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The Cannabis Manifesto: A New Paradigm for Wellness
An authoritative, persuasive, and riveting call for the legalization and responsible use of medical marijuana, The Cannabis Manifesto is a book whose time has come
The Cannabis Manifesto is both a call to action and a radical vision of humans' relationship with this healing but controversial plant. Steve DeAngelo, the founder of Harborside Health Center, the world's largest medical-cannabis dispensary, presents a compelling case for cannabis as a wellness catalyst that must be legalized. His view that there is no such thing as recreational cannabis use challenges readers to rethink everything they thought they knew about marijuana.
The Cannabis Manifesto answers essential questions about the plant, using extensive research to fuel a thoughtful discussion about cannabis science and law, as well as its biological, mental, and spiritual effects on human beings. With a cultural critic's eye peering through the lens of social justice, DeAngelo explains how cannabis prohibition has warped our most precious institutions—from the family, to the workplace, to the doctor’s office and the courtroom. In calling for a realistic national policy on a substance that has been used by half of all Americans, this essential primer will forever change the way the world thinks about cannabis, its benefits, and the laws governing its use.
The Cannabis Manifesto is both a call to action and a radical vision of humans' relationship with this healing but controversial plant. Steve DeAngelo, the founder of Harborside Health Center, the world's largest medical-cannabis dispensary, presents a compelling case for cannabis as a wellness catalyst that must be legalized. His view that there is no such thing as recreational cannabis use challenges readers to rethink everything they thought they knew about marijuana.
The Cannabis Manifesto answers essential questions about the plant, using extensive research to fuel a thoughtful discussion about cannabis science and law, as well as its biological, mental, and spiritual effects on human beings. With a cultural critic's eye peering through the lens of social justice, DeAngelo explains how cannabis prohibition has warped our most precious institutions—from the family, to the workplace, to the doctor’s office and the courtroom. In calling for a realistic national policy on a substance that has been used by half of all Americans, this essential primer will forever change the way the world thinks about cannabis, its benefits, and the laws governing its use.
230 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2015
107 people are currently reading
776 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 25, 2016
This book makes some really good points. I'm not at all familiar with the cannabis controversy; my main source of knowledge comes from my stoner friends' Facebook memes, and the book does a good job of explaining the topic. However, it was not very well written. It reads like a high school research paper. The author waxes poetic about cannabis in a downright cheesy way, uses some pretty bad figurative language (the example that jumped out at me the most was comparing a crack down on marijuana laws to Germany in 1932 - cringe), and it's not well organized. He'll jump from point to point and goes on tangents that don't support the main point. In his chapter about how reform is a social justice issue, I thought he'd discuss things like racial disparity in incarceration and the ableism of imprisoning people for self-medication. Instead he barely addresses the first point, then rambles about how he participated in the March on Washington and then starts going on about how he started selling hemp jewelry. Overall it's a good way to learn about the topic but just a bit annoying to read.
Disaimer: I won this in a goodreads giveaway
Disaimer: I won this in a goodreads giveaway
December 2, 2020
Read this for work and really enjoyed it. It is a little more biographical than manifesto but the stories within gave voice to the many victims of prohibition.
May 23, 2024
Quite interesting at the beginning, especially as he dives into the history of cannabis - which is practically as ancient as the history of mankind - and how modern prohibition is closely (actually quite directly) tied to racism mingled with colonialism and fear of the “other.” His argument for not just legalizing cannabis, but embracing its use for enhancing wellness, is well laid out and compelling. However, as he gets into nitty gritty specifics of modern legal battles, the book becomes a little tedious and overly detailed. Much of it reads like an advertisement for his own cannabis companies. And of course, given the publication date, much of the book is outdated now as state/national laws and public mindset continue to shift. I’d much prefer to find a book that puts a deeper focus on the biology and psychology of cannabis and how it has been used throughout human history.
