There’s plenty more of “Lady Buds” to harvest. CJ Russo’s 2021 documentary about a group of women struggling to save their cannabis businesses in the wake of California’s newly legal industry is getting two spinoffs. Deadline reports that a scripted comedy from Hellcat and a non-scripted series from Yoruba Media Labs are in the works.
The comedy feature is said to be “in the vein of ‘Bridesmaids’ with a diverse cast.” Russo is among its producers.
“Women may not be the face of cannabis, but they’ve always been the backbone of the culture. Before legalization, 36% of leadership roles in the industry were held by women, and that number is now 22%. These growers are as dynamic as they are diverse, and they’re truly inspiring. I’m thrilled to be bringing their story, a true and still unfolding David and Goliath tale for our times, to life on the big screen,” said Hellcat’s Pippa Lambert.
The series will follow Sue Taylor, AKA Mama Sue, who is featured in “Lady Buds.” The doc saw the retired Catholic school principal determined to open a cannabis dispensary for seniors as an alternative to pharmaceuticals.
The original “Lady Buds” will make its broadcast premiere March 1 on Starz.
“I couldn’t be happier to know that my film ‘Lady Buds’ is inspiring adaptations that will allow me to continue to support and tell the stories of these courageous, pioneering women,” said Russo. “Along with the exciting acquisition by Starz, which is the perfect home to showcase this film that explores women empowerment and social justice, it’s all a dream come true.”
Ahead of the “Lady Bud’s” premiere at Hot Docs, Russo told us that the film “exposes the struggles and barriers” that “passionate entrepreneurs must face to enter a market burdened by excessive government oversight and regulations that favor corporate mega-grows and and big business.” She emphasized that the film is “about having the courage to stand up for what you believe in, knowing the risks and the struggles, in order to live a life out in the open doing what you love to do. It’s about pioneers wanting to achieve the American Dream, in the very market they laid the groundwork for.”
Asked what she’d like audiences to think about after watching the doc, Russo said, “‘Lady Buds’ reflects our country’s current struggle with corporate capitalism controlling the economy and dominating our democracy, exposing how difficult it is for any small business to survive. I hope audiences connect to the importance of supporting local businesses, especially those run by women. I also hope the film allows people to think about cannabis in a new way so they can take advantage of its healing properties, if they so choose.”
