In the 1930s, the U.S. government launched one of its most infamous anti-cannabis campaigns, epitomized by the 1936 propaganda film Reefer Madness. Originally titled Tell Your Children, the film portrayed marijuana as a dangerous drug that led to violence, insanity, and moral corruption. Backed by sensationalist media and fueled by racial and political agendas, this campaign helped demonize cannabis in the public eye. The hysteria surrounding Reefer Madness directly influenced the passage of the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act, which effectively criminalized cannabis in the United States. This period entrenched decades of stigma, misinformation, and harsh laws against cannabis use—echoes of which are still felt in modern drug policy debates today.
REEFER MADNESS
VITABUDZ x FYS EXCLUSIVE
Multidisciplinary artist and creative director Sam Edwards (FYS) teamed up with Brooklyn-based cannabis brand Vitabudz to collaborate on an exclusive Reefer Madness drop. The collaboration takes inspiration from the 1930s propaganda era of Reefer Madness, when fearmongering films and racialized politics fueled the demonization of cannabis, laying the groundwork for decades of stigma and criminalization.
In the heart of Flatbush, long before New York legalized adult-use cannabis, two brothers were quietly laying the groundwork for what would become one of the state’s most forward-thinking cannabis brands. Vitabudz, co-founded by Julian and Rich Murray, wasn’t born out of a trend—it was born out of necessity. For them, cannabis was more than a product; it was a culture, a community, and a tool for empowerment.
What started as an advocacy and consulting firm designed to educate communities and promote safe access has since transformed into a full- fledged brand and cultural platform. Today, Vitabudz is sourcing premium sun-grown cannabis, creating clean and effects-based products like their High Terpene Extract–infused gummies, and building a community where farmers, advocates, and enthusiasts can share their stories.
But Vitabudz is more than just a product line—it’s a vision for how cannabis can shape the future of New York. As a minority-owned business rooted in sustainability and regeneration, their mission is as much about people as it is about plants. They’re reimagining what it means to be a cannabis brand, blending culture, science, and storytelling into one evolving ecosystem.
About Vitabudz
