This Pride Month, Emmy-nominated filmmaker Justin Simien and his production company, Culture Machine, are lighting up more than just rainbows. In partnership with the Last Prisoner Project, the criminal justice nonprofit committed to cannabis reform, Simien is launching Loud & Proud:a spirited, high-energy digital docuseries spotlighting queer cannabis culture like you’ve never seen before.
Weed, Drag, and Revolution
Dropping weekly through June and July on social platforms, Loud & Proud blends short-form storytelling with long-overdue truth-telling. The series centers queer creatives, organizers, and community leaders who’ve used cannabis not just for wellness, but for survival. From the ballroom to the frontlines, weed has long been a quiet hero of queer resistance, and this series finally gives it a loud mic.
“Cannabis has found its way into my creative process and my self-care routines,” says Simien, best known for Dear White People. “There’s a political intersection between communities of color and queer communities that I’m really excited this team is uncovering.”
A Cast That’s Lit
If you’re tuning in for drag excellence, you’re in good hands (and heels). The lineup includes fan favorites like Laganja Estranja, Jorgeous, Sabbyiana, and more, who serve both looks and lived experience. Their stories reflect a broader reality: even as cannabis becomes big business, queer and trans people, especially those who are Black and Brown, are still targeted by outdated enforcement and criminalization.
“One of the reasons I love the queer community is we show up for one another,” says Jay Jackson, aka Laganja Estranja. “And I think the cannabis industry is seeing that now. Whether you’re white, Black, brown or anything in between, we have to show up as a community.”
The Bigger Picture
This project isn’t just a love letter, it’s a rallying cry. With over 575 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced across the U.S. in 2025 alone, Loud & Proud doubles as a call to action. The series challenges both cannabis consumers and companies to commit to equity, clemency, and LGBTQ+ leadership in the industry.
Culture Machine, whose past work includes the award-winning Hollywood Black, is on a mission to amplify marginalized voices and shake up the status quo. Their efforts are resonating: since launching its socials in 2023, the company has seen over 600% organic growth and reaches 2.3 million users monthly.
By pairing grassroots storytelling with top-tier talent, Loud & Proud doesn’t just celebrate queer cannabis history, it insists on a future that’s even bolder.
