Rating: 
Summary: Disturbing Revelations
Review: Schlosser's book revealed many issues that were indeed terribly disturbing. Perhaps this book might be effective in rousing people towards social action by exposing such pernicious idiosyncracies that contribute to the problems of our society today. His narrative makes one question whether we do live in "the land of the free" through his case studies in the unjust and often ridiculous prison sentences of those convicted with marijuana (despite the severe lack of evidence and that the defendant was only charge through association). Schlosser's chapter on illegal immigrant labor, with the examples of the strawberry workers in California, has made me hesitate and wonder how much is being sacrificed and taken for granted when I go to the grocery and pick my fruits and vegetables. On the other hand, the part about pornography was more of a history description rather than an investigative analysis. Nevertheless, I will admit that that too was very engrossing. The history behind the sex industry and its moguls involves an intricate tale of indictment, tax fraud, and even the notorious mob crime families. I highly recommend this book because it compels people to think about their situation, not as an individual, but as a part of the collective unit called society. The information that the reader may uncover is not pretty and is deeply disturbing, but perhaps the best way to arouse a useful reaction in all of us is through a relatively real and high dose of shock therapy.
Rating:
Summary: Three disjointed essays, not a complete book
Review: This book is supposed to be a look at the American black market but focuses exclusively on Marijuana regulations, illegal immigrants for agriculture in California and the porn industry.
The essay on Marijuana is excellent; Schlosser gets a lot of useful numbers to show that the government is being too strict on marijuana use and how marijuana offenders are being punished more than even violent criminals. He traces the history of marijuana regulations in America and speaks about the political forces that have motivated this hard stance towards marijuana use. The essay is exceptionally well written and keeps a good pace from the first page.
The second essay is called Strawberry Fields and speaks about the plight of illegal immigrants working in agricultural fields in California. The essay speaks about another kind of black market in America, but is neither as gripping nor detailed as the previous one.
The last essay, is supposed to be about the pornographic trade, but is instead for the most part a biography of Reuban Sturman, a Cleveland business man who one the first porn business men in America. Schlosser speaks about how Sturman kick started the porn industry in America and how the government tried to peg him down, often unsuccessfully, finally throwing him in the coop for tax evasion. The essay does not give a comprehensive picture of the porn underground market, rather sticking to the underground market of one man. The other essays offer a more top-down perspective, which this one completely misses.
Schlosser's basic premise for the book is good, but he should have integrated the essays better and should have spoken more about other types of underground markets. Coming after the best-selling Fast Food Nation, this book feels more like a hastily thrown together bunch of essays to make a quick buck rather than a carefully written expose of the American underground.
Though this book disappointed me (I was hoping something like Fast Food Nation) I am giving this 4 stars as Schlosser preserves an un-alarmist tone throughout the book. Although we know he is against these things, he never displays a bias and presents the things as they are, which is very commendable. the book is steeped in numbers and he tries to provide a quantitative basis for all he presents.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing and superficial treatment of important issues
Review: This book was a big disappointment. I was eager to open the cover after the tremendous Fast Food Nation, but this book is just a sad set of diatribes on 3 unreleated topics: marijuana, strawberry picking, and pornography. Much space is wasted on the first topic describing the crimes and severe sentencing for a pot trafficer, as if this is news to anyone. Why not write about the millions of small neighborhood dealers, the casual and everyday users (including some state court judges), the cartels, the local vice squads, etc.? Apparently this would have required Eric to do some actual field research, rather than a few jailhouse interviews. We don't need to spend $24 to learn that the mandatory minimum sentences have filled prisons with nonviolent narcotics offenders. The second topic, though purportedly related to the first by virtue of the fact that the illegal aliens who pick strawberries are part of the underground economy, is in fact a completely separate piece that is more relevant to the issues raised in Fast Food Nation. Yes, the living conditions for immigrant farmworkers are far from ideal, but is this really news? And is this really a problem? The workers make 10x the amount they could make in Mexico, and we get cheaper food products. The third topic is again unreleated to the first two, and serves mainly to provide a biography of the man responsible for distributing pornographic magazines through adult bookstores. Not only is the rendition dull, but it is of little relevance in today's internet driven industry. Why not write about the people who create the internet sites, the people who act and model for adult print/internet/dvd materials, the people who work in the clubs found in all major cities, and the amateurs who are bypassing the system by hawking their wares directly to the public, not to mention the people who work in the prostitution industry (both illegal aliens and abused kids)? Again, this would apparently Eric to conduct some actual field research as opposed to a few interviews with the IRS agents. Do not under any circumstances pay full price for this book, it is not anywhere near the quality of Fast Food Nation. Eric, we deserve better.
Rating: 
Summary: Three Articles, Lightweight Sequel to Fast Food Nation
Review:
Although the author is gifted, this is a very light-weight sequel to Fast Foot Nation and the author's next book on prisons is therefore already suspect. This could have been a great book--indeed it could have been three great books--but in the rush to publish a second book in order to profit from the justifiable applause for his first one, the editor and publisher and author have all failed.
