By Andrew DeAngelo
It’s not possible to measure the harm of cannabis prohibition on humanity. Masses of people have been needlessly locked up. Millions more have been denied a medicine that may have saved their lives. And all of us have been cooked on this planet by fossil fuels and deforestation—much of which could have been avoided by embracing industrial hemp. After a century of prohibition, the crimes against people (and the planet) are too vast to quantify.
Sometimes, the best we can do is tell the stories of cannabis and the people who are working to bring the plant out of the shadows and into the light. The feature documentary film, One Plant, does exactly that. This isn’t a wonky policy film. It’s a human story that hits the audience in the heart, frame after frame.
Director Jordan Berger lost his mother to substance use disorder. He was growing his first crop of medical cannabis for her when she passed. By the time he learned about the potential of this medicine to heal addiction, it was too late. So, he picked up his cameras and set out to ensure other families wouldn’t suffer the same fate. One Plant is a beautiful tribute to Berger’s mom, but it’s also an indictment of everything prohibition has taken from us.
what’s up, doc. The documentary drives home a simple truth: One plant underpins all sustainable innovations and therapeutic uses.
The film is organized into three parts: part one explores hemp fiber and the many useful products made from it; part two zeroes in on grain and hemp’s role in nutrition; and part three examines cannabis flowers and their medicinal benefits. From the spirited music to the lush photography and artful animation, Berger provides a steady hand as director.
As viewers, we learn that hemp-based tampons are healthier than the commercially available ones widely used today, and that homes constructed with hempcrete can survive wildfires. We meet terminal cancer patients who are still alive because of medical weed, and companies producing flooring as beautiful as any made from wood. Most of all, we come to respect and admire the people making extraordinary sacrifices for the next generation.
The documentary drives home a simple truth: One plant underpins all of these sustainable innovations and therapeutic uses. At a time when the cannabis industry is split over policy around hemp intoxicants, that “one plant” message matters. It’s a reminder that this single plant should be legalized, removed from the Controlled Substances Act, made widely accessible and regulated in a practical, sensible way.
One Plant blends emotional depth with informative storytelling, earning its place as a standout contribution to modern cannabis culture. In short, it’s a great and important film. For more on this documentary, go to oneplant.film.
Originally published in Issue 53 of Cannabis Now Magazine.
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