ABOUT THE BOOK:
The former editor-in-chief of Details and Star adventures into the fascinating "brave new world" of cannabis, tracing its history and possible future as he investigates the social, medical, legal, and cultural ramifications of this surprisingly versatile plant.
Pot. Weed. Grass. Mary Jane. We all think we know what cannabis is and what we use it for. But do we? Our collective understanding of this surprising plant has been muddled by politics and morality; what we think we know isn’t the real story.
A war on cannabis has been waged in the United States since the early years of the twentieth century, yet in the past decade, society has undergone a massive shift in perspective that has allowed us to reconsider our beliefs. In Brave New Weed, Joe Dolce travels the globe to "tear down the cannabis closet" and de-mystify this new frontier, seeking answers to the questions we didn’t know we should ask.
Dolce heads to a host of places, including Amsterdam, Israel, California, and Colorado, where he skillfully unfolds the odd, shocking, and wildly funny history of this complex plant. From the outlandish stories of murder trials where defendants claimed "insanity due to marijuana consumption" to the groundbreaking success stories about the plant’s impressive medicinal benefits, Dolce paints a fresh and much-needed portrait of cannabis, our changing attitudes toward it, and the brave new direction science and cultural acceptance are leading us.
Enlightening, entertaining, and thought-provoking, Brave New Weed is a compelling read that will surprise and educate proponents on both sides of the cannabis debate.
https://www.amazon.com/Brave-New-Weed-Adventures-Uncharted/dp/0062499912/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478063521&sr=8-1&keywords=brave+new+weed
MY REVIEW:
5 Stars.
I always love it when a writer can make a nonfiction book a pleasant read. So many of them are dry and boring. Not this one! It's not that he did anything specific such as humor or anything to lighten the mood - he just seems to be a master storyteller.
Of course, weed is not "new", but the title is definitely appropriate. The weed isn't new, but the general societal attitude about it is changing. The author points this out, but I'm going to say it in my own words the way I understand it. The political and social attitudes about marijuana are changing. No longer is it considered something "old hippies" do, and did back in the day. Nor is it considered something that someone does out of rebellion or some sort of midlife crisis necessarily. The author immediately sets the tone by normalizing marijuana use. He does this by pointing out people he is aware of who use: lawyers, businessmen. Successful people with jobs. Clean cut. Not what some might consider a typical "pothead."
I think this is a great book and much needed in today's changing times. This book helps dispel some of the myths of what a marijuana user is like, as well as helping shine light on the medical benefits of cannabis. Personally, I am intrigued by all of the medical research and the supposed benefits, as well as the stories of people who have achieved great relief of their chronic pain, seizures, and other medical issues with the help of marijuana. Although it is only legal in a few states, I think this will change as more is known about the benefits of marijuana, and as society's attitudes about its use changes.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for writing a review. I was not obligated to give a positive review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The former editor-in-chief of Details and Star adventures into the fascinating "brave new world" of cannabis, tracing its history and possible future as he investigates the social, medical, legal, and cultural ramifications of this surprisingly versatile plant.
Pot. Weed. Grass. Mary Jane. We all think we know what cannabis is and what we use it for. But do we? Our collective understanding of this surprising plant has been muddled by politics and morality; what we think we know isn’t the real story.
A war on cannabis has been waged in the United States since the early years of the twentieth century, yet in the past decade, society has undergone a massive shift in perspective that has allowed us to reconsider our beliefs. In Brave New Weed, Joe Dolce travels the globe to "tear down the cannabis closet" and de-mystify this new frontier, seeking answers to the questions we didn’t know we should ask.
Dolce heads to a host of places, including Amsterdam, Israel, California, and Colorado, where he skillfully unfolds the odd, shocking, and wildly funny history of this complex plant. From the outlandish stories of murder trials where defendants claimed "insanity due to marijuana consumption" to the groundbreaking success stories about the plant’s impressive medicinal benefits, Dolce paints a fresh and much-needed portrait of cannabis, our changing attitudes toward it, and the brave new direction science and cultural acceptance are leading us.
Enlightening, entertaining, and thought-provoking, Brave New Weed is a compelling read that will surprise and educate proponents on both sides of the cannabis debate.
- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: Harper Wave (October 4, 2016)
https://www.amazon.com/Brave-New-Weed-Adventures-Uncharted/dp/0062499912/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478063521&sr=8-1&keywords=brave+new+weed
MY REVIEW:
5 Stars.
I always love it when a writer can make a nonfiction book a pleasant read. So many of them are dry and boring. Not this one! It's not that he did anything specific such as humor or anything to lighten the mood - he just seems to be a master storyteller.
Of course, weed is not "new", but the title is definitely appropriate. The weed isn't new, but the general societal attitude about it is changing. The author points this out, but I'm going to say it in my own words the way I understand it. The political and social attitudes about marijuana are changing. No longer is it considered something "old hippies" do, and did back in the day. Nor is it considered something that someone does out of rebellion or some sort of midlife crisis necessarily. The author immediately sets the tone by normalizing marijuana use. He does this by pointing out people he is aware of who use: lawyers, businessmen. Successful people with jobs. Clean cut. Not what some might consider a typical "pothead."
I think this is a great book and much needed in today's changing times. This book helps dispel some of the myths of what a marijuana user is like, as well as helping shine light on the medical benefits of cannabis. Personally, I am intrigued by all of the medical research and the supposed benefits, as well as the stories of people who have achieved great relief of their chronic pain, seizures, and other medical issues with the help of marijuana. Although it is only legal in a few states, I think this will change as more is known about the benefits of marijuana, and as society's attitudes about its use changes.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for writing a review. I was not obligated to give a positive review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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