There are three articles here: the first is about the inconsistencies of the drug versus the murder laws, the number of people in jail for marijuana, and the social implications of all this; the second is on the underground economy of illegal workers and profiteering abusive corporations (McDonald's is especially evil in this depiction); and the third is about pornography but with a twist, focusing on how hotels and other major corporations are profiting. The books ends with a very short but thoughtful observation regarding the need to change the law and punishment so as to back away from life-ending punishments for individual behavior that is merely self-destructive or distastement, and focus the heaviest punishments on those who commit economic crimes against society and entire sub-sections of society. In each of these three cases, there are other books that are better--Deep Cover by Michael Levine on the futility of drug enforcement and the corruption of Drug Enforcement Agency "suits"; Forbidden Knowledge by Roger Shattuck, on pornography among other things; and The Informant by Kurt Eichenwald, on the sweetheart triangle between national-level white collar corporate criminals, big law firms, and a compliant Department of Justice that lets the richest bad guys off easy. I would caution the author to not do this again--the next book had better be as good as Fast Food Nation, or he will fall into the second rank of serial writers rather than culture-changing authors, where he deserves to stay. I would also encourage anyone considering buying this book to do so--it does have useful information--but more importantly, if you have not read Fast Food Nation, go to that page and think seriously about buying and reading it now--as McDonald's gets blamed overseas for being the epidemy of all that is hateful to Islamics, as Kraft Food pays lip service to healthy food in its realization that Oreo cookies are killing kids, what Eric Schlosser did in Fast Food Nation is being appreciated more and more each day--with that book, he did indeed change national consciousness, an achievement that will stand in history as a turning point in creating a healthier America.
Rating:
Summary: Well written, but should have been more cohesive
Review: "Reefer Madness" was one of the more enjoyable books I have read this year. Schlosser is a very captivating writer, who makes some very persuasive arguments against traditional notions of how free market economies work. I felt that the first essay on marijuana argued successfully that a huge portion of the American economy is fueled by illegal activity. The second essay on migrant fruit pickers is fascinating, but failed in several ways to make Schlosser's point about underground elements of the national economy. Finally, the essay on pornography and Ruben Sturman was an entertaining read, but I felt had almost nothing to do with the overall theme of the book. Yes, Sturman worked very hard to hide his profits and deceive the government, but his empire ended more than 20 years ago. I think more contemporary examples would have been benefited the overall argument. I would highly recommend this book, but I think that Schlosser could have worked harder towards proving his theory of the black market's power over the U.S. economy
Rating:
Summary: Another winner for Schlosser
Review: Eric Schlosser serves up another winner with "Reefer Madness," a book that consists of three essays focusing on the three specific underground industries - marijuana, strawberry field workers, and pornography. Schlosser's strength in writing is his ability to write objectively (for the most part) and allow the reader to decide what is right and wrong in the industries while allowing the hypocricy of our government's regulations to shine through. Perhaps the most informative chapter focuses on the pornography industry that started with a comic book shop in Ohio and turned in to a billion dollar industry. If you have read Schlosser's past work, "Fast Food Nation" or his articles in the "Atlantic Monthly," you are aware of his matter-of-fact writing style and his wonderful ability to convey stories in a concise yet brilliant way. This book is no different and a fascinating read for those interested in the industries that you knew existed...but knew very little about.
Rating:
Summary: Don't miss the latest Schlosser
Review: An important book, from a respected journalist, this comes at a frightening time in American culture and politics. Don't miss reading it. Think you know a lot about pot, pot laws, the black market, and how it affects us? There's more, and more beyond that. Read it now, and just as his Fast Food Nation took us on a startling journey of discovery about the meat-packing industry and the sick world of fast food, this book will open your eyes and possibly change the manner in which you proceed with your life. He speaks to the heart of issues. He exposes the big lies. Schlosser has a great deal to say on topics of critical interest to millions of Americans. Read, learn, and act accordingly.
Rating: 
Summary: Pulp Non-Fiction
Review: Pulp Non-Fiction This book is a collection three stories: A marijuana bust, illegal immigrants avoiding busts and a porn bust. The connections are not obvious, and Schlosser doesn't make much of a case to link them. As such, I've spent more time puzzling over the links than reading the book itself. It seems the stories outline America's curious method of managing consumer behavior and mass marketing practices. Schlosser doesn't consciously investigate mass marketing as a subject, but the technology of global marketing is the thread that holds these stories together. By 'global marketing', I mean TV, radio, the internet, etc. I also allude to the global distribution systems that companies like Wal-Mart, GM and Sony have established. The technology of global marketing is designed to evoke consumer demand. Consumers are trained to focus on specific brands by relentless repetition of inconsequential jingles, imagery and metaphors. Despite our high opinion of 'free-will', we are creatures of habit and rarely think about those that manage our habits (except for mom, maybe). This book is about the underbelly of the system. Freedom of expression is a highly praised feature of American life, but can we let someone employ the technologies of mass advertising to sell cocaine and a evening at the brothel? As every good American knows, the mass marketers must be controlled. The American solution is product criminalization (prohibition). It is no coincidence that prohibition of alcohol and modern mass marketing emerge together in the late 19th century American experience. In this light, the book is a set of case studies in American efforts to control global marketing of these 'too easy to sell' products. The focus is our curious selective criminalization of producer/distribution roles. In the case of (cheap) strawberries, the picker goes to jail. In the case of marijuana, the middlemen get the longest jail sentences. In the case of porn, the newly-rich get shut down by the 'establishment' and their lawyers. This story can be told with statistics and theory, but that wouldn't sell many books. Naylor has a nice book on the subject, Wages of Crime: Black Markets, Illegal Finance, and the Underworld Economy. It has an Amazon ranking of about 285,000. Not a best seller. Schlosser has a different marketing plan and it seems to work. Schlosser's book has an Amazon ranking of 80. I call his technique 'Pulp Non-Fiction'. Schlosser retells each 'bust' (or non-bust) in terms of a Perils of Pauline plot line. In the genre of 'true detective', he offers us the titillation of pulp-fiction with the moral righteousness of Upton Sinclair's 'The Jungle.' Injustice is the subject, corporations the villain and titillation the emotional thread. I think there are a lot of people looking for a sense of what is creating a black market in America, but the sucker emotional narrative of this book is part of the problem. It is the same sort of emotionalism that politicians use to get elected and mass marketers use to 'increase demand'. I doubt that many will put the pieces together and get more than the titillation value. Don't get me wrong, the guy writes good pulp. It's not a hard book to read.
Rating:
Summary: An interesting overview, but little more.
Review: This book (as manofspain correctly pointed out above) is essentially three magazine-length articles compiled into a book.
This is not to say that the topics are inconsequential, or that Schlosser's treatment of them is less than honest (in fact, his personal honesty is one of the strengths of the book), but more to point out that these are at best superficial treatments of topics that deserve books of their own (in addition to those covering other aspects of the shadow (i.e. untaxed) economy).
So what is this book good for? Well, it's a good intro to worlds people may not know much about. I'm planning on giving a copy to my Republican/Libertarian father-in-law for Father's Day. It's also light enough in tone that you can take it to the beach for your summer reading, although the subject matter might get you an additional search at an airport security gate. <wry grin>
In conclusion-- Reefer Madness is not a waste of money, but it's more "People" magazine than "Harvard Business Review". If you are willing to accept that standard going in, you'll have a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting if inconsistent essays
Review: "Reefer Madness" sets out to examine three areas of the underground economy: the marijuana trade, migrant workers, and pornography. The book's strengths lie in Schlosser's ability to combine interesting tidbits of information with compelling personal stories of people involved in one of the examined industries. Much like "Fast Food Nation" when Reefer Madness is at its best it will inform, anger, and fascinate you.
That said, the book also has a number of problems. The most important is the lack of similarity between the three issues he examines. Simply put, while the lessons of the marijuana trade and pornography are quite similar, those of migrant workers are wholly different. The government's zealous ideological crusades against pot and pornography and its various reversals with regards to what is deemed legal or illegal make the cases for both quite similar. On the other hand, migrant workers, to my mind at least, are a much different issue. Instead of being on the demand end of the black market, they are on the supply end. The incongruence between Schlosser's three cases mean that the introductory and concluding chapters are muddled by focusing on the rights on individuals to do as they wish (in the cases of marijuana and pornography) and the human rights issues raised by migrant labor.
The second issue dividing the essays is Schlosser's use of a protagonist to whom he regularly returns to highlight his points. This scheme is effectively employed in the first two essays (marijuana and migrants) but chapter on pornography comes closer to becoming a biography. In addition, the focus of the story moves from the nature of the black market to the tax evasion case brought by the IRS. This story is quite interesting and told in a compelling manner, but it adds little to his larger point about the government's obsessive crusade against porn.
The final critique offered here is that Schlosser tends to downplay the negative human impact of pornography. While highlighting the horrendous conditions of migrant farmers in California, he fails to draw strong connections with the exploitative nature of the porn industry. In this area Schlosser should have been clearer about the benefits for those in the industry of bringing the porn industry into the mainstream.
"Reefer Madness" may strike some as a throw-off book sandwiched between two larger projects. In many ways this may be true, but it does not diminish the quality of the essays. In particular, Schlosser's arguments focusing on mandatory minimums for drug offenses and the rise and fall of a porn king are simply fun to read. The book's engaging style and cogent arguments allow it to overcome its inconsistencies and lack of coherence.
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