March 17, 2021
Every single point made in this book is worth serious consideration. Every person who is even remotely interested in Cannabis should read this book. Steve DeAngelo thoroughly explains the history of Cannabis and elaborates on the reasons behind his main points of the manifesto, which are: Cannabis is not harmful, but prohibition is -- Cannabis should never have been made illegal -- Cannabis has always been a medicine -- Choose cannabis for wellness, not intoxication -- Cannabis reform doesn't harm communities, it strengthens them -- Cannabis should be taxed and regulated as a wellness product -- Cannabis reform is a social justice movement -- Legalization cannot and will not be stopped.
April 10, 2020
3.5 stars - It was really good.
October 12, 2021
Solid information
April 6, 2016
With legalization gaining steam across the nation, it seems we are about to close the chapter on cannabis prohibition in the long, sordid history of America’s “War on Drugs.” The question is no longer “Will we have full legalization?” but “How soon?” There will no doubt continue to be heated debates about cannabis’s place in American society, but Steve DeAngelo’s The Cannabis Manifesto makes a strong case not only that legal cannabis is here to stay, but that its growing acceptance in our society should be roundly celebrated.
DeAngelo is a figure with decades of cannabis activism under his belt. Cannabis supporters of all stripes owe him a serious debt of gratitude. Drawing from his deep love for and long history with this remarkable plant, DeAngelo has crafted eight simple maxims that comprise his Manifesto:
––Cannabis is not harmful, but prohibition is.
––Cannabis should never have been made illegal.
––Cannabis has always been a medicine.
––Choose cannabis for wellness, not intoxication.
––Cannabis reform doesn’t harm communities, it strengthens them.
––Cannabis should be taxed and regulated as a wellness product.
––Cannabis reform is a social-justice movement.
––Legalization cannot and will not stopped.
As an unabashed supporter of cannabis, DeAngelo defends each of these maxims with special vigor. His ebullience, however, doesn’t come without the proper support; this slim treatise contains numerous citations, with nearly twenty pages of notes at the end. The Cannabis Manifesto should be taken seriously by cannabis advocates and skeptics alike.
I’ve been a regular cannabis user since my late teens, but have only recently begun to discover its unique place in past and present human cultures. DeAngelo makes it clear that cannabis has always been with us, even when we tried to ignore, destroy, or marginalize it. He is especially candid when describing the absurd contradictions that cannabis prohibition has foisted on modern Americans:
"All over the U.S., parents are hiding their cannabis use from their children, while children are hiding it from their parents. Teachers hide it from their students, and students hide it from their teachers. Professionals hide their cannabis use from the clients they serve, and the clients hide it from the professionals who advise them. Employees hide it from their employers, and employers hide it from their employees. And everybody hides it from the cops." (7)
Compounding this unpleasant situation, DeAngelo points out that cannabis prohibition in America has always been linked to discrimination against disenfranchised populations. Describing the legacy of the disgraceful Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, he writes:
"The real issue wasn’t cannabis––it was the people who were using it. Today’s pattern of disproportionate enforcement has been with us since the start of cannabis prohibition. It has never been an unintended consequence." (23)
This is the kind of blunt language we need to precipitate the wave of assent that will finally end prohibition. The plain truth is that cannabis helps millions of Americans treat a wide variety of physical and psychological problems; additionally, droves of “healthy” and responsible cannabis users simply love to get high––and doing so is demonstrably good for us. The sooner our society can own up to that and move forward, the healthier we’ll be.
One of DeAngelo’s strongest assertions is that all cannabis use (not misuse) should be understood as making a positive contribution to the user’s overall wellness. He explains:
"I believe there is no such things as the recreational use of cannabis. The concept is equally embraced by prohibitionists and self-professed stoners, but it is self-limiting and profoundly unhealthy. Defining cannabis consumption as elective recreation ignores fundamental human biology and history, and devalues the very real benefits the plant provides…The vast majority of cannabis use is for wellness purposes." (66-7)
Although I’m unsure how one might conclusively prove that the “vast majority of cannabis use is for wellness purposes,” I think DeAngelo is basically correct. Our mainstream media has adroitly parroted the drug war ideology of the last few decades, readily bringing our attention to cannabis’s potential to negatively affect individuals and groups. Due to the stigma and fear that arises from this dynamic, we don’t often celebrate the millions of moments every day that responsible cannabis use helps someone heal, stave off chronic pain, relax, have fun, or see the world a different way. When was the last time you read a news story about a college freshman who smoked a joint with his friends and danced his exultant ass off at a concert for the first time? And––more importantly––why should we accept the suggestion that this behavior merely constitutes “recreational use of a controlled substance” and not an instance of increased wellness?
