10 Must-See Cannabis Documentaries

A large camera filming a scene full of cannabis plants

Documentaries are the perfect way to open people’s eyes, so it’s no surprise that there’s a whole series of high-quality documentaries about cannabis that dispel myths and half-truths. We have selected 10 of the best for you. Lights, camera, action!

A good documentary is a bit like the red pill in the Matrix: enlightening, revealing, real. After taking it, nothing will be the same again and you will see the world from an entirely new perspective. In times of fake news and “alternative truths”, blogs and videos are assuming an important role in the formation of opinions.

However, even for documentaries, it’s worth taking a closer look! Because every documentary is based on more than just facts; they also incorporate the motive of a director, who wants to create a particular response from his audience.

The following 10 films highlight cannabis from different perspectives and allow smokers, producers, scientists, doctors and politicians to have their say. Overall, they provide a clear overview of a controversial, misunderstood and political plant.

1. Grass – The History of Marijuana (1999)

Director: Ron Mann

Interesting fact: the narrator is the actor Woody Harrelson

“Grass – The History of Marijuana” is a good introductory film that offers a historical perspective on the plant and its use. Ron Mann relays serious information, but also understands the importance of conveying it in an entertaining manner.

This film demonstrates how cannabis was portrayed badly through targeted propaganda and the type of catastrophic consequences that are arising due to the war against drugs. The soundtrack, which includes a sprinkling of classics such as “Reefer Man” and “One Toke Over The Line“, was particularly appealing to us.

A man with a bunch of lit and unlit joints in his mouth

2. Super High Me (2007)

Director: Michael Blieden

Interesting fact: a parody of “Super Size Me” by stand-up comedian Doug Benson

Doug Benson’s answer to the film “Super Size Me” is one of the funniest documentaries there are about cannabis. “Super High Me” stays true to the original as Benson consumes cannabis non-stop for 30 days and takes various tests to check the effects on his body and mental wellbeing. Before the experiment, Benson abstained for a month.

3. The Union – The Business Behind Getting High (2007)

Director: Brett Harvey

Interesting fact: probably offers the most extensive overview of the industry there is

Perhaps the most informative cannabis documentary in history. We follow the scriptwriter Adam Scorgie through Canada and learn how exactly an illegal industry is able to exist. During “The Union”, everyone involved has the opportunity to have their say – from producers, criminologists, doctors, politicians and economists to leading figures in popular culture. The film looks at the subject of cannabis and says a lot about today’s society and its lack of freedom.

A test tube full of green smoking liquid against a grey background and two cannabis leaves

4. Clearing the Smoke: The Science of Cannabis (2011)

Director: Anna Rau

Interesting fact: focuses solely on medicinal cannabis

In her film, “Clearing The Smoke”, Anna Rau focuses on the medicinal aspects of cannabis. She illustrates how cannabis works and what symptoms of illness it can be used to fight. In the manner of a scientific feature, the film contains in-depth interviews with physicians, patients, researchers, as well as sceptics.

A DVD case with an apothecary bottle full of cannabis on the front

5. A NORML Life (2011)

Director: Rod Pitman

Interesting fact: highlights the legislation on medicinal cannabis in the USA

NORML is the acronym for the “National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws”, a US non-profit organisation based in Washington. The aim, as explained in the documentary, is for cannabis to be legalised.

“A NORML Life” provides the viewer with a good overview of medicinal cannabis in the USA. Attentive observers will know, of course, that a great deal has improved since the film was released.

A DVD case with a hand holding up a cannabis leaf against a blue sky background

6. When we grow, this is what we can do (2011)

Director: Seth Finegold

Interesting fact: one of the few European documentaries about cannabis

“When We Grow This is What We Can Do” is something like a shorter version of “The Union”, focusing on Great Britain. In his 50-minute film, Seth Finegold looks at many different aspects of cannabis – from industrially grown hemp to the origins of the prohibition, and from medicinal use to equipment for personal cultivation.

One of the experts speaking in the film is David Nutt, Head of the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs and former drugs advisor to the British government.

7. The Culture High (2014)

Director: Brett Harvey

Interesting fact: from the makers of “The Union”

An enthralling story with a sprinkling of famous faces such as Snoop Dog, Joe Rogan and Wiz Khalifa. This star power is supplemented with expert opinions and new research results. “The Culture High” questions the arguments of the legalisation opponents and uncovers their true motives. Brett Harvey breaks down the current cannabis ban like you might a house of cards. A film that’s not to be missed!

8. Weed I, II & III (2013 – 2015)

Director: CNN

Interesting fact: CNN’s DOC series

In 2013, Dr Sanjay Gupta recognised that he had been deceiving himself. As CNN’s medical correspondent, he is reported not to have looked into the medicinal effects of cannabis in sufficient detail and misled the public. When he shot “WEED”, he became acquainted with the plant’s medicinal uses and decided to come clean with viewers. Gupta switched from being an opponent to an advocate of cannabis.

