Nas is the narrator and executive producer of an upcoming film about the cannabis industry. The King’s Disease rapper took to Instagram on Tuesday (Oct. 27) to announce the news.
“SMOKE: Marijuana + Black America” will provide a look into marijuana culture and its hypocrisies, highlighting its legal impact on the Black community, African-American cannabis entrepreneurs and the lack of Black-owned dispensaries in the country. The two-hour documentary will feature anecdotes from policy makers, innovators and enthusiasts of the industry including vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris, Senator Cory Booker, cannabis investor Al Harrington, WNBA star Cheyenne Parker, Ty Dolla $ign and Notorious B.I.G.‘s son, C.J. Wallace.
“The world has finally begun opening up to the cannabis industry the way I feel it should have years ago,” Nas told Variety. “Even still, hate exists in this business for Black people, and that is something that sickens me and should be recognized for its blatant evil. The people that have been locked up for marijuana should not only be freed, but receive restitution for the damage done to them by outdated laws. It’s important to spread awareness on this, and that’s why everyone needs to make sure they tune in and watch the documentary ‘SMOKE!’”
“’SMOKE’ truly sheds a light on the systemic racial issues embedded in our society with regards to Black America and the war on drugs,” added Harrington, founder of cannabis company Viola. “I am honored to be a part of the this project, as our mission at Viola is to not only empower minority ownership in cannabis, but to also help those communities of color who have historically been the victims of cannabis-related incarceration, turning their struggles into opportunities for success, within this ever-evolving and rapidly growing industry.”
“SMOKE: Marijuana + Black America” will premiere on BET on Nov. 18 at 10 p.m.