Donated by the film’s director and producer, Hunter Bradshaw, the film documents the advocacy movement for the legalization of cannabis for adult recreation in Colorado leading up to the enactment of Colorado Amendment 64.

“Growing Reason” captures a milestone in Colorado’s history through the lens of political advocates and provides personal stories of how cannabis impacts of the lives of Coloradans. Narrated by Bradshaw, the documentary features interviews with cannabis industry insiders such as dispensary owners, the Marijuana Industry Group, and government officials including Colorado State Representatives Jonathan Singer and Frank McNulty.

Bradshaw produced the feature-length documentary with a very small budget after being approached by a group of recent film graduates from the University of Kansas interested in documenting the first several months of legal cannabis in Colorado. Filmed in over 90 locations from January to August 2014, "Growing Reason" was completed just in time to be entered into the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.

“This film is a valuable recording documenting the aftereffects of the passage of Amendment 64,” said Melynda Seaton, curator of photography. “Hunter Bradshaw’s donation contributes greatly to History Colorado’s collecting initiative to document contemporary events and people.”

This documentary adds to the ongoing work of History Colorado curatorial staff who are focused on contemporary collecting. In particular, they are seeking post-1945 materials that represent people, places, ideas and subjects critical to shaping who we are and what we value today, and what will be of interest to Coloradans in the future.

“Growing Reason” can be viewed online at https://vimeo.com/317484359. For information about the film or to see the full list of interviewees, see History Colorado’s online collection entry for “Growing Reason.”

About History Colorado
History Colorado’s mission is to create a better future for Colorado by inspiring wonder in our past. We serve as the state’s memory, preserving the places, stories and material culture of Colorado through the History Colorado Center and statewide Community Museums, educational programs, historic preservation grants, research library, collections and outreach to Colorado communities. Visit HistoryColorado.org, or call 303-HISTORY, for more information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Brooke Gladstone
Communications Manager
303-866-3670 | brooke.gladstone@state.co.us

To donate cannabis-related materials:
Melynda Seaton
Curator of Photography 
303-866-4697 | melynda.seaton@state.co.us