years. CatchhisradioshowsonIGat@ MONDAY-FRIDAYForEllis,theconventionandjazzmonsters and @newishradio. 8 AM - 5 PMsubsequent interviews taught him a lot. Im not really a cannabis personFor ages 3-5 years oldmyself. I rarely partake. But I didntImagine Create Explore Dreamrealize the contradiction that exists,snacks providedhands-on stem activities he says. Some individuals and com- small group learning end-of-program showcasemunities who have been dispropor- social-emotional learningtionately harmed by past drug lawsScan to registerareofferedsocialequitylicenses, whicharebusinesslicensesinthe legalized cannabis industry. On the other hand, people are still in prison for decades for the exact same thingbeing in the business of cannabis.Inadditiontointerviewsofac-tivists, Bar None covers important points about the history of cannabisSouth Orange-Vailsburg United Methodist Church and the roots of the war on drugsHoward Ellis with former professional150 South Orange Avenue, South Orange |973-763-1385race car driver Randy Lanier whocuriouschildren.org | curiouschildren5@gmail.comcampaign. Andrew Cooper, a lawyerserved 27 years for cannabis smuggling.feature story /31'