Marijuana: A Short History

by John Hudak

From “Reefer Madness” to legal purchase at the corner store With long-time legal and social barriers to marijuana falling across much of the United States, the time has come for an accessible and informative look at attitudes toward the dried byproduct of Cannabis sativa. A Short History profiles the politics and policies concerning the five-leaf plant in the United States and around the world. Millions of Americans have used marijuana at some point in their lives, yet it remains a substance shrouded by myth, misinformation, and mystery. And nearly a century of prohibition has created an enforcement system that is racist, and the continuing effects of racially-targeted over criminalization limit economic and social opportunities in communities of color. A Short History tells this story, and that of states stepping up to enact change. This book offers an up-to-date, cutting-edge look at how a plant with a tumultuous history has emerged from the shadows of counterculture and illegality. Today, marijuana has become a remarkable social, economic, and even political force—with a surprising range of advocates and opponents. Over the past two decades marijuana policy has transformed dramatically in the United States, as dozens of states have openly defied the federal government. A Short History provides a brief yet compelling narrative that discusses the social and cultural history of marijuana but also tells us how a once-vilified plant has been transformed into a serious, even mainstream, public policy issue. Focusing on politics, the media, government, racism, criminal justice, and education, the book describes why public policy has changed, and what that change might mean for marijuana's future place in society.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Science, Politics, Drugs

268 pages, Paperback

Published June 30, 2020

Reviews

[Joshua]

Fun, well written, and digestible history of Marijuana from the science to current policy. John, provides a clever analysis in his “Short History”, as well as utilizing quick wit providing both facts and recommendations for future considerations of marijuana policy.

[Brian]

This brief book is a great introduction to historical and current aspects of cannabis in the United States. In just over 200 pages, it covers the early regulation, prohibition, decriminalization, and legalization of cannabis use in a logical and digestible way. My main concern with the book is that large passages are unsupported by cited research. While I appreciate that the author is I afraid to dig into primary sources, I wish he had better logged his research in the endnotes. Nevertheless, the book offers the reader a kind of roadmap for understanding laws and policies around cannabis in an accessible and sometimes joyful way.

[Ashley K.]

My dad loaned me his copy because I had to write a memo on cannabis legalization, and this was the perfect resource, providing a succinct synthesis of the history of legalization in the US. It's a compelling read, just by laying out the facts -- it seems like it would be impossible to read it & walk away without sharing the author's view that legalization is long overdue and would be the most sensible policy for this long-misunderstood (and inappropriately scheduled) substance.

[Riley Dahlberg]

A wide topic related to marijuana that I was able to utilize multiple time throughout school. Helps to understand the relationship between the plant with police, economics, racism, and legalization. Filled with sources but easy to digest

[Karen]

Good short history of marijuana and its treatment by the US government. This explains why marijuana was placed on the most additive list and the results of such placement.

[Tauhid Chappell]

A condensed, and a bit more palatable, read on how marijuana was stigmatized and turned into a schedule I narcotic by the government

[Matthew]

Useful little primer.

[Ethan Michael]

Pithy & straightforward & a little dry

[Rae]

Very informative, a bit on the dry side.

[John Carmody]

Interesting read the covers the general history of cannabis up until the current day.

[Matt Stivers]

If you’re looking to find out how America got to be where it’s at with its relationship with cannabis, this is the book for you.

[Josh]

Marijuana = net good for America

[Art]

Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia now allow some form of marijuana. Half of Americans live in states with medical marijuana programs to get treatment for pain, anxiety, multiple sclerosis and other conditions.

This book gives good background on emerging policies by John Hudak, who describes himself as a political scientist not an advocate.

Gallup conducted a poll a few years ago that found a third of Republicans and two-thirds of Democrats support legal marijuana. Marijuana reform ideas made it to presidential candidate platforms.

Hillary supported moving marijuana to the next lower level of federal regulations, which would encourage research and increase knowledge. Bernie Sanders, of all the candidates, proposed the farthest-reaching reform: to regulate it more like alcohol or tobacco. John Kasich, after withdrawing from the race, signed a bill in June authorizing a full medical marijuana program in Ohio.

The benefits of reforming the system include an end to the failed drug war while creating new revenue through taxes and by creating marijuana tourism.

A good, quick, tight book about this emerging area of public policy.

Fresh Air, Wednesday, Oct 12, http://www.npr.org/2016/10/12/4975869...

[Melissa Rochelle]

Writing a short paper on marijuana policy? Read this book. Or need more sources for a larger project on marijuana and drug policy? Read this book and scour the footnotes. Want to be an educated voter when it comes to legalization of marijuana in your state? Read this book and find out more about the specifics of the ballot initiative.

This book is a quick look at marijuana policy in the US. It covers it from the very beginning of our nation when it was legal and grown (and occasionally used) by our Founding Fathers to present day where states rights meet Federal regulations meet the will of the people. It's it the most fascinating read, but it's definitely interesting and good to know.

It's especially fascinating to me that there have been multiple commissions on drugs/marijuana, etc and each time the commission reported back that marijuana was not nearly as harmful as previous reports suggested, that it should not be Schedule I, that it did have medicinal benefits, and that punishments should be more on par with fines than jail time. Because that definitely isn't what they taught me during all of those DARE programs.

[Matt Jadro]

This short history on cannabis was thorough, multidimensional, somewhat surprising, and, at times, incredibly dry. Knowing a lot of the historical nuance already, I wasn’t learning much of the contents for the first time but it was still interesting to learn deeper specifics around the US’s relationship with marijuana and the War on Drugs (from what I’ve learned recently, I think I would have been a mayor La Guardia supporter). Anyone interested in joining either side of the legal debate should read this first. 4/5