Justin Simien–visionary filmmaker and actor behind acclaimed projects Dear White People, Bad Hair, Disney's Haunted Mansion, and Hollywood Black–has broken new ground with , a much-needed short-form docuseries that celebrates the intersection of queer identity and cannabis culture. This new project from Simien's Emmy-nominated production company, Culture Machine, launches weekly on social media platforms, partnering with criminal justice nonprofit Last Prisoner Project to amplify voices historically excluded from mainstream cannabis narratives.
Centering Queer Voices in Cannabis Advocacy
is produced by Izzi Cavotta, Kaylen Ng, and Merari Chavarría, centered on the experiences of queer people who have long turned to cannabis not merely for recreation, but for healing and survival. The series features drag artists and activists including Laganja Estranja, Jorgeous, and Sabbyiana. It brings stories that connect anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, cannabis policing, and systemic inequity while celebrating queer joy, protest, and community care.
From Grassroots Vision to Cultural Documentation
The docuseries was born from Simien's commitment to marginalized voices. "In this industry, the kinds of stories I'm drawn to, the ones about communities pushed to the margins, are often the hardest to get funded," Simien explains. True to the grassroots spirit that launched Dear White People from a viral trailer made with his tax return, Culture Machine approached with the same determination.
"We knew we had to tell it, to make it part of the cultural record."
During their research, Simien and his team started noticing a pattern: queer people were instrumental in legalizing medical cannabis, yet this contribution remains somewhat hidden. "We knew we had to tell it, to make it part of the cultural record," he says. The partnership with Last Prisoner Project grounds this celebration in real advocacy, ensuring the series doesn't just entertain but actively confronts the systems attempting to erase queer resistance.
"I've learned over time that if you only talk about oppression, you risk reinforcing it. And if you only talk about joy, you risk glossing over the fight that made it possible. The sweet spot is when you put those two truths in conversation."
Balancing Joy and Justice in Storytelling
Simien's approach to complicated social narratives has evolved since his earlier work, emphasizing balance between harsh realities and celebration. takes what Simien calls a "mixtape" approach: the protest track and the dance track live side-by-side to tell the full story. This balance reflects Culture Machine's consistent approach of making work that's as beautiful and entertaining as it is socially sharp.
A Personal and Political Intersection
For Simien, the project represents a personal intersection. He shares: "I happen to be out and proud, and I also enjoy the devil's lettuce quite a bit. It has found its way into my creative process, my self-care routines, and I think there's a really interesting political intersection with communities of color and queer communities."
stands as a testament to Simien's belief that joy itself is a radical act, deserving equal spotlight alongside struggle. Through this docuseries, Culture Machine continues its mission of ensuring the real change makers remain at the center of every story worth telling.
Behind the Scenes: Loud & Proud
An intimate look at the making of Justin Simien's groundbreaking docuseries
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