Cool Marijuana Documentaries
As the cannabis industry grows and more and more states look to legalization, media and research on weed are on the rise too. In the last few years marijuana documentaries have come into abundance, and the majority make for an informative and entertaining watch. If you’re looking to learn more about weed, then check out our comprehensive list of cool marijuana documentaries below.
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Top 10 Cannabis Documentaries
1. The Culture High (2014)
The Culture High is an in-depth look into legalization, with a focus on shifting perceptions in North America. With a brief history of the failed war on drugs and why cannabis was first made illegal in the first place, this marijuana documentary takes viewers through the key issues surrounding cannabis legalization.
According to The Culture High website: “[the documentary is a] riveting story that tears into the very fibre of modern day marijuana prohibition to reveal the truth behind the arguments and motives governing both those who support and those who oppose the existing pot laws.”
It also features seminal interviews with law-enforcers, doctors and famous stoners like Snoop Dog, Wiz Khalifa and Joe Rogan. If you’re an advocate for legalization, then it’s well worth checking out this documentary to get a firmer grasp of all the facts.
2. Weed the People (2018)
The Weed the People documentary is a comprehensive look at medical marijuana and the plethora of uses and benefits it can have in the medical world. Criminalisation of the plant has meant for many years, thousands didn’t have access to a potentially life changing remedy. Fortunately, however, that’s changing. This documentary takes you through several case studies of individuals whose lives have been changed thanks to medicinal qualities of the sacred cannabis plant.
3. Grass is Greener (2019)
Grass is Greener, exclusively available on Netflix, delves into the racial bias surrounding criminalisation of cannabis. Taking viewers through the intertwined history of the plant with jazz musicians and the music industry in general, it also shines a light on the influence marijuana has had on music and culture over the years.
4. A NORML Life (2011)
A NORML Life portrays the handwork of those individuals involved in bringing cannabis legalization to North America. The National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is a grassroots initiative, founded back in the 1970s, that has diligently worked towards legalization of the plant over the past decades.
While focusing on the work of NORML, the documentary also takes us through the medical uses of cannabis as well as a detailed scientific look at exactly how it interacts with our mind and bodies.
If you want to acquire more technical information about the history of legalization as well as the scientific properties of weed, then this cool marijuana documentary is definitely one to watch.
5. The Union: The Business Behind Getting High (2007)
This one comes from the same makers of The Culture High, but focuses more on the business and economical side of the cannabis trade. The cannabis documentary gives viewers a broad understanding of all the different facets of the underground weed market, featuring interviews with growers, buyers, economists and police officers. Notably, it was made back before legalization in North America, so it’s one of the first mainstream films to provide comprehensive information of marijuana.
The film gets particularly interesting when it discusses the parallels between the modern day marijuana trade and alcohol prohibition back in the 1920s.
6. Clearing the Smoke: The Science of Cannabis (2011)
As the name suggests, Clearing the Smoke: The Science of Cannabis, has an emphasis on the plant’s medicinal properties. The film takes viewers through exactly how the plant interacts with the brain and body, and how these effects can be utilised for pain relief and the treatment of various ailments. Make sure you check out this cannabis documentary if you want to brush up on your scientific knowledge of weed.
7. Super High Me (2008)
Up there as one of the most well-known cool marijuana documentaries, Super High Me is a subversive parody of the hugely popular Super Size Me. Just like its predecessor, the film features a man (comedian Doug Benson) consuming cannabis every day for 30 days. Throughout the experiment, doctors and professionals carry out tests to see exactly what’s going on a physical and mental level. Check out the Super weed documentary to find out what those results were!
8. Weediquette (2016—)
Directed by Spike Jonze, Weediquette is a marijuana documentary series which first aired on Viceland. The show follows host, Krishna Andavolu, as he investigates the science and culture involved in legalization of marijuana. As well as being jam-packed with riveting information about weed, it’s also very entertaining to watch thanks to the wit and charisma of Andavolu. This cool marijuana documentary is essential viewing for every weed enthusiast.
9. Bong Appétit (2016—)
Bong Appétit is an elaborate cooking-dining show wherein each dish contains high-end cannabis-infused ingredients. The show takes you on a remarkable journey through the infinite possibilities of cannabis food, with celebrity guests and a variety notable chefs.
10. Reincarnated (2005)
In this classic stoner documentary, Snoop Dogg takes us with him as he explores the Rastafari faith in Jamaica. As the hip-hop icon discovers more about the culture, he creates a reggae inspired album and transforms into his new self: Snoop Lion.
Bonus Picks:
Rolling Papers (2015)
The Future of Weed: High Country (2013)
Breaking Habits (2019)
420: The Documentary (2013)
High Schooling
As you can see from the above list, there’s no shortage of cool marijuana documentaries to get your teeth into. And, naturally, the experience will be heightened if you watch them high. There’s something for everyone, and perhaps one of these even tops your list as the best marijuana documentary ever.
If you’re interested in learning more about marijuana and its effects, check out Is Weed Good For You and other articles from our cannabis science section.
