FEMALE “GANJAPRENEURS” BRING GENDER PARITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY TO THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY
Willie’s Reserve donates signed guitar to help crowd-source finishing funds for Windy Borman’s groundbreaking documentary about women in the weed business.
Denver, CO, September 12, 2016 – DVA Productions unveiled the film teaser for its new documentary motion picture, MARY JANES: THE WOMEN OF WEED, at a private Teaser Premiere Party in Denver, CO.
MARY JANES: THE WOMEN OF WEED, the third documentary by award-winning filmmaker Windy Borman, follows female “ganjapreneurs” as they navigate the “budding” marijuana industry in the United States. Their combined experience with the medical, legal, technical, scientific and business aspects of cannabis paint a multidimensional portrait of what it really takes to be “The Women of Weed”.
Borman writes, “When I moved to Colorado in 2014—the same year adult use of marijuana became legal—and started meeting successful women in the weed business, I knew I needed to share their stories to inspire audiences about how gender parity, social justice and environmental sustainability lead to greater success for all.”
Borman began production on MARY JANES: THE WOMEN OF WEED in Feb. 2016 in Denver at the Women Grow Leadership Summit. She has since filmed in DC, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and California. Filming in Oregon, Washington and Alaska will occur this fall.
According to the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, women account for over 40% of annual cannabis users. This means 13.1 million women used cannabis in the United States in 2015. “When you also consider that women purchase over 50% of movie tickets, it just makes sense to produce a film where women get to speak about their experience,” writes Borman.
Willie Nelson once saved his guitar from a burning building and they have spent a lifetime traveling the world together. Willie and “Trigger” have a love story for the ages. They hope a MARY JANES’s supporter can start a friendship like that with their own Willie’s Reserve guitar signed by the legend himself. The Fender Guitar (with acoustic pack) signed by Willie Nelson, along with a Willie’s Reserve T-shirt and hat, will be delivered to one lucky winner.
Willie’s Reserve wrote: “Upon the debut of Willie’s Reserve in Colorado and Washington, Willie Nelson told us all, ‘Now that legalization is spreading across the country, there’s a great opportunity to build a company that can help a lot of people.’ Willie’s Reserve has set out to uphold these values, so we are so proud to support the motion picture MARY JANES: THE WOMEN OF WEED. It will take a community working together to create an industry where women are duly respected as leaders in marijuana. This film will be a cornerstone in the story and together we will pay tribute to a tradition of sharing, caring, and toking.”
Borman (THE EYES OF THAILAND and THE BIG PICTURE: RETHINKING DYSLEXIA) is on track to wrap principal photography on Election Night in Nov. 2016, making MARY JANES eligible for major festivals in Spring 2017. Finishing funds will be primarily raised through Indiegogo.com, the popular online crowd-fundraising source. Donations to MARY JANES are tax-deductible through Green Planet Films, a 501(c)3 organization, at: <https://igg.me/at/MaryJanesFilm>.
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Press Links:
Website: http://MaryJanesFilm.com
Facebook: http://Facebook.com/MaryJanesFilm
Twitter and Instagram: @MaryJanesFilm
About MARY JANES: THE WOMEN OF WEED:
MARY JANES: THE WOMEN OF WEED follows female “ganjapreneurs” as they navigate the “budding” marijuana industry in the United States. Their combined experience with the medical, legal, technical, scientific and business aspects of cannabis paint a multidimensional portrait of the what it really takes to be “The Women of Weed”.
Along the way, we meet authors, lawyers, doctors, patients, Congresswomen, legalization advocates, parents, and teachers who demystify the legal marijuana industry. We’ll learn about the evolution of the Cannabis Sativa plant, its Schedule I drug status with the DEA, and its eventual legalization for medical use. We’ll discuss how the “War on Drugs” created new “Jim Crow laws”, and the parallels between women leading the way to overturn alcohol prohibition and ending marijuana prohibition. Finally, we’ll highlight female-led businesses that are instilling social responsibility into their foundations and the successes these garner. By the end, we hope female and male audiences become educated voters and empowered entrepreneurs in any industry they choose.
About Windy Borman:
Windy Borman, MST, is a multi-award-winning film Director and Producer, as well as the founder of DVA Productions. Her recent projects include directing and producing the 10-time award-winning film, THE EYES OF THAILAND (narrated by Ashley Judd), and producing THE BIG PICTURE: RETHINKING DYSLEXIA, which premiered at Sundance and on HBO. Other credits include producing performances for Dr. Maya Angelou and Margaret Cho, directing “The Vagina Monologues”, and writing for Takepart.com and Indiewire: Women and Hollywood.
From 2003-2005, Ms. Borman dedicated two years of her life to Teach For America, teaching middle school Drama and Dance in the South Bronx. In 2006 she opened DVA Productions to use her gift of storytelling to produce film and digital media that give a voice to the voiceless and promote peace, justice and equality.
Windy has been an active member in Women in Film chapters since 2008. She served as the Vice President of Bay Area Women in Film and Media (BAWIFM) and was member of New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT). She moved to Colorado in 2014 and is thrilled to serve as the Founding Board Chair of Women in Film and Media Colorado (WIFMCO).
About Willie’s Reserve:
For decades, Willie Nelson has served as the face of responsible marijuana use in the United States, while speaking out in favor of legalization for medical and recreational purposes. The nation’s most renowned aficionado has awaited the opportunity to share the pleasures of fine quality cannabis with his legions of fellow fans, and now, with top-grade, meticulously grown and beautifully packaged Willie’s Reserve, he can. Willie’s Reserve signature Ready Rolls and high quality flower are currently available at select purveyors in Colorado, Washington and future legal states for connoisseurs who appreciate the best. Willie’s Reserve will continue to support Nelson’s goals and celebrate his legacy by constantly seeking innovative ways to develop and curate the brand, while seeking an end to marijuana prohibition in America. http://williesreserve.com/
