Scan barcode
kpbake427's review
2.0
I thinks it's a good introduction to the history of drugs but it over simplifies some things. For example I know a lot about the history of polygamy in Utah and their presentation wasn't necessarily accurate which made me questions the accuracy of other parts that I don't know as much about. As far as I know the facts about Aslinger were accurate. Overall the presentation seemed pretty bias to lead you to the conclusion the presented rather than coming to your own conclusion based on the facts. I would still recommend reading it though.
katienpascoe's review
4.0
quick read that makes learning about the history of cannabis use and the harms perpetuated by cannabis restriction more approachable through the form of a graphic novel!
catrowland's review
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.75
Whether or not you consume cannabis, you need to read this book and learn about the history of its demonization. Especially if you vote on legislation. I am so grateful to graphic novels like these which make nonfiction reading/learning so much more enjoyable. You may already know some of the racist and xenophobic background of why cannabis and its users are treated so inhumanely, but learning just how far back into history the tale goes is eye-opening. I am so lucky to be a cannabis user in an age where in my home state I can remain safe. My safety and enjoyment is built on the backs of so much unjust suffering from cannabis users just like me. Learning honors them.
lisawreading's review
4.0
Interesting, entertaining, eye-opening graphic novel exploring the history of cannabis's legal status in the US --and (not surprisingly) how much of the outrage over cannabis was tied to racism and lies.
scaenae137's review
3.0
~3.5 for the balance of thorough research simplified into an easy-to-follow historical narrative. I learned A LOT.
Big focus/many pages on Harry Anslinger under the Federal Bureau of Narcotics - but then seemed to tie things up too quickly with just brief looks at pro-weed movements stemming from Timothy Leary and the 60's "counter-culture" and Buyer's Clubs during the AIDS epidemic.
Another element I would've liked to see is: a little more commentary on how cannabis COULD be harmful - for adolescents, for those over-indulging, etc. This book is absolutely pro-weed - which is fine! But I wish I could more whole-heartedly recommend and pass it on to reader friends who also recognize how to make cannabis *part* of their lives, not the entirety of.
I don't ~*partake*~ regularly, if at all. But this is a fascinating, infuriating look at the racist, capitalist roots of illegalization.
Big focus/many pages on Harry Anslinger under the Federal Bureau of Narcotics - but then seemed to tie things up too quickly with just brief looks at pro-weed movements stemming from Timothy Leary and the 60's "counter-culture" and Buyer's Clubs during the AIDS epidemic.
Another element I would've liked to see is: a little more commentary on how cannabis COULD be harmful - for adolescents, for those over-indulging, etc. This book is absolutely pro-weed - which is fine! But I wish I could more whole-heartedly recommend and pass it on to reader friends who also recognize how to make cannabis *part* of their lives, not the entirety of.
I don't ~*partake*~ regularly, if at all. But this is a fascinating, infuriating look at the racist, capitalist roots of illegalization.
rkiladitis's review
4.0
Award-winning graphic novelist Box Brown is back with the real story of how cannabis - weed, marijuana, reefer - went from being a plant used for spiritual purposes to being labeled a gateway drug that caused "reefer madness". How did it happen, you say? Racism. Politics. Propaganda. Scare tactics. The usual song and dance. Box Brown has done his research and, combined with his minimalist artwork, presents a tale that will have you seeing the politics of marijuana (the origin of that name is in here, too, and it's a doozy) in an entirely new light.
The War on Drugs started long before Nancy Reagan went on Diff'rent Strokes and told kids to "just say no", and the fallout has targeted minorities - primarily young black men - and left thousands imprisoned for minor infractions. Studies have purposely included falsified data and allowed Harry J. Anslinger, the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, to perpetuate his war against narcotics by weaponizing moral outrage and using propaganda to get the plant a schedule 1 classification, putting it on par with heroin.
Ignatz Award winner Box Brown has a gift for nonfiction. While he's primarily done biographical graphic novels thus far, including Andre the Giant, Andy Kaufman, and the rise of the video game Tetris, Cannabis is a thoroughly researched, fully realized, history of marijuana, from its earliest recorded uses through the present day. It's a good add for your young adult/new adult collections and could be a good selection for a book group, especially with its increasing legality and medicinal usage.
The War on Drugs started long before Nancy Reagan went on Diff'rent Strokes and told kids to "just say no", and the fallout has targeted minorities - primarily young black men - and left thousands imprisoned for minor infractions. Studies have purposely included falsified data and allowed Harry J. Anslinger, the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, to perpetuate his war against narcotics by weaponizing moral outrage and using propaganda to get the plant a schedule 1 classification, putting it on par with heroin.
Ignatz Award winner Box Brown has a gift for nonfiction. While he's primarily done biographical graphic novels thus far, including Andre the Giant, Andy Kaufman, and the rise of the video game Tetris, Cannabis is a thoroughly researched, fully realized, history of marijuana, from its earliest recorded uses through the present day. It's a good add for your young adult/new adult collections and could be a good selection for a book group, especially with its increasing legality and medicinal usage.
saidtheraina's review
3.0
Box Brown's thing works well for stories that feel niche. I've read Brown's biographical work on Andre the Giant, and telling of the history of Tetris. Both of those stories were relatively unknown to me.
While I'm certainly no Cannabis History expert, I live in one of the earliest states to legalize recreational weed. In the debate around that process in our state, I've personally heard more about this than about the other topics Brown has covered. It is also a supercharged topic for many, and I've known people intimately familiar with and passionate about both sides of the issue.
Here, Brown's detached, seemingly-facts-only approach didn't quite work for me.
Brown has a pretty clear agenda, which could be fine, but never really came out and stated that agenda in the book.
Things felt a little scattered, a little charged, and ultimately, I was left side-eyeing the whole effort.
I absolutely think there's a place in the world for a graphic novel history of cannabis, but this one didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Extra star for the effort and need for content on this topic.
While I'm certainly no Cannabis History expert, I live in one of the earliest states to legalize recreational weed. In the debate around that process in our state, I've personally heard more about this than about the other topics Brown has covered. It is also a supercharged topic for many, and I've known people intimately familiar with and passionate about both sides of the issue.
Here, Brown's detached, seemingly-facts-only approach didn't quite work for me.
Brown has a pretty clear agenda, which could be fine, but never really came out and stated that agenda in the book.
Things felt a little scattered, a little charged, and ultimately, I was left side-eyeing the whole effort.
I absolutely think there's a place in the world for a graphic novel history of cannabis, but this one didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Extra star for the effort and need for content on this topic.
naomithomson's review
informative
sad
fast-paced
3.0
on a graphic novel kick right now. my page count is ab to skyrocket from these. this was pretty informative. i had heard that weed policies had targeted minorities and black and mexican americans but this kinda spelled out the process. wild how that harry aslinger guy was so critical and influential in this policy and how weed got looped in with heroin.
the sheer numbers of people that got arrested too because of weed is baffling. especially to read about now when i could drive up the street to a dispensary and buy whatever i want. lots to think about. very sad what happened before we got to this place.
the sheer numbers of people that got arrested too because of weed is baffling. especially to read about now when i could drive up the street to a dispensary and buy whatever i want. lots to think about. very sad what happened before we got to this place.
jamesphoto's review
5.0
Very good library book. The whole book was a cartoon book. It was a pretty interesting story.