9. GrassRoots: The Cannabis Revolution (2016)

Director: Dale Beaumont-Brown

Interesting fact: a British film funded by crowdfunding website Kickstarter

Thirty-year-old Clark French has multiple sclerosis (MS). Because he uses cannabis to fight the symptoms of his illness, he regularly comes into conflict with the law and exposes himself to a social stigma. The true strength of “GrassRoots The Cannabis Revolution” lies in its simplicity. Without all the razzle-dazzle, this film portrays ordinary people with an extraordinary amount of courage.

Graphic writing in green, yellow, and white with alien spaceships and planet earth in the background

10. The Legend of 420 (2017)

Director: Peter Spirer

Interesting fact: shows where the journey to legalisation is going

Part comedy, part documentary, Peter Spirer strikes the difficult balance between fun and seriousness. Because “The Legend of 420” covers a large number of topics, it can sometimes appear somewhat chaotic. The last third of the film, which focuses on the cannabis entrepreneurs and their new products, is particularly interesting. They answer the question of where the cannabis industry is headed.

There’s almost nothing as satisfying as watching a movie while stoned. So why not make your next stoner movie session a stoner documentary session? Get high and learn about cannabis – that sounds like the perfect way to spend an evening.

Are there any other cannabis documentaries that you have loved watching? Let us know if we missed any by leaving a comment!

Comments

16 thoughts on “10 Must-See Cannabis Documentaries”

  1. If some one wants expert view concerning blogging after that i recommend him/her to
    go to see this weblog, Keep up pleasant job.

  2. Mark Schulze

    We have our documentary “cannabis the story” coming out on 4/20/20 and you can see some footage and the trailer here at http://www.cannabisthestory . Also at http://www.nectarball
    Sensi seeds and 165 others are featured in the interviews. let us know what you think as we are still editing it as we speak. Thanks Mark 🙂 & Patty 🙂

  3. Here is another documentary film on Cannabis.

    Great Grass, Big Benefits!
    https://vimeo.com/318117846

  4. Grass Chief

    This documentary is very informative in order to gather knowledge about marijuana culture. Thanks for publishing such a list which will meet the quest of many marijuana readers.

  5. Put “the scientist” on this list. It covers the life and study made by Raphael Mechoulam discovering the cannabis compounds and the ecs. Very motivating

    1. Scarlet Palmer - Sensi Seeds

      Hi Erik,

      Thanks for your comment, we’ll check it out! Sounds really interesting. We hope you continue to enjoy the blog,

      With best wishes,

      Scarlet

  6. Has anyone seen the documentary where interviews are conducted in Amsterdam during the cannabis cup (coffee shops are also visited, i.e. Green House, Grey Area, et al), and if so, can you tell me the name of the movie/documentary?

    1. Was it ” Nederwiet docu” ? a documentary about origins of the coffeeshops in Amsterdam.

  7. Noel Johnston

    Project Storm is pretty awesome for UK viewers. Would love to get a showing of it put on in Belfast, add me on Facebook, Noel Johnzey Johnston. CISTA (Cannabis is Safer Than Alcohol)

  8. Tracy Rhein

    I’ve seen a few of these, need to watch the others, but I would add to this:
    -all three of Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s documentaries: Weed, Weed 2, and Weed 3.
    -I’d add “The Culture High”
    -Doug Benson’s follow up to Super High Me, “The Greatest Movie Ever Rolled”
    -Cannabis Country
    and then NBC just released a Dateline edition for Cannabis on June 7th called “Growing Hope” and it as well as Weed 1&2 focuses on Charlotte’s Web and the uses of CBD treating various ailments. (if you have any type of On Demand service, it should be on there *I provided the date because most don’t tell you what the episode is about so just look for the one aired on the 7th*)
    If you’re interested in Marijuana business, I’d check out the CNN TV series called “High Profits.” The season is over but you can find the full episodes on YouTube *I believe there are 10 all together about 45mins each*

    If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to let me know as I am a Cannabis enthusiast and love studying/researching this topic.

  9. Hey If you haven’t seen it check out the documentary Rick Simpsons Run From the Cure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khkEpKM93k8 It is a MUST SEE!

  10. I’ve seen some of these, but need to check out the others. Thanks for sharing! I found some weed jokes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4Wg8e0NkhU&list=PLiGtKsnt1S02hcWCuFoL2jL-RjjukqDAO&index=18

  11. Awesome list, thanks for putting this together! Any suggestions on recent documentaries in the last 3 years? 😀

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    Sensi Seeds

    The Sensi Seeds Editorial team has been built throughout our more than 30 years of existence. Our writers and editors include botanists, medical and legal experts as well as renown activists the world over including Lester Grinspoon, Micha Knodt, Robert Connell Clarke, Maurice Veldman, Sebastian Maríncolo, James Burton and Seshata.
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