With the exception of the animated chapter headings, this film is comprised entirely of archival footage, films, and videos.
The Ontario Censor Board wanted to remove some 1960s footage of some lab monkeys forced to smoke dope as it depicted animal cruelty. The distributor Lionsgate appealed the rating and the appeals board deemed the film was also suitable for Ontario young people and gave the film an Adult Accompaniment rating.
Originally, Grass was going to see a theatrical release but Ron Mann did not want to profit from the film, feeling like the message, being more important than money, would be lost if people saw him "gaining" from it. So, Mann decided to release the film on video for free.