By Andrew DeAngelo
It’s not possible to measure the harm of cannabis prohibition on humanity. Many people were locked away in prisons without cause. 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.
Jordan Berger’s mother died of substance abuse. When she died, he was in the middle of growing his first medical cannabis crop for her. It was already too late when he discovered that this drug could heal his addiction. 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.
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. Medical marijuana has saved the lives of terminally ill cancer patients. We also meet companies that produce flooring just as attractive as wood. Above all else, we learn to appreciate and admire those who are willing to make sacrifices on behalf of the future.
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 The film combines emotional depth and informative storytelling to make it a unique contribution to the 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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