The Austin Chronicle recently premiered the true crime documentary The Cornbread Mafia at SXSW, detailing the story of the largest domestic marijuana syndicate in U.S. history. Directed by Evan Mascagni and Drew Morris, the film chronicles the exploits of Kentucky farmers Joe Keith Bickett, Jimmy Bickett, Bobby Joe Shewmaker, and Johnny Boone.

The Rise of the Cornbread Mafia

The documentary begins in the fall of 1978, with Joe Keith Bickett recounting the group’s first run-in with law enforcement. After their crops were burned and associates arrested, Bickett managed to evade capture. “Big fat-ass sheriffs,” he laughs in the film, recalling the chase.

A Clever Harvest

Following a close call where sheriffs attempted to destroy their remaining crop, the group cleverly harvested a 5-acre field while officers were distracted by a boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Leon Spinks. They successfully removed the crop before the police returned, leaving only a single plant as a defiant symbol.

Context and Origins

The Cornbread Mafia explores the social and political climate of the time, including the hippie movement, the return of Vietnam veterans, and growing disillusionment with the government. This backdrop fueled the rise in marijuana popularity, as highlighted by a clip of President Nixon declaring drug abuse “America’s public enemy No. 1.”

Camouflage and Community Support

Bobby Joe Shewmaker, a veteran, played a crucial role in the syndicate’s success. He devised a method of growing marijuana within cornfields, using the tall stalks as camouflage – a tactic that earned them the nickname “The Cornbread Mafia.” Initially, marijuana possession was treated as a minor offense, and the group’s activities even stimulated the local economy, with profits circulating within the community and even benefiting the local church.

Downfall and Sentencing

Despite initial leniency, arrests became more frequent, and the Cornbread Mafia expanded its operations to other states. Law enforcement appealed to the community for information, but residents remained silent. The syndicate was eventually apprehended after a farm in Minnesota was discovered, leading to the exposure of their entire network.

Years Behind Bars

Joe Keith Bickett received a 25-year sentence, Jimmy Bickett and Johnny Boone were sentenced to 20 years, and Bobby Joe Shewmaker received 30 years. During his imprisonment, Joe Keith Bickett studied law and assisted fellow inmates, many of whom later received clemency or reduced sentences. However, Bickett himself was not granted the same relief.

Legacy and Reunion

After serving their sentences, all members of the Cornbread Mafia have been released and reunited with their families. They emerged into a world where cannabis is increasingly legalized. The documentary’s premiere at SXSW offered a surreal moment for both the filmmakers and attendees, including Elizabeth Bradshaw, who had the opportunity to meet Joe Keith Bickett. Bradshaw reflects that the story is a reminder of the contributions of those who paved the way for today’s cannabis industry.