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On Tuesday April 18, hip hop pioneer and activist Fab 5 Freddy hosted the New York City premiere of his new documentary “Grass is Greener.” The film, which will debut on Netflix on Saturday, April 20 – 4/20, explores America’s relationship with marijuana and features music luminaries like Snoop Dog, Cypress Hill, Chuck D, and Damian Marley, as well as several members of the Drug Policy Alliance extended family.
DPA New York State Director Kassandra Frederique provides brilliant observations about marijuana prohibition and its impact on communities of color and racial injustice. Former DPA board member and Columbia University professor Dr. Carl Hart also makes a significant contribution to the film talking about the war on drugs. Hart is a neuroscientist well known for his research in drug abuse and addiction.
Before the film started, Fab 5 Freddy, a longtime marijuana proponent, talked about his reasoning in making “Grass is Greener.” Afterwards, he introduced Kassandra who gave an amazing presentation about her work at DPA and the struggle to legalize marijuana in New York State.
"Grass is Greener" is a very entertaining film that provides a very informative view of the issues associated with drug use and more importantly its negative consequences on targeted communities. In one segment Fab 5 visits Louisiana to highlight the case of Bernard Noble, a black father of seven who was sentenced to 13 years in prison for possession two joints. Freed from prison in 2018, DPA covered Noble’s case extensively and played a key role in raising awareness about the case and harms of overly harsh sentencing related to marijuana prohibition.
Hopefully "Grass is Greener" will open the hearts and minds of millions of Americans and convince them that marijuana is a plant that is useful as a medicine and recreational drug that should be celebrated by all.