If you accept the wellness paradigm, then DeAngelo suggests that you should also support lenient tax policies for the cannabis industry. I used to say, “Sure, let’s legalize it––then tax the hell out of it and throw the money at our schools and infrastructure.” And while I still believe that should be done to an extent, DeAngelo convinced me that it’s equally important to implement tax structures that expand and preserve the cannabis industry rather than stifling its growth.
If you’re afraid legalization will lead to a small number of huge corporations eventually dominating the cannabis market, DeAngelo has you covered. Cannabis––with its diverse array of chemical elements, strains, delivery methods, and psychoactive/bodily effects––turns out to be the antithesis of alcohol, which has only one active ingredient and affects the human body with stark and deleterious uniformity. DeAngelo recommends that we “avoid the kind of concentration seen in the alcohol industry,” and rightly points out that “no single type of cannabis or manner of delivering it will work for everybody––a wide choice of business models and product types will be necessary to satisfy different market niches” (82). He advocates for a vibrant, intelligently-regulated free market that will reward the best and safest practices while simultaneously marginalizing inferior and black market products. Happily, this is an approach that liberal reformers and pro-business conservatives can both get behind.
Although I think this is a valuable book overall, I have a couple minor critiques that bear mentioning. The first is that DeAngelo hurts his case by associating medical cannabis with controversial “alternative” and “holistic” practices. Here’s a list of services offered at the Harborside Health Center, the Oakland dispensary he founded:
"[The clinic] provides acupuncture, chiropractic, therapeutic yoga, nutritional counseling, herbal therapy, naturopathy, Alexander Technique, Reiki, hypnosis, and any other holistic therapy we find effective or interesting." (148)
The efficacy of more than a few of these practices is hotly disputed within the medical community, and at least two or three of them boil down to the placebo effect or downright pseudoscience. It’s somewhat mollifying that Harborside offers these “treatments” free of charge, but even so, the overall picture won’t help sway people who are incredulous about cannabis’s status as a legitimate wellness product.
My second complaint is that DeAngelo seems a bit too comfortable avoiding the potential downsides of cannabis use. The text mentions “misuse” a few times, but always fleetingly. While DeAngelo doesn’t explicitly support cannabis use by children or teens (unless it’s a special medical case), he also downplays the possibility that cannabis use might negatively affect the brains of young people––or adults, for that matter. The research here doesn’t seem to be entirely settled, so it would have been nice if DeAngelo had explored both perspectives more thoroughly. But then again, we’re already inundated with reports and testimonials about how destructive and unhealthy cannabis use can be; it’s perhaps unfair to ask DeAngelo to throw us back into that ocean of mistrust, even if some of it is warranted.
DeAngelo leaves us with a insightful and poignant message:
"We are all born into the same web of life; we are all children of Mother Nature, and cannabis is one of the most precious gifts she has given us. When handled with care and respect, the plant can safely provide us with food, fuel, fiber, medicine, spiritual connection, and wellness. Cannabis is a birthright of all human beings, and nobody has ever been justified in trying to take it away from us." (174)
Today, DeAngelo’s lifelong dream of legal cannabis is only partly realized. With hard work, and a little luck, we can help him finish the job.
This review was originally published on my blog, words&dirt.
DeAngelo is a figure with decades of cannabis activism under his belt. Cannabis supporters of all stripes owe him a serious debt of gratitude. Drawing from his deep love for and long history with this remarkable plant, DeAngelo has crafted eight simple maxims that comprise his Manifesto:
––Cannabis is not harmful, but prohibition is.
––Cannabis should never have been made illegal.
––Cannabis has always been a medicine.
––Choose cannabis for wellness, not intoxication.
––Cannabis reform doesn’t harm communities, it strengthens them.
––Cannabis should be taxed and regulated as a wellness product.
