Key Takeaways
- Streaming platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and others, offer programming about cannabis.
- Options include documentary films, reality series, and more.
- You can find cannabis cooking shows, the stories of life working in a dispensary, and even documentaries following the effects of cannabis on music.
“Netflix and Chill” has a wholesome meaning to cannabis consumers and the canna-curious viewer. They often lock into the couch with their favorite snack and watch shows about or inspired by the plant. Several popular weed shows, from documentary films to reality cooking competitions, are available on Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming platforms.
This list of the best weed shows on Netflix and other platforms features programs about cannabis, authentically highlighting the plant and the people who use it. It is full of documentaries and other non-fiction formats, all carrying an engaging message about cannabis, the struggle to end prohibition, the industry, and its consumers.
“American Weed”
The 2012 series “American Weed” from National Geographic explores Colorado’s medical cannabis community. Patients, growers, and other cannabis activists work together to stop a Fort Collins ballot proposition that could ban dispensaries in the city. Available to purchase from Amazon Prime Video.
“Bong Appétit”
Vice TV’s “Bong Appétit” takes a deep dive (41 episodes over three seasons) into cooking with cannabis. In each episode, celebrities team up with experienced chefs to create a multi-course dinner party of cannabis edibles made with high-end ingredients. The series features appearances by an A-list of cannabis culture celebrities, including Cheech and Chong, Wiz Khalifa, and co-host B-Real. Select episodes of “Bong Appétit” are available to stream on the platform Philo or for purchase by the episode or season on Amazon Prime Video.
“Cooked With Cannabis”
The reality competition series “Cooked With Cannabis” pairs cannabis and cooking for a fun and informative look at weed culture. Episodes explore various aspects of cannabis-infused cooking, including barbecue, international cuisine, baking, and holiday fare. The program also covers information about THC infusions made with cannabis flower or extracts, microdosing, and more, giving patients and consumers a fun introduction to cannabis cooking. Stream “Cooked With Cannabis” on Netflix.
“Cooking on High”
“Cooking on High” is another weed cooking competition show on Netflix. It is hosted by cannabis activist, comedian, and emcee Ngaio Bealum. Chef contestants use the strain of the day to concoct tasty weed dishes that tie in with each episode’s theme. As they cook, Bealum shares information about the day’s strain and other cannabis lore. Stream “Cooking on High” on Netflix.
“Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Weed”
Debuting in 2013, this CNN Special Documentary series details medical correspondent and neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s reevaluation and eventual acceptance of cannabis as a legitimate medical therapy. Subsequent episodes have explored topics including medical cannabis refugees, CBD, and cannabis for seniors. “Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Weed” is available to stream on YouTube.
“Grass Is Greener”
“Grass Is Greener” documents the influence of cannabis on musicians and the works they create, particularly among jazz, reggae, and hip-hop artists. The film also examines the history of the prohibition of cannabis in the United States, and how enforcement of the nation’s weed laws often focused on race and groups on the edges of mainstream society.
The documentary also explores the three decades of cannabis legalization and commercialization in America. Through this lens, the doc spotlights how Black and Brown communities, who largely bore the brunt of cannabis prohibition, have been denied an equitable place at the table to reap the benefits of reform. Stream “Grass Is Greener” on Netflix.
“High Hopes”
From executive producer Jimmy Kimmel, “High Hopes” follows the exploits of brothers Slava and Mishka, the owners of a Los Angeles cannabis dispensary. Watch as they and their crew serve patients and consumers in California’s competitive retail cannabis market, often with hilarious consequences. Stream “High Hopes on Hulu and Apple TV+.
“High Profits”
Cannabis meets capitalism in the CNN series “High Profits.” Watch as a young couple hopes to expand their cannabis dispensary business from Colorado, one of the first states to legalize weed, to other states as reform continues to spread across the country. “High Profits” is available to stream on Pluto TV.
“Highland: Thailand’s Marijuana Awakening”
The three-episode documentary series investigates cannabis culture in Thailand, giving viewers a look into an evolving regulatory landscape for the plant. Each episode covers a different aspect of the Southeast Asian nation’s relationship with cannabis, including the origins of cannabis culture in Thailand, and looks at medical and recreational weed. Stream “Highland: Thailand’s Marijuana Awakening” on Netflix.
“The Marijuana Show”
In “The Marijuana Show,” cannabis entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to investors in a bid to earn up to $13 million in funding for their venture. It’s like the hit show “Shark Tank,” only with weed. Available for purchase from Amazon Prime Video.
“Murder Mountain”
Perhaps the most infamous of the weed shows on Netflix, 2018’s “Murder Mountain” exposes the violent underbelly of California’s notorious Emerald Triangle cannabis cultivation region. Follow along as people go missing, bodies are found, and underground growers try to make the transition to the newly legal cannabis economy. Stream “Murder Mountain” on Netflix.
“Weed the People”
The documentary film “Weed the People” chronicles the struggles and triumphs of parents using medical cannabis to treat their children with cancer. Faced with often unsympathetic policymakers and legislation that is difficult to navigate, these families show how determination and love can make a difference in a sometimes uncaring world.
The film illustrates how medical cannabis can change the lives of not only patients but their loved ones, as well. Stream “Weed the People” on the platform Gaia, or rent or buy the documentary from Amazon Prime Video.
What Should We Watch Tonight?
Don’t worry—you’re not limited to just watching the classic “Reefer Madness. " There are now plenty of shows about weed on Netflix and other streaming services that aren’t anti-cannabis propaganda. Next time you’re wondering what to watch, watch one of these films and series exploring cannabis culture.
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
