Michael Hope is an artist that has recently utilized film as a medium to educate and entertain on the subject of marijuana. With his first feature film Pot (the movie), Michael explores the growing multi-billion dollar industry as more states legalize it for both medicinal and recreational use and more research is being done into its potential healing powers.
You’ve worked as an artist, is this your first film?
I am an artist, and have always preferred art that has some social and personal relevance that communicates and moves the artist and the audience.
I have produced for various television shows for years as well as commercial special interest documentary films, but this is my first Feature Film. This film also features a soundtrack of original music by songwriter Daniel “Boone” Johnson and myself.
It’s a hot button topic. What was the impetus to making Pot (the movie)?
This is the film the world needs now on this subject. Pot is one of the most misunderstood substances in history, with long held prejudices with no basis in facts. Since Pot is out there, if people are going to have an opinion on the subject, it would be best if they have an informed, educated, modern opinion. This film is unlike any on the subject.
Is your primary objective to advocate for legalization?
My primary objective is to educate people on aspects of the marijuana debate they most likely do not know, and let people make their own conclusions. I believe that most people are good and decent, and prefer liberty and justice based on facts. Historically we have been misled, and unfortunately, to date, there has been an immense amount of misinformation that was taught as fact. Modern science shows that not only were we misled, but that this substance has shown great promise for MANY medical issues, and in terms of recreational use, we are talking about a substance that for all practical purposes is safer than alcohol.
How long did you work on the film?
I have been researching this subject for years, and have continued to stay up to date. I began working on the thesis for the film in 2013, and began filming in early 2014.
What were the most surprising facts that you learned in the making of the film?
I thought I had a pretty good grip on the whole Pot thing, but candidly, I was surprised by a few big things that we cover in the film. The biggest for me would be the new science on Cannabis and Cancer. If you have a loved one with Cancer, you should really get up to speed on the current science of Pot. It is truly stunning!
For instance, our body has a system that is designed specifically for the active ingredient in cannabis, each strain has a different effect depending on it’s cannabinoid profile, and that the folks in Colorado built their successful educational and legislation efforts around the fact that relatively speaking, pot is safer than alcohol.
I was also surprised to learn about organizations like L.E.A.P. (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition). I am a very patriotic, law abiding citizen. I’m pro-cop. Specifically good cop. If someone is willing to sit and guard the post while my family and I sleep, God bless them, for real. This past year has been tough for police and citizen interaction, and we need to be smart about what we focus or law enforcement efforts on. L.E.A.P. is a national organization of law enforcement and criminal justice professionals who are advocating for: (from LEAP website) “ LEAP envisions a world in which drug policies work for the benefit of society and keep our communities safer. A system of legalization and regulation will end the violence, better protect human rights, safeguard our children, reduce crime and disease, treat drug abusers as patients, reduce addiction, use tax dollars more efficiently, and restore the public’s respect and trust in law enforcement.”
It’s great to see these officials speak out so eloquently on such an important subject.
On that same note: I was also mortified to see how out of step and uneducated some people in positions of authority are. When people understand the modern science and medical validity of Marijuana, they will be equally moved to protect the liberty of parents that are being prosecuted for helping themselves or their children when traditional medicine has failed them. To think that we are spending billions prosecuting people for pot possession, and confusing our children by saying that pot is equal to or the same as harder substances is not only wrong, it’s dangerous and truly irresponsible.
Someone should really make a movie about this:
Do feel now that it’s legal in certain states that there is no going back to how the country has traditionally viewed cannabis use?
Absolutely not! In fact, I am hugely concerned that many advocates may become complacent because of recent successes in the movement, and assume that eventual decriminalization or legalization is a fore-gone conclusion. IT’S NOT! We forget that from 1971 to 1977, eleven states decriminalized Pot, and the Senate panel recommended decriminalization back then too. In fact, President Carter even campaigned on a platform that included marijuana decriminalization, only to be completely reversed with the miseducation of the 1980’s, and look where we are now.
I am an optimist, and I believe that we as a species eventually tend to get social issues right, but not without work, sacrifice, and education. In many areas of our great country, especially in small communities, speaking out about reasonable policy on this or other topics can have huge sociological repercussions.
We need to actively educate, and work to de-stigmatize this substance once and for all. I believe that the lawmakers are the issue. I invite lawmakers to see this film. If their goal is to keep us safe and protect our liberty, they owe it to us to have an informed opinion based on fact, then correct the national laws regarding marijuana once and for all.
Simply look at the statistics regarding the racial disparity of marijuana prosecution. The whole idea is liberty and justice for all, right?
The film covers both recreational and medical use, do you see those as two separate issues?
I see them as two sides of the same coin. On one side, when people finally understand the truly incredible results people are receiving from this natural, unaltered plant, from physical and emotional pain mitigation including PTSD, to arthritis and inflammation, to cancer treatment, they will be astonished and most likely moved to want this addressed legally.
On the other side, when people understand that marijuana is than safer alcohol in that pot users are less prone to addiction, less prone to violence, suicide is lessened is states where it’s legal, and that there is not ONE recorded case of marijuana overdose, they will see that there is a true public health aspect to recreational use too. Besides, if it is taken out of the black market and regulated like Colorado has done, that will lessen the danger of exposure to more harmful drugs from illicit drug dealers.
It’s ridiculous to think that in this day and age the only substance people have to relax or celebrate is alcohol. Alcohol needs to be legal and must be legal, but it’s not a great option for everyone. Many people like me are allergic to alcohol, or have reason to be cautious with alcohol for health reasons. Again, these are health issues.
What would you like to have the audience come away with after viewing the film?
I would like the audience to take away from the film that at minimum, please, whatever substance you are considering putting in your body, educate yourself. For parents, I hope that they understand that in order to truly protect their kids, they need to understand that pot is not equal to, or the same as any other drug, and that when it comes to drugs in general, for the sake of their children and a meaningful relationship with their children, they should get up to date on pot and all other drugs, and continue to educate themselves.
I also hope that people come away with a feeling of compassion for the parents that are trying to help their ailing children, gratitude for the police trying to keep us safe, pride in our country for what we are blessed with and where we are going, and hope for our politicians to finally and quickly get the policy right on an issue that effects millions of Americans.
What has the reaction to the film been so far?
Great. One gentleman that is an expert in this field professionally said that he and his wife LOVED the movie, and that he felt it gave the information that is missing from every other film he has seen on the subject, and he’s seen most of them. To quote him “Everybody needs to see this film”. I really tried to present a film that is in clear advocacy for pragmatic legislation to address this issue, medically and recreationally, once and for all. It’s educational, touching, timely, and funny.
Where can people see the film?
The film premiers at the Minneapolis / St. Paul International Film Festival April 11th. The following week includes April 20th, or 4:20, and we are planning a series of theatrical showings over that weekend hosted by groups that have an interest in the subject of that film. I encourage people or groups that are interested in hosting a screening to contact us at potthemovie.com.
We are still exploring traditional distribution, and have developed and interesting theatrical option to work with interested groups and organizations to host a screening at theaters across the country. The film will also be available this spring through traditional digital outlets like iTunes, Amazon and Vimeo, as well as at our website potthemovie.com
What projects are you next working on?
Our production company has a number of projects in the works. We are developing a televisions series continuing on the theme of this film, as well as a comedy mockumentary series called “Three Chords and the Truth, The Ballad of Billy Ray Ray”, a kids show, and a satirical late night news and interview show called “Happy Your Head.”
Learn more about Pot (the movie) athttp://www.potthemovie.com