––Cannabis reform is a social-justice movement.
––Legalization cannot and will not stopped.
As an unabashed supporter of cannabis, DeAngelo defends each of these maxims with special vigor. His ebullience, however, doesn’t come without the proper support; this slim treatise contains numerous citations, with nearly twenty pages of notes at the end. The Cannabis Manifesto should be taken seriously by cannabis advocates and skeptics alike.
I’ve been a regular cannabis user since my late teens, but have only recently begun to discover its unique place in past and present human cultures. DeAngelo makes it clear that cannabis has always been with us, even when we tried to ignore, destroy, or marginalize it. He is especially candid when describing the absurd contradictions that cannabis prohibition has foisted on modern Americans:
"All over the U.S., parents are hiding their cannabis use from their children, while children are hiding it from their parents. Teachers hide it from their students, and students hide it from their teachers. Professionals hide their cannabis use from the clients they serve, and the clients hide it from the professionals who advise them. Employees hide it from their employers, and employers hide it from their employees. And everybody hides it from the cops." (7)
Compounding this unpleasant situation, DeAngelo points out that cannabis prohibition in America has always been linked to discrimination against disenfranchised populations. Describing the legacy of the disgraceful Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, he writes:
"The real issue wasn’t cannabis––it was the people who were using it. Today’s pattern of disproportionate enforcement has been with us since the start of cannabis prohibition. It has never been an unintended consequence." (23)
This is the kind of blunt language we need to precipitate the wave of assent that will finally end prohibition. The plain truth is that cannabis helps millions of Americans treat a wide variety of physical and psychological problems; additionally, droves of “healthy” and responsible cannabis users simply love to get high––and doing so is demonstrably good for us. The sooner our society can own up to that and move forward, the healthier we’ll be.
One of DeAngelo’s strongest assertions is that all cannabis use (not misuse) should be understood as making a positive contribution to the user’s overall wellness. He explains:
"I believe there is no such things as the recreational use of cannabis. The concept is equally embraced by prohibitionists and self-professed stoners, but it is self-limiting and profoundly unhealthy. Defining cannabis consumption as elective recreation ignores fundamental human biology and history, and devalues the very real benefits the plant provides…The vast majority of cannabis use is for wellness purposes." (66-7)
Although I’m unsure how one might conclusively prove that the “vast majority of cannabis use is for wellness purposes,” I think DeAngelo is basically correct. Our mainstream media has adroitly parroted the drug war ideology of the last few decades, readily bringing our attention to cannabis’s potential to negatively affect individuals and groups. Due to the stigma and fear that arises from this dynamic, we don’t often celebrate the millions of moments every day that responsible cannabis use helps someone heal, stave off chronic pain, relax, have fun, or see the world a different way. When was the last time you read a news story about a college freshman who smoked a joint with his friends and danced his exultant ass off at a concert for the first time? And––more importantly––why should we accept the suggestion that this behavior merely constitutes “recreational use of a controlled substance” and not an instance of increased wellness?
If you accept the wellness paradigm, then DeAngelo suggests that you should also support lenient tax policies for the cannabis industry. I used to say, “Sure, let’s legalize it––then tax the hell out of it and throw the money at our schools and infrastructure.” And while I still believe that should be done to an extent, DeAngelo convinced me that it’s equally important to implement tax structures that expand and preserve the cannabis industry rather than stifling its growth.
If you’re afraid legalization will lead to a small number of huge corporations eventually dominating the cannabis market, DeAngelo has you covered. Cannabis––with its diverse array of chemical elements, strains, delivery methods, and psychoactive/bodily effects––turns out to be the antithesis of alcohol, which has only one active ingredient and affects the human body with stark and deleterious uniformity. DeAngelo recommends that we “avoid the kind of concentration seen in the alcohol industry,” and rightly points out that “no single type of cannabis or manner of delivering it will work for everybody––a wide choice of business models and product types will be necessary to satisfy different market niches” (82). He advocates for a vibrant, intelligently-regulated free market that will reward the best and safest practices while simultaneously marginalizing inferior and black market products. Happily, this is an approach that liberal reformers and pro-business conservatives can both get behind.
