The 14 Best Cannabis Documentaries (Ranked 2024)

I couldn’t find a good list of cannabis documentaries. So I created one.

Here are the 14 best docs/docuseries on Cannabis I could find.

It’s easy to watch most of these pot docs. Two are on Netflix and I found free links for most the rest.

I’ll add more later.

Enjoy!

1) What if Cannabis Cured Cancer

“What if Cannabis Cured Cancer,” directed by Len Richmond, probes cannabis’s potential to combat cancer.

Released in 2010, this one-hour film is narrated by Emmy-winner Peter Coyote.

It investigates cannabinoids, the potent chemicals in cannabis.

The film details endocannabinoids, naturally occurring substances in humans.

These can engage cancer cells, potentially killing them safely. Key research cited includes a 1974-75 study by Dr. Albert Munson at the Medical College of Virginia.

It found THC slows the growth of lung, breast, and leukemia cancers. This significant discovery was suppressed due to the controversy over cannabis.

Dr. Manuel Guzman’s work demonstrates how THC induces apoptosis in brain tumors. Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death, crucial for eliminating tumors.

Dr. Donald Tashkin from UCLA presents research countering myths about cannabis harming lung health.

His findings suggest cannabis has a protective effect against lung cancer.

The doc is endorsed by medical authorities like Dr. Andrew Weil. Organizations such as the Marijuana Policy Project also support its message.

These endorsements highlight the film’s potential impact on medical and legal views on cannabis.

A comedic puppet short, “Kurt Cannabis Meets Connie Cancer,” voiced by Roseanne Barr and Malcolm McDowell, adds accessibility.

“What if Cannabis Cured Cancer” calls for more scientific research and legal reform regarding cannabis.

It positions cannabis as potentially significant in future medical treatments.

Watch it for free on:

2) The Union: The Business Behind Getting High

“The Union” is here to harsh your mellow about the business of bud. This joint – er, documentary – rolls deep into the seedy underbelly of the marijuana industry.

Director Brett Harvey decided to take a hit of investigative journalism and follow the money trail of Mary Jane. Turns out, it’s a pot of gold.

The film takes you on a trip from the grow-ops of BC to the coffeeshops of Amsterdam, exposing the high stakes and blunt realities along the way.

With appearances by celebs like Joe Rogan and Tommy Chong, “The Union” is like a cross between “Super Size Me” and a Cheech & Chong flick.

But beneath the smoke and jokes, it makes some pretty dank arguments about the hypocrisy and hazy logic of drug laws.

Sure, it’s a tad one-sided and might give you a serious case of the giggle fits. But it’ll also make you think twice about the real deal behind the devil’s lettuce.

Puff, puff, and pass the popcorn – this is one doob-ious documentary that’s worth taking a toke of your time for.

Watch it for free on YouTube here:

3) The Culture High

“The Culture High” is the sequel to “The Union” that nobody asked for, but everyone needs to see.

This time, director Brett Harvey takes a deep dive into the cultural and political buzz around the sticky icky.

And let me tell you, it’s a doozy.

It’s like a cross between a TED Talk and a Cypress Hill concert , with a sprinkle of “Reefer Madness” thrown in for good measure.

With a star-studded cast of cannabis connoisseurs, including Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, and Sir Richard Branson (yes, that Richard Branson), this documentary packs a punch.

But it’s not all just smoke and mirrors. “The Culture High” takes a hard-hitting look at the war on drugs and its impact on society.

From the racial disparities in drug arrests to the big business of Big Pharma, this film leaves no stoner unturned.

The film takes you on a journey from the streets of Colorado to the halls of Congress, exposing the half-baked policies and full-blown hypocrisy along the way.

But don’t worry, it’s not all serious business. There are plenty of giggles and you might need them to get through some of the more mind-bending parts of the doc.

Watch “it on:”The Culture High” on Amazon’s Prime Video and also (for free) on Roku, Tubi, PlutoTV (owned by Paramount+) and Freevee. Full streaming options are at https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-culture-high

4) Black Market Marijuana (Trafficked With Mariana Van Zeller)

We thought legalizing pot would fix everything, right? Nope. It turns out, it’s more like throwing gas on the fire.

Welcome to California, where weed shops pop up faster than avocado toast in a hipster café. Mariana van Zeller dives deep into this mess, and boy, it’s wild.

We start in L.A., cruising by dispensary after dispensary. You’d think they’re legit, but here’s the kicker: most aren’t.

Enter NNERG, our guide to the $5 gram.

Yep, five bucks. While the state’s legal joints get hammered with taxes, NNERG dishes out budget buds, undercutting the pricey legals without breaking a sweat.

Now, take a ride with us up north. The scenery’s great—until you realize it’s not just redwoods growing out there.

Hidden in the green expanse, illegal farms churn out tons of weed, barely touched by the law. Penalties?

A slap on the wrist. Risky? Sure, but the payoff’s too sweet to pass up.

Van Zeller’s journey isn’t just a trip through the underbrush. It’s a look at the people tangled in the green.

We meet Buddy, the old-school grower not loving the new rules. Big business is squeezing out the little guys, and Buddy’s not having it.

