Cannabis has been off-limits to doctors and researchers in the US for the past 80 years, but recently scientists have discovered its anti-cancer properties.
Armed with only these laboratory studies, desperate parents obtain cannabis oil from underground sources to save their children from childhood cancers.
“Weed the People” follows these families through uncharted waters as they take their children’s survival into their own hands.
Some of their miraculous outcomes beget the unsettling question at the heart of the film: If weed is truly saving lives, why doesn’t the government want people to access it?
About Abby Epstein:
Abby made her film directing debut at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival with the documentary feature, UNTIL THE VIOLENCE STOPS, starring Eve Ensler, Jane Fonda, Salma Hayek and Rosie Perez. The doc premiered on Lifetime Television, receiving an Emmy Award and a Gracie Allen Award. Next, Epstein began a collaborative partnership with Ricki Lake and directed their acclaimed documentary, THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN, (Tribeca Film Festival 2007). The award-winning doc inspired their book Your Best Birth, (Hachette) and the follow-up docuseries MORE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN featuring Cindy Crawford, Alanis Morissette, Gisele Bundchen and Christy Turlington. Under their joint venture BOBB Films, Epstein and Lake executive produced the feature documentaries BREASTMILK (DOC NYC) and THE MAMA SHERPAS (Sundance Doc Club.) In addition to WEED THE PEOPLE, BOBB Films is currently in production on the feature doc, SWEETENING THE PILL. Prior to working in film, Abby directed Broadway theater, including RENT, The Vagina Monologues, Hedwig and the Angry Inch and helmed international productions in Spain, Mexico and Canada.
About Ricki Lake:
From acting and producing, to dancing her way into the hearts of television audiences, Emmy Award-winning television host Ricki Lake is a pop culture icon who has built a career on her graciously candid sensibility and her authentic, relatable nature.
The world first met Lake in 1988 as Tracy Turnblad in John Waters’ film HAIRSPRAY. Her additional film and television credits are extensive. At age 24, Lake became one of the youngest daily talk show hosts in history with the debut of "The Ricki Lake Show". She has also co-written two books, released a 4 part-DVD series, and served as an Executive Producer of several documentaries. Lake’s legacy and perhaps her greatest love is her role as an independent filmmaker. Her award-winning, critically acclaimed documentary THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2007 and is often hailed as the "must see" film amongst mothers-to-be. She is currently working on a film about hormonal birth control
In recent years, Ricki Lake has channeled her nurturing spirit and drive for social change into passion projects, serving as a leading voice for crucial issues such as women’s rights and informed choice within reproductive health. Ricki is also a strong advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, having just lost her beloved husband, Christian Evans on Feb. 11, 2017.
SXSW Screenings:
World Premiere: March 11 at 11:00 a.m. (Alamo Ritz 1)
Public Screening #2: March 12 at 6:30 p.m. (Alamo Lamar D)
Public Screening #3: March 14 at 4:45 p.m. (Alamo Lamar B)
