‘Lady Buds’ Introduces Badass Women in the Cannabis Industry

Best known for her scripted short films, award-winning LGBTQ writer, director, and producer Chris J. Russo took a major career leap and released her first-ever feature documentary last year.

Chronicling the legislation and commercialization of cannabis after California passed Proposition 64 in 2016, Lady Buds offers an insightful journey into the lives and work of six courageous women who are connected to different aspects of the cannabis industry. Through Russo’s lens, not only does she showcase underrepresented voices but she challenges stereotypes, highlights issues women face in the industry, and reveals how small cannabis businesses fight to compete against larger corporations.

Russo says she couldn’t help but be intrigued and curious about the women involved in the cannabis industry.

“When I saw that Prop 64 was on the ballot in 2016 and that it was going to create legalization for not only medicinal use but recreational use in California, I knew we were going to see a major change in the way people thought about cannabis and the economy,” she explains. “I began to research, and to my pleasant surprise, I saw that several women were involved in the industry. I came across a statistic saying 36 percent of leadership roles were held by women, and I was like, ‘That’s a lot.’ So, my curiosity led the way, and I started going to networking events for women in cannabis.

“They were very inspiring and passionate about the plant, and I was just enamored by these women. My curiosity piqued even more, and I started to interview women in the (cannabis) space. I knew that there was a story here. I knew that we were going to watch a historic moment unfold in California.”

Although Russo interviewed more than 100 people throughout Lady Buds’ four-year journey, six women are ultimately featured: second-generation cannabis farmer Chiah Rodriques; retired school principal Sue Taylor, who dreams of opening a cannabis dispensary; Latinx queer activist Felicia Carbajal; entrepreneur Karyn Wagner; and cannabis pioneers Pearl Moon and Dr. Joyce Centofanti, also known as “The Bud Sisters.”

Russo knew she wanted to include subjects from all walks of life including mothers, businesswomen, and elders.

“I was very thoughtful about the casting, if you will,” she says. “I wanted to have a diverse range of voices from different backgrounds, races, ethnicities, statistics, and areas of the cannabis supply chain. To me, it’s important to represent voices that aren’t often given the chance to speak, and cannabis has a fraught history with the War on Drugs, targeting Black and Brown people. It was very important for me to include a wide variety of voices in the film.”

At every turn, these trailblazing women are working to reduce the stigma around cannabis and reveal that it is much more than a plant—It’s a community. Captivating, educating, and above all, inspiring, Lady Buds has received nothing but high praise from audiences.

The film currently holds a 100 percent critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

“I cannot tell you how blown away and grateful I am to have that rating,” Russo says. “I didn’t know what to expect when the film was released. I knew that I told a really good story, and it was very compelling, but the fact that audiences of all ages are connecting to the film is very rewarding. I think cannabis touches a lot of people, and everybody has a different relationship to the plant, but I kind of feel that cannabis is almost the backdrop of the film. The film is really about these women and their strength to overcome these intense obstacles. It’s a dream come true that audiences and the press have been so supportive.”

In addition to women empowerment and achieving dreams against all odds, Russo also feels that Lady Buds is a critique on capitalism.

“I hope a lot of the takeaway from the film is that people think about buying local, supporting local communities, and questioning where they spend their money,” she says. “How we spend our money is a political act.”

Even though Russo is not involved in the cannabis industry, she has had a personal relationship with the plant since she was 14 years old. It is a part of her wellness routine, and she has always enjoyed how cannabis enhances her creativity.

During the four years of making Lady Buds, Russo enjoyed Arcanna flower grown at Rive Txai Farm in Mendocino, specifically Lemon Fire OG and Wookie Cookies. She also lived on Kikoko teas and Garden Society chocolates, but her go-to for microdosing is Kiva Petra mints.

Throughout the filming process, Russo constantly found herself surprised and learning a lot from the cannabis community. “I was surprised by how wonderful this community is and how they are all about giving back,” she says. “It was wonderful to learn about the history, and it’s kind of funny because my journey was very much parallel to their journey. It was very much like, believe in your dreams; don’t stop; make it happen as a filmmaker; raise the money; tell your story, and stay true to what you believe in. That’s what all these women were doing: raising money for their companies, fighting to stay alive in an industry that was very difficult for women, and we all inspired each other. I think that’s the message of the film, and for me, it’s also, don’t give up on something that you really believe in.”

After Lady Buds’ fantastic theatrical run in the fall, the film has streamed on Amazon and iTunes, and it is now airing on Starz. Russo is currently developing a couple spinoff projects, including a scripted feature and a series focusing on Taylor’s life journey to open a dispensary that’s focused on the needs of senior citizens and leaving a legacy for her family.

“I’m very excited about the projects that are being inspired by the film, and I’m excited to tell more stories of the courageous women in and out of the industry,” she says. “I come from a scripted background, but I’m looking at all projects right now to direct and produce, so it’s an exciting time.”

For the latest news, updates, and to connect with Russo, visit ladybudsmovie.com.

All Photos Courtesy of Lady Buds Movie LLC