Although I think this is a valuable book overall, I have a couple minor critiques that bear mentioning. The first is that DeAngelo hurts his case by associating medical cannabis with controversial “alternative” and “holistic” practices. Here’s a list of services offered at the Harborside Health Center, the Oakland dispensary he founded:
"[The clinic] provides acupuncture, chiropractic, therapeutic yoga, nutritional counseling, herbal therapy, naturopathy, Alexander Technique, Reiki, hypnosis, and any other holistic therapy we find effective or interesting." (148)
The efficacy of more than a few of these practices is hotly disputed within the medical community, and at least two or three of them boil down to the placebo effect or downright pseudoscience. It’s somewhat mollifying that Harborside offers these “treatments” free of charge, but even so, the overall picture won’t help sway people who are incredulous about cannabis’s status as a legitimate wellness product.
My second complaint is that DeAngelo seems a bit too comfortable avoiding the potential downsides of cannabis use. The text mentions “misuse” a few times, but always fleetingly. While DeAngelo doesn’t explicitly support cannabis use by children or teens (unless it’s a special medical case), he also downplays the possibility that cannabis use might negatively affect the brains of young people––or adults, for that matter. The research here doesn’t seem to be entirely settled, so it would have been nice if DeAngelo had explored both perspectives more thoroughly. But then again, we’re already inundated with reports and testimonials about how destructive and unhealthy cannabis use can be; it’s perhaps unfair to ask DeAngelo to throw us back into that ocean of mistrust, even if some of it is warranted.
DeAngelo leaves us with a insightful and poignant message:
"We are all born into the same web of life; we are all children of Mother Nature, and cannabis is one of the most precious gifts she has given us. When handled with care and respect, the plant can safely provide us with food, fuel, fiber, medicine, spiritual connection, and wellness. Cannabis is a birthright of all human beings, and nobody has ever been justified in trying to take it away from us." (174)
Today, DeAngelo’s lifelong dream of legal cannabis is only partly realized. With hard work, and a little luck, we can help him finish the job.
This review was originally published on my blog, words&dirt.
November 12, 2024
It’s time
This book is packed with information about how cannabis warrior fought for the right to have this God given plant to people to use for various reason. I witnessed first hand how alcohol can affect a family. In my opinion alcohol is far more dangerous than cannabis. Why isn’t alcohol scheduled as a scheduled one drug. It time to fully legalize cannabis so the million of people who need it can have access to it without the fear of arrest.
This book is packed with information about how cannabis warrior fought for the right to have this God given plant to people to use for various reason. I witnessed first hand how alcohol can affect a family. In my opinion alcohol is far more dangerous than cannabis. Why isn’t alcohol scheduled as a scheduled one drug. It time to fully legalize cannabis so the million of people who need it can have access to it without the fear of arrest.
March 24, 2019
Great account of cannabis history in the U.S., the world and how the government’s corruption chose to keep this healing herb from sick people. This book cited studies and research. It helped me appreciate the arduous work cannabis and health and wellness activists paved for people to enjoy the great and healig benefits of this plant. Awesome and educational book!
March 31, 2021
This book is fascinating. It would appear that the stories of cannabis have been severely manipulated... it’s hard to read this book and still have the sense that the way we (in the US) have dealt with cannabis use, production, and regulation is in any way rational or justified. Read this book and you’ll understand why.
January 7, 2018
Extremely informative and personal. I'd rate it higher if there wasn't so much about Steve's journey, but it's interesting just the same. Definitely a book for anyone interested in the world of cannabis, the business or the plant's healing capabilities.
February 10, 2018
A personal account of the life of marijuana activist Steve DeAngelo and how he got into marijuana advocacy, as well as his connection and experience pushing to legalize the plant in 1996. Pretty good point of view and account of a person who's well known and respected in the community.
October 22, 2019
appreciate the effort, but it would be fairer to call it "a Steve DeAngelo Memoir". covers the basics of a book trying to explain weed, but jumps from topic to topic talking more about his personal anecdotes than the in-depth analysis the book suggests.
