Steve DeAngelo: The Untold Story, a documentary series from Green Flower Media, explores the life and work of Steve DeAngelo, a pioneering figure in the cannabis industry. Spanning six episodes, the series delves into DeAngelo's early years, his journey to becoming a cannabis advocate and entrepreneur, and the challenges he has faced along the way.
The series begins with DeAngelo's childhood in suburban Maryland, where he developed an interest in counterculture and activism. As a young man, he became involved in various social justice causes, including the anti-war movement and the struggle for LGBT rights. However, it was not until he discovered the power of cannabis that he found his true calling.
In the mid-1970s, DeAngelo moved to San Francisco and quickly became immersed in the city's vibrant cannabis scene. He began selling marijuana to support himself, but he also saw the plant's potential to heal and transform people's lives. Inspired by this vision, he co-founded the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana (WAMM), one of the country's first medical cannabis collectives.
Through interviews with DeAngelo and his colleagues, as well as archival footage, the series shows how WAMM pioneered a new model of patient-centered cannabis care. The collective grew its own organic cannabis, and its members provided free medicine to patients with serious illnesses such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and multiple sclerosis. DeAngelo also became a leading advocate for the legalization of cannabis, testifying before Congress and speaking at rallies across the country.
The series also chronicles the challenges DeAngelo faced as a cannabis entrepreneur. In 2001, he opened Harborside Health Center, a medical cannabis dispensary in Oakland, California that became one of the largest and most respected in the world. However, he soon found himself in the crosshairs of the federal government, which began a campaign of harassment and intimidation against him and other cannabis businesses.
Through it all, DeAngelo remained steadfast in his commitment to the cause, and the series portrays him as a tireless and passionate advocate for cannabis and social justice. It also features interviews with other key figures in the cannabis world, such as Ethan Nadelmann, founder of the Drug Policy Alliance, and Rick Doblin, founder of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS).
Overall, Steve DeAngelo: The Untold Story is a compelling and informative portrait of an influential figure in the cannabis industry. Whether you are a cannabis enthusiast, a social justice activist, or simply curious about the plant and its place in society, this series offers a fascinating and inspiring look at one man's journey to make cannabis legal and accessible to all.
