Since the dawn of time, man has cultivated and consumed cannabis around the world. However, this plant has been politicized and stigmatized in the United States for the last 100 years. When cannabis was legalized in New York State in 2021, I decided to create a documentary about how we got here. 

In the film, I present a timeline illustrated by a huge collection of 1970s marijuana memorabilia left behind by my stepfather Frank Fioramonti when he passed unexpectedly in 2015. His collection included period posters, buttons, rolling papers, photos, newspaper clippings and more. The collection serves as a colorful template for this pop culture history from the 1960s and 1970s. 

The timeline starts as early as 600 BC in China, and in time, spreads around the globe. Did you know that George Washington and Abe Lincoln are said to have both smoked the plant rather than imbibe alcohol?

Frank was an impressive young lawyer who wanted to be the people’s advocate right out of law school. At the time, men of color across the country were being arrested at a rate four times higher than white offenders for the same marijuana charges. That was unacceptable to Frank, and he was propelled to right this social injustice.

In 1970 in New York City, Frank was soon hired by NORML NY, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. He was to be one of two attorneys who would rewrite unjust, adult-use marijuana laws. 

Educating the public became crucial, because propaganda films like “Reefer Madness” in 1936 had a huge negative, fearful effect on public perception for decades. NORML diligently reshaped public perception by showing the actual film to dispel the misinformation at question-and-answer discussions afterward, clarifying fact from fiction for audiences. 

For seven years the group lobbied the NYS Legislature, advocating for decriminalization for possession, use and sales. In 1977, because of NORML’s committed work, marijuana was decriminalized in NYS. It would take 44 more years to eventually become legalized. 

This documentary is not an advocacy piece but rather a sober look at this ancient agricultural crop, its properties and uses. It is not only a recreational drug; cannabis is also used for a myriad of medical applications. Legalization in New York brought in $436 million last year in tax revenue and normalized consumption across the state. 

Baked into the state’s legalization law is a provision that revenue from New York cannabis sales is invested into communities most harmed by historic criminalization. It was decided that reparations were due to the communities that were unfairly targeted for several decades. Frank would have been so proud of the thoughtful crafting of the law and of those who worked relentlessly to get New York State legalization passed.

Come experience “Cannabis: From Demonization to Legalization” at the Narrowsburg Union Digital Gallery at 7 Erie Ave. Running now through August, it is an immersive experience with period music and offers a clear understanding of how this plant was demonized and then finally legalized in New York. Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is shown on a 20-minute continuous loop.

Admission is free. 

Brandi Merolla is an art activist who has shown her multi-media installations at The Union Digital Gallery for the past two years. Justice is the common theme of her documentaries.