Marijuana Debunked: A handbook for parents, pundits and politicians who want to know the case against legalization

by Ed Gogek

Marijuana subtly damages the teenage brain, causing lifelong problems. Yet four million teens in Canada and the United States use the drug, a half million of them daily. For those who have heard only the pro-legalization side, this book presents the case against marijuana on an equal footing. In it, you will The scientific research refuting all the pro-marijuana talking points- Why marijuana is not safe for adolescents, especially those behind the wheel- How the news media helped to create an epidemic of teenage use- Why the promise of tax revenue is a mirage- Why legalization would be an economic burden on society- The misleading language used by pro-legalization partisans- Why marijuana laws that prohibit use are good for the public healthEd Gogek, MD, an addiction psychiatrist for 30 years, has treated more than 10,000 addicts and alcoholics in jails, prisons, homeless clinics, mental health centers and substance abuse treatment programs. His opinion pieces on addiction and mental health have appeared in the New York Times and over a dozen major U.S. newspapers. He received his medical training in Canada and the United States."Dr. Gogek has a unique ability to master the complex and hotly contested material to make it understandable. His book has a strong message that our nation, including both Left and Right, needs today when most discussions of drug policy are filled with dangerous misinformation."Robert L. DuPont, MDFirst Director of National Institute of Drug AbuseSecond White House Drug Chief"This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about accuracy and fairness in news coverage."Christine Tatum, Former National President, Society of Professional Journalists"Gogek lists all the pro-legalization arguments in detail, and refutes them exceptionally well."Library Journal

Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2015

Reviews

[Ed Gogek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course I gave it 5 stars: I wrote it. Although I'm a political progressive, I'm also a psychiatrist who works with drug addicts, and I see the problems marijuana causes. There are only 3 books making the case against legalization. Reefer Sanity, by Kevin Sabet, the leader of the anti-legalization movement, refutes the main pro-marijuana arguments. Bill Bennett gives a very Republican anti-drug argument. Marijuana Debunked is more comprehensive; it refutes all the pro-legalization arguments, plus explains why this has recently become a hugely successful cause, and describes how marijuana users think. This book describes the money behind marijuana, the failure of Republicans (who refuse to work with anti-drug Democrats), and especially the role of the news media. The book documents remarkable bias in the mainstream press and gives evidence that, without such one-sided reporting, Canada and the US would not have any medical marijuana or legalization laws. Many people have told me the book changed their minds on marijuana.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up as a counter to all the drug legalization books and articles I had read and I'm glad I did. It provides an important counterpoint to the legalization agenda.

Much false and misleading information has been given in the media on this subject. For instance, the drug legalization crowed loves to point out how overcrowded prisons are simply for drug possession. But Gogek sets the record straight when he delves into the numbers for Federal and State Prisons in 2011. Federal prisons made up only 13% of all inmates and the state prisons had the balance. Just over 50% of all inmates in Federal prisons were in jail for drug related crimes. However, only 18% of inmates in state prisons were incarcerated for drug related crimes. So the total amount of prision inmates in the nation for drug related crimes is just over 21%, not the 50%+ some media relates. What's more, 99.8% of all those in federal prisons were locked up for drug trafficking not just possession. This is just one example of the misinformation and confusion created by all this media attention.

Now, has the book convinced me that minor drug possession should be a felony? No. But it may have convinced me that drug possession should remain at least a misdemeanor and that they might be decriminalized but not legalized.

[Bryan Bridges · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-argued

[cmcharvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harry Anslinger reborn

While this book has a lot of valuable information, the writer is definately biased. While he points fingers at journalists, the entertainment industry as being gullable and actually supporting drug use. My biggest concern is with this book is the writer pushes the point that cannabis is not medicine. All anybody wants is to get stoned. The writer does support cannabinoid medicines if prescribed by a physician (Dranabinol, Cessamet and Epidiolex) which continues the practice of ensuring big pharma and physicians remain rich.

[Gabrielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was good at first and then it started repeating itself a lot and became dry almost like a textbook I couldn't finish it it got me into a slump

[Jeffrey Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope he writes another one.