This doc is an eye-opener. It shows us that California’s plan to squash the black market with legalization isn’t just failing—it’s backfiring big time.

We’re left with a booming illegal trade that’s tougher than ever. It’s a wild ride through the highs and lows of the weed biz, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon.

Watch it for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5GbodqKVT8; or (India version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkyV0MTkmQQ

5) The Scientist: Are We Missing Something?

“The Scientist: Are We Missing Something?” takes us on a trip, right into the world of Dr. Raphael Mechoulam (who died in 2023). They call him the godfather of cannabis research, and wow, does he live up to the title.

Picture this: It’s the 1960s, and Mechoulam’s on a bus, not your average commute though.

He’s got 5 kilos of hash in his bag, headed to the lab. Feels like a scene from a thriller, but it’s all in the name of science.

That ride? It changed everything. That’s when Mechoulam first identified THC, the stuff in weed that gets you high.

But wait, it gets deeper. Fast forward a couple of decades, and he’s uncovering how THC talks to the body’s endocannabinoid system—yeah, we have one of those.

Turns out, our brains make their own version of cannabis. Call it internal bliss, thanks to something called anandamide. Mind blown yet?

Mechoulam’s not your typical scientist. He’s a trailblazer, pushing boundaries in a field most were too skittish to touch.

His work’s monumental, diving deep into how cannabis impacts everything from our health to how fast a baby bonds with mom.

Despite his massive contributions, Mechoulam’s name isn’t in the mainstream.

This doc, directed by Zach Klein, aims to change that. It’s a heartfelt, eye-opening look at the man behind major scientific discoveries, set against the backdrop of prohibition and stigma.

“The Scientist” isn’t just for the science buffs; it’s for anyone curious about the unsung heroes of medical research.

Mechoulam’s story is a call to rethink everything we thought we knew about one of the world’s most controversial plants.

Watch “The Scientist” for free on YouTube here by clicking the video embed above or going here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csbJnBKqwIw

Check here to see if other streaming options for “The Scientist” get added: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-culture-high

6) Lynching Charlie Lynch

“Lynching Charlie Lynch” is a documentary that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about the war on drugs.

This doc follows the story of Charlie Lynch, a small-town medical marijuana dispensary owner.

Despite playing by the rules of California’s legal medical marijuana program, Charlie was raided by the DEA and faced decades in prison.

It’s like a real-life episode of “Law & Order”.

But instead of solving crimes, the cops are busting down the doors of a guy trying to help cancer patients.

The doc takes us behind the scenes of Charlie’s legal battle.

It exposes the absurdity of a system that treats marijuana as a dangerous drug while letting Big Pharma run wild.

But don’t let the heavy subject matter fool you – this film has plenty of moments that will make you laugh, cry, and shake your head in disbelief.

From the eccentric cast of characters in Charlie’s hometown to the legal dream team that takes on his case, “Lynching Charlie Lynch” is a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

At its core, this documentary is a story about the human cost of the war on drugs.

Watch it for free on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRZ_7m85Uvg. Check back here for other streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/lynching-charlie-lynch

7) Stoned in Suburbia

“Stoned in Suburbia,” directed by Chris Martin, is a 43-minute deep dive into Britain’s evolving cannabis culture.

It starts in the 60s, with the sexual revolution, then jumps to the punk era, and lands in modern suburbia.

This documentary isn’t just historical; it’s personal, showing how cannabis has been a quiet rebel at the party through the decades.

Chris Martin captures the essence of each era with vivid storytelling.

The music is better than in most cannabis docs.

If you want to understand how a plant has shaped social norms and stirred controversies, this is a good watch.

Watch “Stoned in Suburbia” for free on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf1Zo8XMKdU (that’s part 1 and the other parts will be in the right-hand rail of the YouTube page).

8) American Drug War 2: Cannabis Destiny

“American Drug War 2: Cannabis Destiny” hits hard. It’s 2013, and director Kevin Booth brings us this gripping sequel.

In 90 minutes, Booth plunges into the cutting edge of cannabis research.

He’s not just observing; he’s in the trenches, becoming a foster parent to a child mandated to take heavy-duty drugs.

Here’s the real shocker: a two-year-old boy, post-brain surgery, comatose, not eating for over 40 days.

Funeral plans are drawn.

Then, a desperate, secret move by his parents. Cannabis in his feeding tube. And what do you know? The boy recovers.

This isn’t just a film; it’s a battle cry against the casualties of America’s longest war—the kids.

From Mexico’s cartel lands to a child taken from his mom for her marijuana use, Booth questions: is this a conspiracy or just profit keeping cannabis in the shadows?

Watch this. It’s about the small warriors in a huge fight, and it challenges everything we think we know about cannabis and the war on drugs.

Watch “American Drug War 2: Cannabis Destiny” for free on Tubi, Roku, Freevee, PlexTV and more. Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/american-drug-war-2-cannabis-destiny

9) Waiting to Inhale

“Waiting to Inhale,” directed by Jed Riffe in 2005, covers the fiery debate on medical marijuana in the U.S.