February 27, 2020
I was expecting less information about the author's life and more on cannabis, but it was informative nevertheless. There are likely other, better books to read if you're looking for a deep dive into the history or medical use of the drug.
August 26, 2020
Knowledge and power within these pages
There is such Knowledge and power within these pages. I highly recommend this book for any curious about the history of the plant and it's social and legislative manipulation
There is such Knowledge and power within these pages. I highly recommend this book for any curious about the history of the plant and it's social and legislative manipulation
August 1, 2023
This book is a well-rounded overview of cannabis and its history in the United States. Lots of studies are referenced. The author shares his personal experiences and information he gained from other people in the cannabis space.
June 26, 2025
I really enjoyed exploring the topics of debate with cannabis and listening to this non bias view on the positives and negatives was brilliant. I enjoyed exploring the theories and how cannabis can impact different people. Very interesting.
August 28, 2017
A pretty ordinary book. I'm pro marijuana but this was pretty boring.
July 24, 2018
I appreciate the wealth and depth of information. Well written and with an easy flow. Empowering with evidence and citations. Loved it.
March 2, 2020
Some of it was interesting, but I felt like the author wrote this book just to have a good rant. 😊 I got a bit bored.
June 13, 2020
Awesome book about the struggle to obtain this herbal medicine. The struggles are vivid. The persecution unrelenting. Mr. DeAngelo is a true hero and a very noble man.
December 26, 2023
A few new things to learn, a bit repetitive at time, and half of the book seems like self-promoting Harborside, which is fine, if it is the focus of the book, which it shouldn't.
July 30, 2025
Quite informative!! Read with caution though since the book was written ten years ago and there still much to learn about cannabis.
March 22, 2017
Support the cause, but quite badly written book, or manifesto if you prefer
October 30, 2015
disclaimer: I worked at HHC for over 2 years in the early days
For a medical cannabis patient, I sure haven't done much reading about the history of prohibition. In this book, Steve details a lot of that. It's really quite embarrassing that prohibition is without scientific basis and has continued for so long.
I keep thinking about who is, in part, the intended audience of the book - people who do not consume cannabis. There is a lot here for those folks. There are stories about adults as well as children who have been helped by this medicine. There is first-hand history of the pro-cannabis movement over the last 40 years, written by someone who was there. There are stories about a successful business that pays a living wage (well, for medical cannabis patients in the Bay Area, it's pretty hard to get by on any wage, even starting at $14/hour) and provides health care and other benefits to its staff. There is discussion of the environmental impact of prohibition, and how legalization can help reduce these negatives as people come out of the shadows and share information about how to grow cannabis sustainably.
I think that the discriminating reader might be concerned by a number of issues that are mentioned in the book, and by those that are not mentioned. Is anyone else concerned that there are so few big players in the industry? Through Harborside, Steve has helped to start some very important businesses, most notably Steep Hill Lab and inspiring Clean Green certification. He has also started other dispensaries and been involved in consulting and investment groups. Is vertical integration (not mentioned per se in the book) bad? How much money does this man make, and how much does he need? Is there room for other people- people of color and women, for example- to play big roles in the movement? Do canned food drives that provide incentives (such as a free gram of medicine) actually provide healthy food for people in need? etc
The story about Lois, Steve's mother, and how cannabis helped her Alzheimer's, was touching. She was a sweet lady. My sister used to get really angry when I suggested cannabis to help my father with his lack of appetite, and later, his inability to eat or drink (and the pain that he felt as he was dying). It's just an herb, people, and the benefits of using it are innumerable!
For a medical cannabis patient, I sure haven't done much reading about the history of prohibition. In this book, Steve details a lot of that. It's really quite embarrassing that prohibition is without scientific basis and has continued for so long.
I keep thinking about who is, in part, the intended audience of the book - people who do not consume cannabis. There is a lot here for those folks. There are stories about adults as well as children who have been helped by this medicine. There is first-hand history of the pro-cannabis movement over the last 40 years, written by someone who was there. There are stories about a successful business that pays a living wage (well, for medical cannabis patients in the Bay Area, it's pretty hard to get by on any wage, even starting at $14/hour) and provides health care and other benefits to its staff. There is discussion of the environmental impact of prohibition, and how legalization can help reduce these negatives as people come out of the shadows and share information about how to grow cannabis sustainably.
