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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
informative
fast-paced
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Another fascinating read. The title pretty much gives the summary away and starts off with an introduction of hemp seeds by Hernan Cortes. From there the book goes into the religious usage of the plant from India to the 'Just-say-no' era of the United States in the last century. Brown's art style is perfect for the story and his writing was very eye-opening for me when he went into the outrage over the illegalization of cannabis and how the legal status of it was tied to blatant lies and racism. Its well researched and well written my only wish is that Brown made a whole novel out of this. I wish the book contained a little more information about research and therapeutic effects, along with the focus on the propaganda behind illegalizing it. Still, this is a wonderful nonfiction comic that goes into the history and politics of cannabis.
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Quick impressions: A book I wanted to like more. Narrative not very good nor consistent. That segment with Aslinger took way too look, and the end was rushed.
(Full review later on our blog)
(Full review later on our blog)
Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Should be required reading for anyone who works in cannabis legislation. Really sets the record straight that the modern history of cannabis is one of fear, racism, rumors, and ignorance of science. The simple cartoon style makes it open and accessible. Will definitely be recommending people in my life read this, and now I'm really looking forward to reading Tetris.
My only quip: published in 2019, but doesnt go much into the 21st century which I think would be interesting to cover, though understandable as legalization is quickly changing.
My only quip: published in 2019, but doesnt go much into the 21st century which I think would be interesting to cover, though understandable as legalization is quickly changing.
Brown’s thesis is that Harry J. Anslinger, the commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, used stereotypes to prey on people’s fears in order to make marihuana illegal.
Cannabis: The Illegalization of Weed in America by Box Brown genuinely delivers on its title. I feel like I actually have a pretty decent understanding of the history of the legality of cannabis in the US.
I knew OF a lot of the stuff in this book, but I didn't know a lot ABOUT it. The general basics of a lot of it was very familiar to me (Nixon and Reagan being The Worst, early roots in racism, AIDS activists helping gain access for medical use, etc) but so many specific details were lost on me, especially when it came to details from the first half of the twentieth century. The information is presented in a really crisp way that makes it easy to understand and digest and still manage to be incredibly informative.
Anyone interested in the topic should definitely be giving this a read (although perhaps those with a better understanding of the specific history than I have may find they learn less from this than I do, as it IS an introduction).
I knew OF a lot of the stuff in this book, but I didn't know a lot ABOUT it. The general basics of a lot of it was very familiar to me (Nixon and Reagan being The Worst, early roots in racism, AIDS activists helping gain access for medical use, etc) but so many specific details were lost on me, especially when it came to details from the first half of the twentieth century. The information is presented in a really crisp way that makes it easy to understand and digest and still manage to be incredibly informative.
Anyone interested in the topic should definitely be giving this a read (although perhaps those with a better understanding of the specific history than I have may find they learn less from this than I do, as it IS an introduction).