The film begins in 2010, with a 65-year-old Howard Marks going onto a stage in front of a packed theatre to great applause. Marks asks if there are any undercover policemen sat in the audience, to which the reply is negative. Then, while lighting up a joint (cannabis), Marks asks "who here is a dope (marijuana) smoker?", to even greater applause. The film then diverts into Marks' internal monologue as he recounts his life.