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Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know®
Should we legalize marijuana? If we legalize, what in particular should be legal? Just possessing marijuana and growing your own? Selling and advertising? If selling becomes legal, who gets to sell? Corporations? Co-ops? The government? What regulations should apply? How high should taxes be? Different forms of legalization could bring very different results.
This second edition of Marijuana What Everyone Needs to Know® discusses what is happening with marijuana policy, describing both the risks and the benefits of using marijuana, without taking sides in the legalization debate. The book details the potential gains and losses from legalization, explores the "middle ground" options between prohibition and commercialized production, and considers the likely impacts of legal marijuana on occasional users, daily users, patients, parents, and employers - and even on drug traffickers.
This second edition of Marijuana What Everyone Needs to Know® discusses what is happening with marijuana policy, describing both the risks and the benefits of using marijuana, without taking sides in the legalization debate. The book details the potential gains and losses from legalization, explores the "middle ground" options between prohibition and commercialized production, and considers the likely impacts of legal marijuana on occasional users, daily users, patients, parents, and employers - and even on drug traffickers.
- GenresPoliticsNonfictionDrugs
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 13, 2012
28 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 5, 2014
I have yet to ever smoke marijuana so I don't know much about it. But I think it is crazy to waste so much money. This book was very informative about marijuana for me but would teach people who smoke as much as it taught me about the details of marijuana.
Before reading this book, I was pro legalization. But after reading it, I'm pro decriminalization but not pro legalization. And before you believe that it's worth it for tax revenues, you need to read this book to see why taxes may not benefit!
I like that there are so many viewpoints in this book so that you see this is not a black & white issue. This is a very complicated issue with many different ramifications no matter what we do. This book does an excellent job laying them out.
Before reading this book, I was pro legalization. But after reading it, I'm pro decriminalization but not pro legalization. And before you believe that it's worth it for tax revenues, you need to read this book to see why taxes may not benefit!
I like that there are so many viewpoints in this book so that you see this is not a black & white issue. This is a very complicated issue with many different ramifications no matter what we do. This book does an excellent job laying them out.
December 17, 2013
This book was very well written from a research point of view. Instead of there being a bias leaning towards liberals or conservatives, the authors have managed to incorporate a large amount of statistics and factual events to come to reasonable conclusions. In addition to it being a very factual book, a few solutions, along with their positive and negative qualities, are given. Another great thing about the book is that it is coming from reliable and knowledgeable sources, so you can trust the information you are reading. Although the book was interesting and thought-provoking, I would not recommend it to a friend looking for a fun new book to read.
June 27, 2013
Professors Caulkins, Hawken, Kilmer and Kleinman present a very readable and thought-provoking analysis of marijuana laws, harm, addiction, enforcement, the legalization debate and other issues surrounding current marijuana policy in the United States. Not a liberal interpretation or a conservative interpretation, but rather fact base and analytical. They present the good and the bad with some possible solutions. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the topic. They also authored a book on drug legalization in general which is good read to accompany this one.
March 7, 2019
Thorough and unbiased analysis of the current data with some weak arguments about legalization here and there, but not unbearable. It may be the one and only updated book, that deserves attention on this topic now. Unfortunately, there is a lot of unscientific literature, so be careful.
June 11, 2013
Extremely good survey of the established research and data around the issue without taking an opinion on what it implies for policy (the authors come from different places on this front).
January 27, 2019
I read the second edition published sometime in 2016. I am sure the next edition will have some catching up to do, but I still would recommend this to someone who wants to know the current situation with marijuana in the United States of America.
I consider myself purposefully politically ignorant. I find the political atmosphere to be extremely tiring although I do sometimes take the time to research specific pros and cons when it comes to initiatives, referendums, and legislative action is on my local ballot. However, this time I thought I would do a deep dive on a political issue just to mix things up and possibly make myself more informed.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought I would make an effort to slowly read this book because I wanted to absorb the information a bit better and the jargon and data analyses makes me really sleepy.
I was drawn to read this specific book on marijuana because it promised to give as much information about what is known and where things could go without framing the information on a pro or anti side. In my opinion as someone who never read up on the subject before, I think the book delivered and definitely let me make up my mind about what route I prefer when it comes to a substance that alters and could alter this country even more in the near future. I wish more books could just spew out the information that can support any or no sides at all. Making people decide for themselves is preferable to automatically siding with the first ideology that only matches some of one's principles.
It was also a nice touch for the authors of the book to list their own preferred paths for marijuana in America. I felt nice that the facts were laid out and THEN their opinions and reasoning. Because they gave the facts for readers to decide first I think I was able to understand the pros and flaws of each stance better after being first educated on the ins and outs of those stances.
This is not the most thrilling read since I already mentioned being sleepy when reading and it deals with politics. However, it is thrilling to have a better grasp of a subject that often is misrepresented by pro/anti-legalization advocates, pro/anti-decriminalization advocates, and everyone in between. Everybody probably knows, but knowledge is power, which is objectively cool.
So, definitely recommend even to people who don't think they have any stakes in the matter. I have never smoked any recreational drugs in my life, and I still found this to be a good read.
Sidenote: The cannabis leaf on the front cover just stared at me, and made me self-conscious to read in public. I probably should not feel self-conscious, but easier said than done.
