shayvigz's review against another edition

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4.0

An excellent social history of cannabis in America. Despite it being published before legalization, this book is the best resource to navigating subjects pertaining to policy, stigma, activism, etc. A large focus of the book was centered around anti-cannabis propaganda & racism that was provoked, pushed & backed by the government. Factual, scholarly text that ended up being extremely useful in many situations defending my stance on legalization.

barker563's review against another edition

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1.0

If you're looking for an unbiased or objective view of the history of marijuana, this is not the book to find it in. It is very biased in favor of marijuana, it's legalization, and it's use. It focuses only on studies and positive history, even to the point of citing conspiracy theories at some point.

If you're looking for a persuasive case for why marijuana should be legalized or are trying to convince friends or family members, then this is not the book. It is one-sided to the point of rewriting history. While there are good points and good material, it paints marijuana users as saints, law enforcement as nefarious in their purpose and goals, and fails to adopt a more reasoned view that would allow it to be it to be more persuasive.

If you want conspiracy theories, and marijuana activism extremist history/viewpoints then this is the book for you. If you're looking for something unbiased or even a reasoned case for marijuana usage this book is one to avoid.

I was indifferent towards legalization/leaning towards being in favor of it even though I don't partake myself, I picked this book to get informative history and information, but came away turned off by the whole legalization movement. The title and description are very misleading, Lee is a poor writer, and this book was ultimately a waste of my time.

jpfoursport's review against another edition

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5.0

A long book that in many ways was tantamount to a textbook - interesting at times - sometimes dense BUT always enlightening. The shady reasons our government uses to continue to demonize cannabis despite actual studies that can prove it medicinal benefits are disheartening and angering. We the people have been lied to - I still agree that cannabis use by teens is not a healthy thing but adult use should be a personal decision. Read and educate yourself even if you disagree - at least understand the facts rather than the disingenuous information we have all heard for decades now.

palefire's review

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5.0

The author has an agenda but he still brings up MANY points that are to obvious to ignore. Learned much about Medical Marijuana I didn't know.
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