This 73-minute doc pulls you into the lives of patients battling cancer, HIV/AIDS, and chronic pain.

They are all seeking relief through cannabis.

Riffe doesn’t shy away from complexity.

He brings us face-to-face with doctors, patients, politicians, and activists. You’ll hear from those who advocate for medical marijuana and those against it.

It’s a battleground, with personal stories at the heart.

The film also tackles the tug-of-war between state laws allowing medical use and federal laws that ban cannabis.

It asks tough questions about patient rights, the role of government in medicine, and the need for scientific research.

Watch it by renting it on Amazon. Check here for that and future steaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/waiting-to-inhale

10) Grass

Ron Mann’s 1999 doc “Grass” is an 80-minut history of cannabis.

From ancient civilizations to the modern era.

Mann recounts how it’s been medicine, recreation, and spiritual aid.

Woody Harrelson provides the voiceover.

I think Woody likes to gets high.

The doc showcases the absurdity of anti-cannabis propaganda.

It highlights the hypocrisy of drug laws.

The doc also explores the counterculture of the 60s. How cannabis became a symbol of rebellion. It touches on the War on Drugs.

If you want a primer on Cannabis, there’s not a better doc I know of.

“Grass” is free to watch on Kanopy (with student ID or library card) at https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/grass It’s also for rent on Amazon and Apple TV for $$. Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/grass

11) Grass is Greener

Grass is Greener by Fab 5 Freddy is a Netflix 2019 doc that covers America’s history of cannabis prohibition.

The doc’s release date was April 20, 2019 (4/20 — get it?).

The 97-minute doc features interviews with Snoop Dogg, B-Real from Cypress Hill as well as attorneys and advocates.

Freddy himself (a pot advocate) is interviewed a bunch.

The doc exposes marijuana laws’ racist origins.

Freddy shows how policies harm communities of color.

He starts with early Black stars who were targeted. Like jazz icons Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday.

And he shows how racist policies fueled unfair persecution. Mass incarceration and racial disparities in convictions persist to this day.

The War on Drugs and its devastating consequences are coverd.

A vibrant hip-hop soundtrack accompanies Freddy’s personal journey.

The playlist might be better than the doc:

  • Reefer Man – Cab Calloway
  • All The Jive Is Gone – Andy Kirk
  • Here Comes the Man with the Jive – Sweet Megg & The Wayfarers
  • Light Up – Buster Bailey
  • Knockin’ Myself Out (feat. Big Bill Broonzy) – Lil Green
  • If You’re A Viper (2004 Remastered) – Fats Waller
  • Legalize It – Peter Tosh
  • Smokin’ Cheeba Cheeba – Harlem Underground Band
  • Kaya – Bob Marley
  • I Got 5 On It – Luniz
  • Whateva Man – Redman
  • Keep Your Hands High – Tracey Lee
  • Get High – Brandy Clark
  • Hits from the Bong – Cypress Hill

Watch it on Netflix at https://www.netflix.com/title/80213712

It’s a Netflix Original so it should stay there for good.

12) Murder Mountain

A weed farm protected by armed guards. Several unexplained missing persons.

I watched Joshua Zeman’s 2018 docuseries Murder Mountain and couldn’t believe it was just a day trip drive from my where I live in Oakland, CA.

It’s a six-episode, 232-minute deep dive into the 2013 disappearance of Garret Rodriguez.

Garret was a farmer in the region’s marijuana industry. The show also explores the dark side of the business.

Humboldt County produces over 60% of America’s marijuana. The industry attracts a dangerous criminal element.

At least two dozen people have gone missing there since the 1970s. Zeman interviews Garret’s family and the local community.

He uncovers a complex web of corruption and crime.

The series also features beautiful cinematography of the redwood forests.

Watch “Murder Mountain” on Netflix at https://www.netflix.com/title/80217475. It’s not a Netflix original so check here if you don’t see it on Netflix: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/murder-mountain

13) 420: The Documentary

“420: The Documentary,” directed by Amy Povah in 2013 (92 minutes) tackles the iconic yet misunderstood “420” culture.

You dive into the world of pot enthusiasts celebrating nationwide.

But it’s not all peace and pot.

Amy Povah brings us face to face with harsh realities. We see joyful 420 festivals.

Then we see the dark side. People get arrested, shot, even killed over pot. Can you believe it?

Law enforcement retirees spill the beans. They regret enforcing these harsh laws. They want change, and they’re not quiet about it.

This film challenges us to think about marijuana laws.

It’s a call to action, a push for reform. What side are you on?

Watch 420: The Documentary for free on Tubi, Plex and Pluto. Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/420-the-documentary

14) High Hopes

This 2024 Hulu docuseries is from Executive Producer Jimmy Kimmel.

Brothers Slava and Mishka run a legendary Hollywood cannabis dispensary.

They’re eyeing national expansion, launching their brand on 4/20.

You’ll get to watch some guys very stoned…lots of laughing.

Will the team soar or crash and burn?

Watch High Hopes on Hulu at https://www.hulu.com/series/c7f9e64b-fd2f-46ea-a19d-90b80cd746ecCheck here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/high-hopes

Thanks for reading!

-Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc