Denver CannaBabes Prohibition Posters – A Community Art Project

Project Overview

The Denver CannaBabes Prohibition Posters was a collaborative community-driven project that reimagined the infamous Reefer Madness-era propaganda through a modern lens.

Bringing together local cannabis influencers, advocates, and creatives, we recreated nine classic prohibition-era posters, infusing them with updated styles, bold storytelling, and an authentic representation of cannabis culture.

Objective

• Challenge outdated stigmas surrounding cannabis through visual storytelling.
• Celebrate the cannabis community by featuring real advocates and influencers.
• Blend vintage aesthetics with modern design techniques to create impactful, shareable artwork.

Process

1. Community Collaboration & Concept Development

• The project directors gathered a diverse group of 15 cannabis influencers to participate as models in the recreations.
• We analyzed original Reefer Madness posters, breaking down their composition, typography, and visual storytelling elements.
• Developed a creative direction that balanced homage to the originals while updating them for a contemporary audience.

2. Photoshoot & Content Curation

• Organized and executed nine different photoshoots, each capturing a scene inspired by a classic prohibition-era poster.
• Ensured that each shoot stayed true to the dramatic, exaggerated style of vintage propaganda.
• Curated the best images for graphic design execution.

3. Graphic Design & Poster Development

• Recreated the iconic prohibition-era poster styles, updating them with a refined, modern graphic design approach.
• Used era-appropriate typography, bold color schemes, and vintage textures while integrating updated visual elements.
• Maintained consistency across all nine posters, ensuring they worked as a cohesive series.

4. Finalization & Community Engagement

• Delivered high-resolution digital and print versions of each poster.
• Shared the posters across social media, fostering engagement within the cannabis community.
• Encouraged participants and audiences to use the posters as advocacy tools, sparking conversation about cannabis normalization.

Outcome

The Denver CannaBabes Prohibition Posters became a striking and widely shared project within the cannabis community, successfully blending art, advocacy, and nostalgia. By reclaiming prohibition-era imagery and redefining its narrative, we transformed outdated fear-based propaganda into a celebration of cannabis culture, empowerment, and progress.