Film Review: Grassland Is A Stunner

William Bermudez and Sam Friedman’s *Grassland* is a gripping social
justice drama that transports viewers back to 2008, a year marked by the
financial crisis and the height of America’s punitive War On Drugs. The
film tells the story of how a Latina single mom, Sofia (Mía Maestro) grows
cannabis in the basement of her rented apartment to make ends meet for her
and her young son, Leo (Ravi Cabot-Conyers). Their lives take a dramatic
turn when their new neighbor, John (Jeff Kober), a retired cop, moves into
the building and his grandson befriends Leo. Tension escalates as John’s
suspicions about Sofia’s activities grow, threatening to unravel her
precarious world.

Cabot-Conyers delivers an endearing performance as Leo, whose wide-eyed
innocence provides a stark contrast to the harsh realities of his life.
Meanwhile, Kober plays John with depth; his character is shaped by his own
biases and regrets, making him both antagonist and victim of systemic
failure while raising his grandson Tom alone.

Sofia’s story feels real and raw. She’s not portrayed as a criminal, but as
a mother doing what she must to care for her child during rough times.
Maestro’s performance captures Sofia’s struggles perfectly, showing her
strength and vulnerability. Her basement grow operation isn’t
glamorous—it’s a lifeline—and yet it puts her at risk in a society that
punished people harshly for even small amounts of cannabis.

The film also highlights how unfairly cannabis laws were enforced almost
two decades ago. In 2008, Black and Latino communities were
disproportionately targeted the most, facing much higher arrest rates than
white people for marijuana possession. These disparities are embodied in
Brandon (Quincy Isaiah), Sofia’s friend who helps care for Leo but avoids
deeper involvement in her operation due to his own criminal record—a
chilling reminder of how even minor offenses can derail lives. *Grassland*
is more than a film about cannabis; it’s about survival, injustice and the
real painful human cost of systemic racial profiling.

What makes *Grassland* hit home today is how much has changed—and how far
we still must go. Cannabis legalization has spread across the US, with 24
states and Washington, DC, legalizing adult use. Main Street dispensaries
sell products legally that once sent people to prison (and still do in some
states). Yet, thousands are still locked up for non-violent
cannabis-related convictions, some serving long sentences for small amounts
of weed. Groups such as Freedom Grow, 40 Tons and the Last Prisoner Project
are working to free these individuals, but progress is slow.

Society’s view of cannabis has changed dramatically since 2008. Back then,
only about 30 percent of Americans supported legalization; now, according
to a 2024 Pew research poll, 88 percent of US adults say cannabis should be
legal for medical or adult use. It’s a booming industry, with the US market
size estimated at $38.50 billion in 2024. Yet despite this cultural change,
systemic barriers persist, particularly for those whose lives were upended
by prohibition-era policies. *Grassland* reminds us that justice means more
than changing laws. It means clearing records, freeing prisoners and
helping those hurt by the War On Drugs rebuild their lives.
Quincy Isaiah’s character Brandon, highlights the injustices and painful
human cost of racial profiling by the police and others.

*Grassland* never loses focus on its principal message: Cannabis
prohibition ruined lives. Sofia’s story represents that of countless others
who were punished for doing things that are now legal—even profitable. By
revisiting the dark days of 2008 through Sofia’s eyes, the film challenges
us to not only reflect on how far we’ve come, but also to acknowledge how
much further we must go to right the wrongs of the past.

With its thoughtful storytelling and nuanced performances, *Grassland*
serves as both a time capsule of a broken system and a call to action for
justice in the present day. For anyone interested in cannabis advocacy or
social justice, this film is a must. It challenges us to think about what
justice means, and how it remains elusive for so, so many.

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