FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
"'Free Jon Peditto' should be a rallying
cry across the nation."
HOLLYWOOD
(November 2) The producers of the independent gonzo comedy film High
There this morning announced their support for the campaign to free jailed
cannabis activist Jon Peditto.
Peditto, a New Jersey photographer and gardener,
was found guilty Thursday of maintaining a drug production facility for growing
17 marijuana plants. He's now jailed in
Ocean County, facing a mandatory sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison.
Peditto admits growing the plants for his
personal use, and is challenging New Jersey's outdated drug laws. This morning, the High There team gathered to
pledge to raise awareness of the injustice and the fight to free Peditto.
"We're in a time when big business is using
the ballot to control marijuana production and distribution in Ohio, when the
benefits of medical marijuana are recognized and legalized in many states--
when four states have legalized marijuana for recreational use!" said
executive producer Sam Peters. "This is a ridiculous prosecution and a
cruel and unusual mandatory sentence.
"New Jersey is in the Reefer Madness era,
and whether that's because of publicity-seeking prosecutors or cynical
politicians like the governor (a leading critic of marijuana use), it's ruining
good people's lives," he added. "We shouldn't stand for it. 'Free Jon
Peditto' should be a rallying cry across the nation!"
High There's producer Burt Kearns and directors
and stars Wayne Darwen and Henry Goren stood
with Peters this morning, contributing to the defense fund and promising to use
their platform to keep attention on the case.
Darwen and Kearns are longtime colleagues of
Peditto's father, the acclaimed, award-winning journalist, television producer
and filmmaker John Parsons Peditto.
The BRINKvision film High There is rooted in activism, focusing on the case of Roger
Christie, the founder of Hawaii's THC Church, who was arrested on marijuana
possession and trafficking charges and jailed for four years without trial.
Roger Christie was released to house arrest days
after High There's premiere.
The High There team is gaining a reputation for
its political activism. In October, directors Darwen and Henry Goren were in
Santa Monica, California, helping lead a rally of hundreds of practitioners and
supporters of the Falun Gong movement.
Contributions to the John Peditto Defense Fund
can be made at Fundrzr.com.
FOR
INTERVIEWS, REVIEWS, PRESS MATERIALS, REVIEWS
CONTACT:
Sam Peters
goodstoryproductions@mac.com
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