Evan Mascagni & Joe Keith Bickett on the Myth, Injustice, and Legacy of The Cornbread Mafia

Louisville filmmaker Evan Mascagni and author Joe Keith Bickett sit down with Kyle Meredith to dig into the wild, complicated true story behind the Cornbread Mafia — the so-called “unorganized” group of Kentucky farm boys who became one of the biggest marijuana operations in the country. Bickett, who served more than 20 years in prison and later wrote three memoirs reclaiming the narrative, talks about the myths, the media frenzy, and the draconian sentences handed down during the height of the War on Drugs — including how nonviolent marijuana charges landed him and others decades behind bars. Mascagni, whose new documentary on the Cornbread Mafia premieres at SXSW, explains why the story feels especially urgent now in an era of legalization, and how the film balances outlaw legend with real human cost. It’s a conversation about injustice, reinvention, Southern storytelling, and what happens when the “Godfather of Grass” era collides with modern cannabis culture.

Show your support for Kyle Meredith With by making sure to like, review, and subscribe to KMW wherever you get your podcasts, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy