Actors Mía Maestro, Quincy Isaiah, and Jeff Kober have been tapped for lead roles in the upcoming marijuana incarceration drama, “Pound for Pound”. The film will be directed by Jessie Kahnweiler and produced by RYOT Films and Sugar23, with sales set to launch at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival through Paradigm Talent Agency.
“Pound for Pound” tells the story of a young boxer, played by Isaiah, who gets caught up in the world of illegal marijuana growing and is subsequently incarcerated. Maestro will play a marijuana activist and Kober will play a prison guard who is sympathetic to the protagonist’s plight.
Kahnweiler, known for her award-winning web series “The Skinny”, wrote the script based on her own experiences visiting her father in prison for marijuana-related offenses.
The film will tackle issues such as racial injustice, the War on Drugs, and the impact of marijuana legalization on communities that have been disproportionately affected by drug-related arrests and incarcerations.
RYOT Films co-founder and CEO Bryn Mooser said in a statement, “We’re thrilled to be working with Jessie Kahnweiler and this incredible cast to bring this important story to life. As we see marijuana legalization become more common across the country, it’s crucial to examine the lasting effects of decades of criminalization on individuals and communities.”
The project is being produced by RYOT Films, Sugar23, and Sunset Junction Entertainment, with producers including Mooser, Molly Conners, and Sarah Anthony.
The release date for “Pound for Pound” has not been announced yet, but it is expected to hit theaters in 2024.