Report: Ricki Lake/Abby Epstein doc 'Weed the People' scores distribution deal

Film makes case for therapeutic success of CBD oil for children with cancer

Director Abby Epstein and executive producer Ricki Lake have struck a distribution deal for Weed the People, their documentary that promotes the healing properties of oils derived from marijuana plants. 

Variety reports Mangurama and Bobb Films will distribute the film, which held its world premiere at SXSW in March.

"We are thrilled to be working with Mangurama on the theatrical release of our documentary," Lake and Epstein said in a statement provided to Variety. "We hope that Weed The People will humanize the controversy around medical cannabis. As our film reveals, access to this plant has become a human rights issue.”

At SXSW, Epstein told Nonfictionfilm.com, "You've got these parents [of children with cancer] who are looking for everything. They are not getting the results they want from what they're being offered through the standard medical system. And when you start looking for everything cannabis comes up. We know cannabis kills cancer in the test-tube or represses tumor growth."

Lake told us of the documentary, "We really feel like we have a gem on our hands." 

​No theatrical release date has been announced for the film.

"Weed the People" executive producer Ricki Lake (left) and director Abby Epstein at the SXSW film festival in Austin, Texas. March 13, 2018. Photo by Matt Carey

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