Marijuana Documentaries, Netflix Shows & More - We Made The Ultimate List For You!
In the past decade, general perceptions towards cannabis and even jurisdictions in countries globally have shifted. It used to be looked down on and its medical effects were overlooked. Today, marijuana is available in various forms at regulated dispensaries with 33+ States in the US allowing patients access to Medical Marijuana. Marijuana laws in some States allow for recreational use.
Part of the reason why the general perception of marijuana changed drastically in a short period is because of the media. Different marijuana documentaries and influential films educated others about cannabis, thereby convincing voters to lead the change.
If you’re looking to relax and watch something or if you are trying to learn more about Medical Marijuana, we have compiled the top 20 marijuana documentaries to watch. There’s no limit to what you can learn from them. You can also check out the trailers in this ultimate guide before checking the documentary out.
1. The Culture High
The first on our list of films is Culture High, released in 2014. The documentary explores the legal situation of marijuana in the US and displays two sides of the story by interviewing experts, celebrities like Wiz Khalifa, and law enforcement workers. It also includes information on the War on Drugs. As it is directed by the award-winning director Brett Harvey, Culture High won different awards and is featured in film festivals.
2. Super High Me
Super High Me is one of the marijuana documentaries released significantly before there were any major changes in weed laws in the United States. The general perception of this documentary is that it was released to prove the public wrong. It was released in 2007 by comedian Doug Benson. In the film, he shared the results he achieved after consuming cannabis every day for 30 days. More people changed the way they looked at cannabis because of comedian Doug Benson and the 30 days experiment.
3. Grass
Grass is one of the earliest made documentaries on the cannabis industry, and it had a way wider reach than other early documentaries. Released in 1999, it is mostly made of archival footage that explored the history of cannabis, especially its illegality. It was first aired at the Toronto Film Festival.
The documentary is based on reputable cannabis historians including Jack Herer and emerged three years after the first law allowing cannabis for medical use was signed in California. The basis of Grass is that the illegality of cannabis is based on propaganda and racism.
4. Reincarnated
Next, we have Reincarnated, one of the most unique cannabis documentary films released. It is mostly based on Snoop Dogg and how he explored reggae and Rastafari practices. Heavy weed smoking is a part of these practices, so it featured this element. Even some critics stated that Reincarnated ‘features more weed than a pot-warming party at Bill and Ben’s’ and focuses less on Snoop Dogg.
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5. Rolling Papers
American Drug War: The Last White Hope was released in 2007 and combines elements of political cinema with the documentary. It is based on the judges, politicians, and other government workers in the United States discussing how to keep illegal drugs out of the country. It won multiple awards after its release.
6. Reefer Madness
Another one of the oldest cannabis documentaries you can find is Reefer Madness. It was initially released in 1936 as a propaganda and exploitation film, drawing on racial stereotypes. It focused on two high school students called Mary and Bill, and how they were dragged into the world of drugs.
7. American Drug War 1 & 2
American Drug War: The Last White Hope was released in 2007 and combines elements of political cinema with the documentary. It is based on the judges, politicians, and other government workers in the United States discussing how to keep illegal drugs out of the country. It won multiple awards after its release.
8. Weed The People
Weed the People is a 2018 documentary film by director Abby Epstein, focusing on the medical aspects of marijuana. The documentary is an exposition of families that treat their children who are ill with cancer, with medical marijuana. This is after scientists had discovered the anti-cancer properties of marijuana. And, Weed the People presented some impressive results.
9. Grass Is Greener
One of the most recent weed documentaries is Grass is Greener which first aired on Netflix in 2019. The main character of this documentary is Fab Five Freddy, a well-known name in hip hop and pop culture. It includes interviews with celebrities like Snoop Dogg, influencers, lawyers, and those that were affected by drug convictions, only for the drug to become legal afterward.
10. A NORML Life
Released in 2011, A Norml Life focuses on the medical part of cannabis and not the recreational. It brings its focus to patients, caregivers, and doctors rather than famous names and public servants. The title of the movie is an abbreviation of the National Organization of the Reform for Marijuana Laws, directed by Rod Pitman.
