Directed by drug war casualty Amy R. Povah, the award-winning feature is now available exclusively on Vimeo, Cable, and Satellite; arrives on iTunes, VUDU, Google, and Xbox May 1
LOS ANGELES, April 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Harm Reduction Productions announces the official Video-on-Demand release of the award-winning feature,"420 – The Documentary;" a thought-provoking film chronicling pot culture and the changing attitudes surrounding marijuana over almost eight decades of prohibition, culminating with legalization in two states.
Directed by drug war veteran, former inmate, and pardon recipient, Amy Ralston Povah,"420 – The Documentary" explores the Reefer Madness origins of this nation's federal drug policy; calling into question the hypocrisy of arresting the very youth that politicians feign concern over when defending the status quo.
After winning "Best Documentary Feature" at the Awareness Film Festival's World Premiere, "420" enjoyed a series of screenings and a Launch Party where fans celebrated and previewed this social policy game-changer that combines rare news/archival footage, 420 festivals, protests, exclusive interviews with law enforcement members and for the first time on film, the former editor of High Times Magazine, Steven Hager, reveals the true meaning and origin of the universal slang for marijuana that has mystified pot enthusiasts for years.
"In prison, I became obsessed with the drug war in an effort to understand how an otherwise law abiding citizen with no prior record could receive a 24-year sentence," explains Ralston Povah, "while conversely, the kingpin got three years probation for 'cooperating!' While researching, I stumbled upon our first Drug Czar, Harry Anslinger who whipped up mass-hysteria toward cannabis. To understand the drug war, one has to go to the root and realize Anslinger's fear-mongering tactics are still being applied today."
To celebrate the film's release, EXCLUSIVELY on VIMEO-ON-DEMAND through April, "420 – The Documentary" is hosting contests with free prizes on its Facebook fan page, including tickets to the 420 High Times Cannabis Cup in Denver, 420 survival kits, Irv Rosenfeld's book, "My Medicine," and much more. Visit www.facebook.com/420Documentary for more information.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKER:
Drug War casualty, Amy Ralston Povah, served 9 years of a 24-year sentence for "conspiracy" in an MDMA case. Oscar nominated journalist David France researched and featured Amy's case in Glamour Magazine. Court TV and other news outlets ignited public outcry for a sentence commutation, which President Clinton granted on July 7, 2000. Post-release, Amy started the non-profit CAN-DO Foundation; Clemency for All Non-Violent Drug Offenders that advocates for the women she left behind, including Shirley Womble who served 25 years for pot and whose case is featured in 420 – The Documentary.
Contact:
Amy Ralston Povah
Harm Reduction Productions
310-699-3357
Email
www.420-documentary.com
www.facebook.com/420Documentary
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2084954/
