Roots & Reefer Documentary Premieres October 23: An Inside Look at Arkansas Medical Marijuana
Arkansas Cannabis History in the Making
You might've heard about a film project that I've been directing in the background over the course of 2025. Now, the day has finally come to announce that Roots & Reefer: The Arkansas Cannabis Story, a 37-minute short documentary, will premiere on YouTube on October 23, 2025, at 8:30 PM on the Roots & Reefer YouTube channel.
Behind the Scenes: Years in the Making
This groundbreaking project was only made possible through years of hard work at The Source, building relationships with our vendors so they would open their doors to my crew and me—armed with film cameras and microphones—something that has never been done before in Arkansas.
I have to admit that it makes me nervous to finally share it, but I believe deep down that viewers will love it—and hopefully it will become a resource—something to share with friends or loved ones who still hold a stigma against medical cannabis—something to share with fellow ARMMJ enthusiasts, finally getting to see behind the doors of the brands they've been shopping with for over six years now.
A Resource for Education and Understanding
This documentary aims to serve multiple purposes within the Arkansas medical marijuana (ARMMJ) community:
- Breaking stigma: A shareable resource for those with loved ones who question medical cannabis
- Industry transparency: Giving patients an inside look at the brands they've supported for over six years
- Educational value: Documenting Arkansas's unique cannabis cultivation landscape
Key Interviews and Collaboration
Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Partnership
I owe a great deal of gratitude to Christy Bjornson and Chip Liebovich from the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), who opened the doors to their offices and gave me the anchor interviews that I needed to make this film work. Their regulatory perspective provides crucial context for understanding the state's medical marijuana program.
Original Score by Rochelle Bradshaw
The film's original score was created by my dear friend and Brand Ambassador to The Source, Rochelle Bradshaw. Without this powerhouse music, the film wouldn't be able to capture the hearts of audiences the way I know it will.
Bringing the Vision to Life
The experience of making the film was mesmerizing. My team—Allie, Neto, Carina, and Toño—worked hard to realize my vision of telling the Arkansas cannabis story as a single narrative with many voices. Jaymie contributed essential work on web content creation and subtitling to make the documentary accessible to all viewers.
Arkansas Medical Marijuana: A Unique Story
Arkansas's medical marijuana program operates under a distinctive framework that sets it apart from other states. This documentary explores that landscape, taking viewers behind the doors of cultivation facilities and into conversations with the people shaping the industry.
For ARMMJ patients and enthusiasts who have been shopping with these brands for over six years, Roots & Reefer offers the first-ever behind-the-scenes look at how their medicine is produced.
How to Watch the Premiere
Date: October 23, 2025
Time: 8:30 PM Central Time
Where: Roots & Reefer YouTube Channel
Runtime: 37 minutes
Subscribe for Exclusive Content
Go ahead and subscribe to the Roots & Reefer YouTube channel—we've uploaded some teasers in the meantime—moments we loved, but didn't make the final cut of the documentary.
Join the Watch Party
Don't forget to mark your calendars and buy some popcorn! Let's watch this film together from the comfort of our own homes on October 23 at 8:30 PM—see you in the chat!
The Importance of Cannabis Documentation
Roots & Reefer represents more than just a film about Arkansas's medical marijuana industry—it's a historical document capturing a pivotal moment in our state's relationship with cannabis. As the industry continues to evolve, this documentary preserves the stories, faces, and cultivation practices that have defined Arkansas's medical marijuana program.
For patients, advocates, and anyone curious about the realities of medical cannabis production in Arkansas, this premiere offers an educational opportunity that's never been available before.
About The Source Craft Cannabis Company
The Source is a craft cannabis dispensary and apothecary located in Rogers, Arkansas, serving the Northwest Arkansas medical marijuana community. Known for quality products and patient education, The Source has been building relationships within Arkansas's cannabis industry since the program's inception.
Watch the premiere: October 23, 2025, at 8:30 PM on the Roots & Reefer YouTube channel.
Amanda Strickland is the CEO at The Source Apothecary and director of Roots & Reefer.
