WARNING: This unedited video contains drug use and profane language.

The infamous, often-described video of former Toronto mayor Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine has been released, three years after it sparked heated debate over the late politician's illegal drug use.

The unedited video, which contains depictions of drug use and profane language, was released after the Crown withdrew a charge against Alexander "Sandro" Lisi, Ford's long-time friend and former driver. Lisi had been charged with allegedly trying to extort a convicted gang member in order to suppress the video. He agreed to a peace bond in July, which includes a promise to maintain good behaviour and avoid contact with certain individuals connected with the video.

The cellphone video was at the heart of a 2013 Toronto Star investigation into the late Ford's drug use. Ford repeatedly denied the existence of the video, before later admitting: "Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine."

The video shows Ford smoking a crack pipe and mumbling about his family and politics, including Justin Trudeau. His speech is slurred throughout, and his words are occasionally unintelligible.

"They say I'm this right wing, radical f**king guy," he says.

Elena Basso, a resident of the Etobicoke home where the video was shot, can be heard encouraging Ford to stand strong under public scrutiny.

When Basso tells Ford to stay strong for the football team he coached, Ford says: "F**k the (inaudible) minorities, dude."

Ford asks if the camera is on at the end of the video, and an unidentified man says it isn't. The video stops shortly after.

Ford died in March after a year-and-a-half-long battle with cancer. He was diagnosed shortly before the Toronto mayoral election, prompting him to step aside so his brother, Doug, could run for the mayor's seat in his place. Doug Ford lost to John Tory.

"I wish they would let Rob rest in peace," Doug Ford said in a statement on Thursday, after the video was released. "From Day One Rob felt this was political. Today proved that point."

In an interview with CP24, Doug Ford said his brother's enemies "just want to rehash (the video) and trample all over Rob's grave."

He added that he doesn't understand why the video was released, "outside of just trying to hurt our family and hurt Rob's kids."

Doug Ford pointed out that Rob ultimately sought treatment for his drug addiction. "He went to go get help. He admitted it," Doug Ford said.

Ford also described his late brother as "the best mayor ever."

CTV legal analyst Peter Jacobsen said the video's release is important because it "provides a more complete picture for the public" of what happened during the crack scandal. He said Ford appears to be smoking something, and "it sounds pretty convincing that he was smoking crack cocaine, and now everyone gets to see it."

Rob Ford's crack scandal