Best Marijuana Documentaries: Films on Cannabis History and Business

By James Buddsey · Updated October 14, 2026

The best marijuana documentaries cover three things: the history of prohibition, the business of growing and selling, and the personal stories of people who use cannabis. For history start with Grass (1999); for the industry watch Marijuana Inc. (2009) and The Union (2007); for humor try Super High Me (2007). This list covers nine films and propaganda reels, grouped by what you want to learn.

Our original list gathered the marijuana documentaries that had been made by the late 2000s. We have kept those picks and added context where we could verify it, so you know what each film is, who made it and what to expect. Films are not medical or legal evidence, and several here are decades old, so use them for background and see our cannabis research section and cannabis laws section for current information. This is for adults 21+.

At a Glance

History and Policy

Grass (1999)

Directed by Ron Mann and narrated by Woody Harrelson, Grass traces the U.S. federal government’s campaign against cannabis over the twentieth century and places much of the blame on Harry Anslinger. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 1999 and won Canada’s Genie Award for Best Documentary. If you watch only one film for background on why cannabis is illegal at the federal level, make it this one. Our federal laws guide picks up the story as it stands in 2026.

Hemp for Victory (1942)

This short film was made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to encourage farmers to grow hemp for the war effort, when imported fibers were hard to get. It covers hemp’s history, cultivation and processing into rope, cloth and cordage. For years the government denied making it, and the film is now in the public domain and available from the Internet Archive and the National Archives. At roughly 14 to 15 minutes, it is an easy watch. For today’s hemp market, read our hemp flower buying guide.

Reefer Madness (1936)

Directed by Louis J. Gasnier, the film began as Tell Your Children, financed by a church group as a warning to parents. A producer later bought it, added sensational footage and retitled it. It was rediscovered in the early 1970s and became a campus midnight-movie favorite. Reform advocates embraced it as unintentional satire, and NORML’s Keith Stroup used screenings to raise funds after finding a copy at the Library of Congress. It is in the public domain in the United States. Watch it as history, not as fact.

Industry and Business

The Union: The Business Behind Getting High (2007)

Directed by Brett Harvey, this Canadian documentary looks at the illegal cannabis trade and how prohibition shapes it, comparing it to alcohol prohibition in the 1920s. It runs 104 minutes. Watch it for the economic argument that has since driven many legalization debates.

Marijuana Inc. (2009)

This CNBC special aired in January 2009 and runs 60 minutes. Reporter Trish Regan examines the industry, focusing on Northern California’s Emerald Triangle. It became CNBC’s most successful original documentary, according to Westword, and led to a follow-up, Marijuana USA.

Green Rush (2008)

Our original list described Green Rush as following groups of people growing marijuana through a typical growing season. We could not independently verify details about this film, so check a current listing before you hunt for it.

Personal Stories, Humor and Culture

Super High Me (2007)

Directed by Michael Blieden and starring comedian Doug Benson, Super High Me is a take on Super Size Me. Benson abstains from cannabis for 30 days, then uses it every day for 30 days. The film also includes interviews with activists, dispensary owners, politicians and medical cannabis patients. It premiered at the Woodstock Film Festival on October 13, 2007 and runs 94 minutes. It is entertainment, not a scientific test of anything. Do not treat one person’s experiment as evidence about cannabis and health.

High: The True Tale of American Marijuana (2008)

Library catalogs describe this roughly 87-minute film as using government statistics, expert interviews and humor to examine the costs of the war on drugs. Pair it with Grass for a fuller view of policy.

In Pot We Trust (2007)

Our original list called it a documentary on the medical, scientific and political sides of cannabis culture. As with Green Rush, we could not verify details independently.

How to Watch Critically

• Check the date. Laws and science have changed. Several states have legalized adult use since these films were made, and in April 2026 the federal government moved some marijuana to Schedule III. See the federal laws guide.
• Consider the point of view. Advocacy films and government films both argue a case.
• Do not use a film for medical decisions. Health claims need sources such as the National Academies or NIDA. Start with NIDA’s cannabis page.
• Know where you stand legally. Read the Washington and Oregon guides before you act on what you watch.

Where to Start

A sensible viewing order is Grass for the history, then The Union or Marijuana Inc. for the business, and Super High Me when you want something lighter. If you are new to cannabis, begin with Cannabis 101 and our strain guides. If you want legal products, browse licensed stores in Washington or Oregon.

Marijuana Documentaries FAQ

For adults 21+ in legal states. General information, not medical advice.