11. The Union: The Business Behind Getting High
The Union: The Business Behind Getting High is another of the cannabis documentaries directed by Brett Harvey. It focuses on the previously illegal yet multi-billion dollars cannabis industry that was in Canada, with the main characters being Tommy Chong and Joe Rogan. It won a lot of awards and is most likely one of the best marijuana documentaries with the most accurate information.
12. Clearing the Smoke: The Science of Cannabis
Next, we have the popular documentary, Clearing the Smoke: The Science of Cannabis. Unlike most documentaries, this one focuses on the actual science behind medical marijuana. It educates the water on how the chemical compound in cannabis can interact with the brain and treat different diseases.
Click here to view Clearing The Smoke full documentary via Youtube.
13. Breaking Habits Documentary
Breaking Habits documentary offers quite an interesting storyline, and was released in 2018. It is also on Netflix. It follows the story of Christine Meeusen who is cheated on by her husband and left penniless with three young children. She decided to start cannabis farming which is lucrative and now, she wants to give her products to those in need.
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14. CNN's Weed
One of the most top films on the cannabis industry is Weed, done by CNN. Specifically, it is called a Special Report by Dr. Sanjay Gupta. It explores the current marijuana laws and medical marijuana purposes and impact. It was aired in 2013 and includes stories of patients who benefited from the medical value of cannabis or simply changed their mindset, and is one of the best marijuana films.
15. The Legend Of 420
The Legend of 420 is a comedy documentary released in 2017. It looks through the controversial issue of using cannabis and follows the way people’s perceptions were changing when it came to marijuana. It also looks at the efforts taken today to decriminalize marijuana. In summary, it follows the progression of the marijuana industry.
16. Strain Hunters
We also have Strain Hunters on our list. The documentary series acts more like an informative program and not an expository one to help people better understand cannabis and its effects. It also follows the mission to preserve cannabis as vulnerable land spaces from some of the poorest places around the world. RIP Franco! ;(
17. Emperor Of Hemp: Jack Herer
Next is Lynching Charlie Lynch which is one of the most popular marijuana documentaries one can find. The film was released in 2011 and follows the life of Charlie Lynch, a man operating a medical marijuana dispensary in California. He later became a target of a federal investigation and faces risks of paying different penalties.
Click here to view Emperor Of Hemp: Jack Herer trailer via Youtube.
18. Lynching Charlie Lynch
Next is Lynching Charlie Lynch which is one of the most popular marijuana documentaries one can find. The film was released in 2011 and follows the life of Charlie Lynch, a man operating a medical marijuana dispensary in California. He later became a target of a federal investigation and faces risks of paying different penalties.
Click here to view Lynching Charlie Lynch trailer via Youtube.
19. The Future of Weed: High Country
This cannabis film focuses on the cannabis scene in the UK, following the research of two filmmakers across the country. It goes really deep in the history and concludes with the reasons for prohibitions, and how cannabis can hurt some while there is clear evidence that it helps others.
20. When We Grow - This Is What We Can Do
This cannabis film focuses on the cannabis scene in the UK, following the research of two filmmakers across the country. It goes really deep in the history and concludes with the reasons for prohibitions, and how cannabis can hurt some while there is clear evidence that it helps others.
If you think we have left out a documentary, show, or movie that needs to be included please feel free to leave us a comment. While some of these documentaries and movies include elements of pop culture, others are old-fashioned and include interesting information about propaganda elements that have been used in the history of marijuana. We hope this raises awareness for cannabis in the US and other places around the world.
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Trusted Doctors, discounted prices, same-day availabilities & more. Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card today.
Looking To Get A Medical Marijuana Card?
The Benefits Include:
- Priority Patient Access
- Higher Quality Standards
- Stronger Potency Products
- Medical Access For Minors
- Higher Possession Limits
- Additional Legal Protection
- Select States Allow Growing
- Pay Less Sales Tax
These benefits also apply in States where recreational marijuana is legalized or decriminalized.
