The Story of Super High Me
Super High Me is a 2007 documentary that follows stand-up comedian Doug Benson through one of the strangest self-imposed challenges in cinema: a full month without marijuana, followed by a full month of consuming it in massive quantities. The premise is deceptively simple, but what unfolds is something far more interesting than a typical stoner comedy. Benson doesn't just get high and crack jokes (though there's plenty of that). He submits himself to medical testing, cognitive assessments, and athletic challenges before, between, and after each 30-day phase, creating a real-time experiment into how cannabis affects the human body and mind. The film's tagline—"4:20 • 24/7 • 30 Days"—promises chaos, and it delivers, but it's also genuinely curious about the science underneath the smoke.
Behind the Making of Super High Me
Directed by Michael Blieden and produced through Sixth Way Productions and Wabi Pictures, Super High Me arrived in 2007 at a moment when cannabis culture was shifting in America. The timing was no accident—medical marijuana debates were heating up in California and beyond, and Benson's documentary tapped into that cultural moment while also functioning as a direct parody of Morgan Spurlock's 2004 hit Super Size Me. Where Spurlock ate McDonald's for a month to expose the health consequences of fast food, Benson smokes weed to explore the opposite side of a similar question: what does prolonged use actually do? The film runs 89 minutes and balances comedy with legitimate documentary inquiry. Benson's credibility as a voice here matters—he's a working stand-up with a real career, not just a guy getting high on camera for laughs, though the laughs are definitely part of the appeal. The production doesn't have the polish of a major studio release, which actually works in its favor; there's an authenticity to the DIY approach that matches Benson's willingness to look ridiculous for the sake of the experiment.
What Makes Super High Me Stand Out
What's striking is how the film refuses to be just one thing. It's not a preachy anti-drug documentary, nor is it a celebration of marijuana culture without skepticism. Instead, it sits in the messy middle where actual conversation happens. Benson brings a comedic sensibility to serious moments—when he's struggling to focus during the heavy-use phase, or when test results come back showing changes in his cognitive function, there's an underlying humor that doesn't undercut the real concern. The documentary also benefits from Benson's self-awareness. He's not trying to prove he's cool; he's willing to look foolish, to admit when he's struggling, to acknowledge that his experiment might not prove anything definitive. That honesty is what keeps the film from feeling like a stunt. The film doesn't shy away from the medical marijuana debate either. It includes perspectives from doctors, researchers, and patients who use cannabis for legitimate therapeutic reasons—people who aren't just chasing a high but managing pain, nausea, or other symptoms. This context prevents the film from devolving into pure comedy, even as it never loses its sense of humor. I keep coming back to how rare it is to see a documentary willing to explore a controversial topic without trying to land on a single "correct" answer. The performances, if you can call them that, feel genuine because Benson isn't performing—he's documenting his own real physical and psychological responses to an experiment he actually conducted.
Where to Stream Super High Me Online
Super High Me is available across major OTT services, and you can find current availability listed in the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page. Movie OTT tracks streaming availability across platforms in real time, so if you're looking to watch Benson's cannabis odyssey, you can check there to see which service has it right now. The film's accessibility on multiple platforms reflects its cult status—it's not a prestige release, but it's become a go-to title for people interested in cannabis culture, documentary comedy, or just Benson's particular brand of humor. Availability does shift, so it's worth checking the widget before you settle in to watch.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is Super High Me based on a true story?
Yes—it documents an actual 60-day experiment that Doug Benson conducted in real time. The first 30 days are him staying completely sober, and the second 30 days are him smoking cannabis daily, with medical testing throughout to measure the effects.
Q: Who directed Super High Me?
The film was directed by Michael Blieden and released in 2007 through Sixth Way Productions and Wabi Pictures. It was structured as a direct response to Morgan Spurlock's Super Size Me, applying the same self-imposed-challenge documentary format to cannabis use.
Q: What's the runtime of Super High Me?
The film runs 89 minutes, making it a tight, focused documentary that balances comedy with legitimate medical inquiry without overstaying its welcome.
Q: Does Super High Me take a stance on marijuana legalization?
The film doesn't land on a single political position. Instead, it explores the medical marijuana debate from multiple angles—including perspectives from doctors, patients, and researchers—while Benson's personal experience serves as the emotional core of the narrative.
Q: How is Super High Me different from other stoner comedies?
Unlike pure comedies that use marijuana as a backdrop for jokes, Super High Me combines comedy with actual scientific testing and medical consultation, making it a hybrid documentary that takes its premise seriously even as it finds humor in the absurdity of the experiment.
Final Thoughts on Super High Me
Super High Me won't change your mind about marijuana policy—it's not trying to. What it does is provide a genuinely entertaining window into one comedian's experience with a substance that remains culturally and politically fraught. The film's willingness to be funny without being dismissive, to ask real questions without demanding final answers, is what keeps it watchable more than fifteen years later. If you're curious about cannabis culture, documentary comedy, or just Doug Benson's particular sense of humor, it's worth seeking out on your preferred streaming service.