I think that the discriminating reader might be concerned by a number of issues that are mentioned in the book, and by those that are not mentioned. Is anyone else concerned that there are so few big players in the industry? Through Harborside, Steve has helped to start some very important businesses, most notably Steep Hill Lab and inspiring Clean Green certification. He has also started other dispensaries and been involved in consulting and investment groups. Is vertical integration (not mentioned per se in the book) bad? How much money does this man make, and how much does he need? Is there room for other people- people of color and women, for example- to play big roles in the movement? Do canned food drives that provide incentives (such as a free gram of medicine) actually provide healthy food for people in need? etc
The story about Lois, Steve's mother, and how cannabis helped her Alzheimer's, was touching. She was a sweet lady. My sister used to get really angry when I suggested cannabis to help my father with his lack of appetite, and later, his inability to eat or drink (and the pain that he felt as he was dying). It's just an herb, people, and the benefits of using it are innumerable!
November 7, 2015
In The Cannabis Manifesto Steve DeAngelo lays out a very straightforward presentation about cannabis, from legal and economic issues to history and health matters. In doing so he shows how all of these factors, as well as others (racism, classism, etc), interact in both practice and debate. In other words, when a discussion starts out based on legal issues, whether the illegality in general or the contribution of it to the for-profit prison system, both history and race have to be included.
This book should be read by everyone who has, or claims to have, an opinion about cannabis. Research is referenced, including both medical studies and social research, and DeAngelo makes his points in a very rational and considered manner. For those on any side of the ongoing debates this book will provide the facts so often missing from the cliche-ridden discourse. If anyone continues to spew cliches but refuses to read this book it is simply evidence of something other than reality or logic driving the emotions.
Reviewed from a copy made available through Goodreads First Reads.
This book should be read by everyone who has, or claims to have, an opinion about cannabis. Research is referenced, including both medical studies and social research, and DeAngelo makes his points in a very rational and considered manner. For those on any side of the ongoing debates this book will provide the facts so often missing from the cliche-ridden discourse. If anyone continues to spew cliches but refuses to read this book it is simply evidence of something other than reality or logic driving the emotions.
Reviewed from a copy made available through Goodreads First Reads.
April 27, 2022
I won this book from Goodreads First-Reads, Thank You!
Now that said it in no way affects my review.
I would like to say that this has taught me some information that I didn't know about Cannabis, but also brought up information I already knew. It gave an interesting history of cannabis while stating facts, and referencing reliable sources. I planned to re-read this but my copy burnt in a fire.
I will say that there is so much information that it may seem dull to some, but those who want facts and knowledge will persevere.
I also must admit that this book made my admittedly low opinion of the Government sink even lower (Which I didn't think possible!)
Now that said it in no way affects my review.
I would like to say that this has taught me some information that I didn't know about Cannabis, but also brought up information I already knew. It gave an interesting history of cannabis while stating facts, and referencing reliable sources. I planned to re-read this but my copy burnt in a fire.
I will say that there is so much information that it may seem dull to some, but those who want facts and knowledge will persevere.
I also must admit that this book made my admittedly low opinion of the Government sink even lower (Which I didn't think possible!)
April 15, 2016
With the exception of Marx, when I usually hear the word manifesto I brace myself for pompous over bearing opinion pieces with little substance. Happily this read was not one of them. This is a good book for somebody who is new to the issues and wants to learn more and is interested in hearing about the other side of the drug wars. D'Angelo's style while bit self-righteous, is easily accessible for readers and people new to Cannabis history.
January 31, 2016
A must read. This book will help you understand the true history of this plant from the enlightening perspective of a life-long advocate. And most importantly he presents realistic reasons for why you need to reframe your thinking about this plant as a wellness product for our future.
November 15, 2016
Am interesting book by an interesting man. It's not the best written book ever, but it reads well enough and feels like you're having a conversation with the author. The contents are super intriguing and well cited. Definitely worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews