Reefer Madness : A History of Marijuana

Rating:
Summary: EVERYONE Should Read This Book
Review: Any person who believes that the U.S. government's official policy on marijuana is ridiculous and founded on myth rather than fact should read this book. It provides a meticulous review of the history of this drug in the USA, detailing in incredible detail the progression of the U.S. government's official position on the legal status of the drug. I found it to be very interesting, and easy to read. Any person who wants to know the true FACTS about this drug -- from initial movements by governmental officials to categorize it as a hazardous and illegal substance, to the examination of it's widespread use among a variety of subgroups in American society -- should read this book if they want to develop an effective, and accurate, argument on the subject.

Rating:
Summary: superb green
Review: authoritative, elegant, informed, disturbing, enlightening and inspiring.

Though I'm giving this work a 5, which is well-deserved, I will warn you. There is much in this work that will incite anger at the memory of Harry Anslinger, who evokes comparisons to all the freedom-haters (within and without America) currently destroying natural rights that should be beyond government's grasp. On this note, there is a "gore file" photo used by Anslinger in his marijuana-hate campaigns that is truly shocking and revolting. Just a warning as you're flipping through the photos that they are not all placid, green fields of scenery.

The intro and afterword, not to mention the attractive cover design, enhance this superb book; also, the price is a bargain.

Rating:
Summary: Tell your children, indeed
Review: That is a pun based on the movie Reefer Madness which was originally called Tell your children. Now we have a book by Larry Sloman called Reefer Madness which documents the history of marijuana in the United States. Larry Sloman was once editor in chief at High Times magazine so it goes without say where he stands on the issue of the marijuana laws. There are points when his bias does show through a bit but overall he does mainly stick to the facts in the history of reefer. This is a very informative book with a lot of facts that many Americans do not know. I learned a lot about the origins of a lot of laws in this country. There are times he speculates on what various politicians are thinking when they meet or pass certain laws. This I do not like because he wasnt there and cant really know. I think the facts on their own speak loudly enough without this added feature. I do respect that he humanizes Harry Anslinger and discusses Anslingers dedication to an ailing wife and his fervent belief in his cause. I agree that Anslinger is responsible for one of the stupidest and most unconstitutional laws in this countrys history but he was still human. I also like that Sloman brings up the racial aspect of the dope laws which is still a major factor in the War on Some Drugs today. The ONDPC and DARE may not want you to read this book but it is probably closer to the truth than most of the propoganda they are shovelling.