Pot planet: adventures in global marijuana culture

by Brian Preston

Follow the adventues of a globetrotting journalist as he tracks hemp culture from the cafes of Morocco to a new age commune in Australia, from the festival of the birth of the Lord Shiva in Nepal to Amsterdam's Cannabis cup.

Genres: Nonfiction, Drugs, Travel

289 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Sheehan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah yeah yeah, I know it's got a big weed leaf on the front cover, so everyone thinks, "he's a stoner" but what would they say if I was reading Naked Lunch? he's well-read...and that's junkie lit! heheheh

This book is pure travel journalism, following one well-spoken dude to many worldly ports of call to see how folks grow, gab and get their stone on all over. There are some great anecdotes, and eye-opening differences around use, policies directing use, as well and social norms around use.

I liked the distinction made between the different types of cannabis use, medical, recreational and ritual; and how each have their very own acolytes, enemies and conventions.

Very insightful...

[Gordon Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, educational, brilliant.

I loved this book. I am a travel writer by trade and a cannabis enthusiast, so it was as though this book was written for me. Travelling to many of the countries that I call my favourite places in the world, Preston gives us a remarkable insight into the way the world could work. He asks all the right questions, provides many a useful fact to which I was previously unaware, and brings it all together beautifully at the end with a heart-wrenching call to arms; a formulation of his own philosophical ideas, and paints a picture of the world that he (and I) want to live in. Add this to your bookshelf. Whether you are a pot smoker/ vaper/ eater or not.

[David Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pot Planet: Adventures in Global Marijuana Culture by Brian Preston (Grove Press 2002) (306.1).

This is by now a seriously dated state-of-the-world overview of the way that cannabis was regarded by various nations and cultures circa 2002 - and the world has changed a lot since then.

Author Brian Preston visited a dozen countries where marijuana use is accepted – some more openly and willingly than others - and wrote about what he saw and experienced. These countries included the U.S., Canada, Spain, Morocco, The Netherlands, Thailand, Great Britain, Australia, Nepal, and Cambodia among others. He sought out and visited cannabis smokers, growers and vendors in the various nations he visited and gained unique insights and perspectives from the way each culture treats the use of marijuana.

Thankfully, the world has become a more accepting place in the years since 2002. Even the U.S. is well on the way to legalization and not just decriminalization by restoring the historical status of this benign form of freely-distributed medicine. As the author notes, “The drug war is not over until the last prisoners are released.”

I purchased a used copy of this in like-new condition from McKay's Books for $4.00 on 6/1/20.

My rating: 7.25/10, finished 7/16/16.

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

[Alfred · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can get over the incredibly embarrassing pot plant on the cover (Dude, 4:20!), this book is actually pretty interesting. Preston travels to 12 countries from Asia to Australia to Europe dissecting the cannabis trade and experience worldwide. Clearly, not interesting if you're not into the topic (sadly, I kind of am), but if you are....

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and easy quick read. Preston's writing style is very much Vice meets Rolling Stone meets a more simplified version of Louis Theroux, but without the witty nuances of say Hunter S. Thompson or Howard Marks. The travel aspect of Pot Planet caught my attention the most and kept it from drying up when he delves more into the various legalisation movements around the globe.

[Craig Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to like it more than I do. The views are dated yet it does remind me of my early days as part of the culture. The stories and people that he encounters reminds us of how far we've come and how far we still have to go.

[Nick Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about smoking weed. You can tell because it has a giant fuckoff leaf on the cover. But it's also about travelling and having a laugh with some mates. And maybe that's okay (in moderation).

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an occasional pot-smoker, this book was quite educational for me.
I can't really remember the first time I tried weed, but like with most things in my life, I got into it quite late (possibly 17-18).
I don't really feel like smoking often, I can't roll a decent joint and most of the time it smells like shit to me. Recently I even smoked something so strong, here, in England, that it knocked me out for 2-3 hours and all I could do was lay on my bed and feel the pull of gravity x2 stronger, like the earth was trying to suck me in.Anyway.
If it wasn't for this book, I wouldn't have known that what I smoked was 99% certainly mixed with horse tranquilizers, which pretty much explains everything. Not relaxing and mellowing at all.Poor animals.
This is just a tiny example what happens to a product you buy without any knowledge whatsoever how it came into your hands, and how banning organic and natural cultivation, makes it more dangerous for the regular user.
"Pot planet" also gives quite a bit of explanation about the laws and regulations in many countries, most of which allow weed usage, but not cultivation, contradicting themselves and making the distribution business harder and harder.Many examples are written inside.
If you're not a smoker or even - if you're against marihuana, this book might seem like some hippies' moaning and complaining about the holy herb and their freedom, but it's much bigger. And denying its medicinal property is plain ignorant, so please, educate yourselves before you judge.

[Arlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book... I think it helps that I'm currently traveling myself and I think this book is an excellent travel companion. it is an interesting different perspective on things and the cultures throughout the world where only pot is concerned. something you wouldn't normally even consider...

[Stevie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started really well as a good travelogue with me racing throught the first half of the book however it slowly deteriorated after that turning more into a manifesto for marijuana change. Could have been alot better.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to get a travel book from a different perspective but it is not the best written book

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

i like it :)

[Kevin Malonson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read. Good resource to understand others' attitudes toward marijuana. .

[Rabinovich Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muchas cultutas, muchas perspectivas, solo una planta.

[Teddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting trip around the world exploring marijuana culture.

[JulieAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So insightful! So fun! Very informative.