EDIT: Why is only Jonathan P. Caulkins listed as a contributor? Beau Kilmer and Mark A.R. Kleiman were also contributing authors. Give credit, goodreads, you goof. END EDIT
I consider myself purposefully politically ignorant. I find the political atmosphere to be extremely tiring although I do sometimes take the time to research specific pros and cons when it comes to initiatives, referendums, and legislative action is on my local ballot. However, this time I thought I would do a deep dive on a political issue just to mix things up and possibly make myself more informed.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought I would make an effort to slowly read this book because I wanted to absorb the information a bit better and the jargon and data analyses makes me really sleepy.
I was drawn to read this specific book on marijuana because it promised to give as much information about what is known and where things could go without framing the information on a pro or anti side. In my opinion as someone who never read up on the subject before, I think the book delivered and definitely let me make up my mind about what route I prefer when it comes to a substance that alters and could alter this country even more in the near future. I wish more books could just spew out the information that can support any or no sides at all. Making people decide for themselves is preferable to automatically siding with the first ideology that only matches some of one's principles.
It was also a nice touch for the authors of the book to list their own preferred paths for marijuana in America. I felt nice that the facts were laid out and THEN their opinions and reasoning. Because they gave the facts for readers to decide first I think I was able to understand the pros and flaws of each stance better after being first educated on the ins and outs of those stances.
This is not the most thrilling read since I already mentioned being sleepy when reading and it deals with politics. However, it is thrilling to have a better grasp of a subject that often is misrepresented by pro/anti-legalization advocates, pro/anti-decriminalization advocates, and everyone in between. Everybody probably knows, but knowledge is power, which is objectively cool.
So, definitely recommend even to people who don't think they have any stakes in the matter. I have never smoked any recreational drugs in my life, and I still found this to be a good read.
Sidenote: The cannabis leaf on the front cover just stared at me, and made me self-conscious to read in public. I probably should not feel self-conscious, but easier said than done.
EDIT: Why is only Jonathan P. Caulkins listed as a contributor? Beau Kilmer and Mark A.R. Kleiman were also contributing authors. Give credit, goodreads, you goof. END EDIT
October 29, 2018
The most thoroughly thought out analysis of marijuana legalization that I have ever read.
However, my gut instinct is that there is a lack of positive attributions to marijuana that this book misses, and perhaps all analysis of marijuana (and drugs in general). Even though there is some talk of the qualitative benefits of marijuana I think it hasn't been full investigated.
Even so, I think the thoroughness of investigation, and the clarity of how different aspects of marijuana policy can be measured quantitatively.
However, my gut instinct is that there is a lack of positive attributions to marijuana that this book misses, and perhaps all analysis of marijuana (and drugs in general). Even though there is some talk of the qualitative benefits of marijuana I think it hasn't been full investigated.
Even so, I think the thoroughness of investigation, and the clarity of how different aspects of marijuana policy can be measured quantitatively.
July 29, 2019
Comprehensive look at the issue, every sub-topic imaginable is covered. Appreciated the authors statistically driven approach and critique of various studies. Hard to say, but this may be the best book out there on the subject
May 25, 2017
very informative on both the negatives and positives of medical marijuana
definitely recommend
definitely recommend
March 20, 2018
Information, presents all sides of the debate. Lots of facts and historical context.
May 5, 2019
Very interesting book that will be useful to people on all sides of the debate.
April 25, 2022
A bit dated at this time. Since it's about ten years old. Things have changed quite a bit. At least here in Canada.
October 12, 2022
A thorough and thoughtful book on marijuana and its legalisation.
February 27, 2015
Four experts in drug policy answer 149 questions about legalization and its implications. The analysis is well balanced, neither advocating nor attacking legalization, but presenting the pros and cons, the costs and benefits, and the gradation of options between prohibition and legalization.
The authors agree the status quo imposes high social costs, while having the single benefit of somewhat reduced usage compared to what it would be if legalized.
Legalization would reduce law enforcement costs since possession of small amounts of marijuana would no longer lead to arrest, prosecution, and, in some cases, incarceration of thousands of people a year. The Chicago PD, for instance, has been arresting about 22,000 people a year for possession – the leading cause of arrests.
The key issue is whether the benefits of legalization – such as ending the black market and greatly reducing law enforcement costs -- would outweigh the cost of the inevitable increased usage of an intoxicating drug. Unfortunately, Americans see drugs as black or white, legal or illegal, rather than recognizing the various steps in between that would better serve public health and safety.
The authors agree the status quo imposes high social costs, while having the single benefit of somewhat reduced usage compared to what it would be if legalized.
Legalization would reduce law enforcement costs since possession of small amounts of marijuana would no longer lead to arrest, prosecution, and, in some cases, incarceration of thousands of people a year. The Chicago PD, for instance, has been arresting about 22,000 people a year for possession – the leading cause of arrests.
The key issue is whether the benefits of legalization – such as ending the black market and greatly reducing law enforcement costs -- would outweigh the cost of the inevitable increased usage of an intoxicating drug. Unfortunately, Americans see drugs as black or white, legal or illegal, rather than recognizing the various steps in between that would better serve public health and safety.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews