Cannabis has rapidly evolved from a countercultural symbol to a subject of serious academic and medicinal interest. As legalisation spreads across various regions, understanding cannabis is not just about advocacy; it’s about informed decisions, both personal and societal. Cannabis books play a crucial role in this educational journey. They offer insights into the plant’s history, medical applications, cultivation techniques, culinary uses, and the ever-changing legal landscape.
Keeping oneself educated and up-to-date with credible and comprehensive cannabis literature is essential for anyone interested in the plant, whether for medicinal purposes, industry involvement, or general knowledge. These books provide a deeper understanding of cannabis, debunk myths, and pave the way for a future where cannabis is appreciated not just for its recreational value but for its vast potential in wellness, culinary arts, and even economic opportunities.
Cannabis Books on Cultivation
- The Cannabis Grow Bible: The Definitive Guide to Growing Marijuana for Recreational and Medicinal Use by Greg Green
- Year Published: 2017
- Synopsis: This comprehensive guide is tailored for growers seeking to maximise yield and potency. It introduces the “Screen of Green” technique, which allows higher yields with fewer plants — a crucial advancement for growers in regions where legal penalties are based on plant count. The book covers various aspects of cannabis cultivation with detailed explanations, making it a valuable resource for novice and experienced growers.
- Review Link: Goodreads​​​​
- Big Book of Buds Greatest Hits: Marijuana Varieties from the World’s Best Breeders by Ed Rosenthal
- Year Published: 2017
- Synopsis: Ed Rosenthal’s book compiles 95 essential cannabis strains from a larger collection of 400, providing insights into the origins, effects, and ideal growing conditions for each. This guide focuses on strains available for commercial cultivation and includes direct input from breeders, offering detailed knowledge for growers in states with legalised cannabis.
- Review Link: Cannabis Now​​​​
- Small Spaces, Big Yields: A Quick-Start Guide to Yielding 12 or More Ounces Indoors by Read Spear
- Year Published: 2013
- Synopsis: Targeted at hobbyists familiar with the basics of Cannabis cultivation, this book addresses the challenges of information overload and misinformation in the cannabis-growing community. It focuses on practical, high-efficiency growing techniques for substantial yields in limited spaces, making it an ideal resource for indoor growers seeking to improve their cultivation outcomes.
- Review Link: Goodreads​​​​
- True Living Organics: The Ultimate Guide to Growing All-Natural Marijuana Indoors – The Rev
- Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower’s Bible – Jorge Cervantes
- The Cannabis Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to Cultivation & Consumption of Medical Marijuana – Jorge Cervantes
- Marijuana Garden Saver: Handbook for Healthy Plants – JC Stitch
Cannabis Books on Medical Use
- Cannabis Pharmacy: The Practical Guide to Medical Marijuana by Michael Backes
- Year Published: 2015
- Synopsis: This book offers an evidence-based perspective on using cannabis to treat a variety of ailments and conditions. Michael Backes provides detailed information on how cannabis interacts with the body’s systems, the best ways to prepare and administer it, and how to modify and control dosage for effective results.
- Review Link: Goodreads​​
- Customer Review: The book is acclaimed for its comprehensive and practical approach, making it a standout choice among earlier books on medical marijuana.
- Review Date: 15 January 2015
- Review Link: Amazon​​
- Cannabis for Chronic Pain: A Proven Prescription for Using Marijuana to Relieve Your Pain and Heal Your Life by Dr. Rav Ivker
- Year Published: 2018
- Synopsis: Dr. Rav Ivker discusses the healing potential of marijuana for those suffering from chronic pain. He presents medical marijuana as a safe, non-addictive alternative to opiate pain pills, addressing the urgent need for reliable information on the safe and effective use of cannabis.
- Review Link: Barnes & Noble​​​​
- CBD: A Patient’s Guide to Medicinal Cannabis–Healing without the High by Leonard Leinow and Juliana Birnbaum
- Year Published: 2017
- Synopsis: This guide focuses on CBD (cannabidiol), a component of cannabis known for its relief properties for conditions like seizures, pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression, and arthritis. It guides various forms of CBD-based medicine, such as oil infusions, tinctures, capsules, and extracts.
- Review Link: Goodreads​​
- Review Date: 31 October 2017
- Link: Everyday Health
- Cannabis Revealed: How the World’s Most Misunderstood Plant is Healing Everything from Chronic Pain to Epilepsy – Bonni Goldstein MD
- The Medical Marijuana Dispensary: Understanding, Medicating, and Cooking with Cannabis – Laurie Wolf and Mary Wolf
Weed Books on Cooking & Lifestyle
- The Art of Weed Butter: A Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Cannabutter Master by Mennlay Golokeh Aggrey
- Year Published: 2019
- Synopsis: This book is a comprehensive guide to mastering the art of making cannabutter, a fundamental ingredient in many cannabis-infused dishes. It’s ideal for those looking to explore the culinary aspects of cannabis in their cooking.
- Review Link: Goodreads​​
- Bong Appétit: Mastering the Art of Cooking with Weed by Editors of MUNCHIES
- Year Published: 2018
- Synopsis: Based on the popular Munchies and Viceland television series, this cookbook features 65 recipes for sweet and savoury dishes, as well as cocktails, all infused with cannabis. It’s a creative exploration of the intersection between high-end culinary techniques and cannabis.
- Review Link: Goodreads​​
- Publish Date: 2 October 2018
- Review Link: Bookshop​​
- Cannabis Cuisine: Bud Pairings of A Born Again Chef by Andrea Drummer
- Year Published: 2017
- Synopsis: Chef Andrea Drummer, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, brings a sophisticated approach to cooking with cannabis in this book. It goes beyond the basics to explore how cannabis can be paired with ingredients to create unique and elevated culinary experiences.
- Review Link: Barnes & Noble​​
- Review Link: LibraryThing​​
- Publish Date: 2017
- Review Link: Nation’s Restaurant News​​
- Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails & Tonics: The Art of Spirited Drinks and Buzz-Worthy Libations – Warren Bobrow
- Sweet Mary Jane: 75 Delicious Cannabis-Infused High-End Desserts – Karin Lazarus
- Herb: Mastering the Art of Cooking with Cannabis – Laurie Wolf and Melissa Parks
- Wake & Bake: A Cookbook
Weed Books on History & Business
- The Emperor Wears No Clothes by Jack Herer
- Year Published: 1985
- Synopsis: This non-fiction book is a significant work in the history of cannabis, providing a detailed social history of the cannabis plant and its use. It delves into the political and economic factors that led to the prohibition of cannabis and argues for its decriminalisation. The book has been influential in the movement to change public perception and laws regarding cannabis.
- Review Link: Wikipedia​​
- Edition Note: The book has undergone several editions, with the 12th edition published by AH HA Publishing in 2010.
- Review Link: Goodreads​​​​
- Weed the People: The Future of Legal Marijuana in America by Bruce Barcott
- Year Published: 2015
- Synopsis: Bruce Barcott, an award-winning author and Guggenheim Fellow in non-fiction, explores the rapidly changing landscape of legal marijuana in America. The book provides a comprehensive view of the evolution of marijuana laws, the cannabis industry, and its potential future.
- Review Link: Amazon​​
- Release Date: 7 April 2015
- Review Link: Kirkus Reviews​​
- The Cannabis Manifesto: A New Paradigm for Wellness by Steve DeAngelo
- Year Published: 2015
- Synopsis: This book is both a call to action and a visionary perspective on cannabis, advocating for its legalisation and responsible use. It presents a radical vision of the relationship between humans and this often misunderstood plant, focusing on its wellness and therapeutic potential.
- Review Link: Goodreads​​
- Publish Date: September 2015
- Review Link: Amazon​​
- How I Became The Hash Queen – Mila Jansen
- Big Weed: An Entrepreneur’s High-Stakes Adventures in the Budding Legal Marijuana Business
- Craft Weed: Family Farming and the Future of the Marijuana Industry – Ryan Stoa
- Cannabis and Spirituality: An Explorer’s Guide to an Ancient Plant Spirit Ally – Edited by Stephen Gray
- The Pot Book: A Complete Guide to Cannabis – Edited by Julie Holland, MD
- Cannabis: A History – Martin Booth
- The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Cannabis: Concentrated Advice From 25 Industry Leaders – Michael Zaytsev
Conclusion
Exploring the cannabis world through literature is an enlightening journey that extends beyond the plant itself. It’s about understanding a movement, a culture, and the intricate details of a rapidly evolving industry. Whether a novice curious about the basics or a seasoned enthusiast seeking deeper insights, the diverse range of books available offers something for everyone. From the novice home grower to the medical professional and from the culinary adventurer to the historical researcher, these books serve as a testament to the depth and complexity of cannabis. As the conversation around cannabis grows, keeping informed through these thoughtfully curated books will ensure you’re not just a part of the conversation but also a knowledgeable contributor to it.
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