Offbeat Marijuana: The Life and Times of the World's Grooviest Plant both a serious and lighthearted look at the historical, legal, political, medicinal and social aspects of what has been called the world's most versatile plant. Chronicling the history of marijuana--from it's use by the Chinese in 3,000 B.C.E. to battle malaria, to the burgeoning American hemp industry of the 17th and 18th centuries, to the politically motivated demonization of the 1930s, to the U.S. government's directive to farmers to grow "Hemp for Victory" during World War II, to its enduring presence in late-20th century popular culture--Offbeat Marijuana offers a guided tour of the marijuana universe for friend and foe alike. Colorful personalities abound, from treasury official Harry Anslinger to hipster Bernia Brightman. The slang, the celebrities, the accessories, the music and art--it's all here. Hundreds of photos and illustrations bring this unique book to life.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Rubin's entertaining and provocative cultural history of pot recounts Robert Mitchum's famous 1948 reefer contretemps, significantly notes medical marijuana advocate Robert Randall (coauthor of Marijuana Rx ), and includes an earnest essay exploring industrial and other nonrecreational uses of the evil weed. A special place in the text, rather like one in Hades, is reserved for Harry J. Anslinger, "the government official most responsible for creating anti-marijuana hysteria in America." Heading the Federal Bureau of Narcotics 1930^-62, Anslinger spewed antimarijuana invective, some of which Rubin wryly repeats. With many illustrations, glib boxed features, and a snappy style, the book could be one of those casual-to-a-fault "for dummies" guidebooks. It contains a lot of information, delivered in the light and chatty manner of many antipot screeds. Notable for recalling how yellow journalism and demonization of certain social groups helped in the criminalization of marijuana and other drugs, it is definitely promarijuana, perhaps too much so for some to put in their intellectual freedom pipes and smoke. Mike Tribby
Review
"Offbeat Marijuana is a well-researched chronology of the most medically useful plant on the planet." -- Dennis Peron, San Francisco Cannabis Buyer's Club founder, and legalization activist
"Even if you don't get high, Saul Rubin's factual accounting of the other benefits of this magic weed should explode some of the myths and inform the public of something I've known all along. I think this book will hasten the legalization of marijuana." -- Tommy Chong, comedian and actor
"I highly recommend Offbeat Marijuana; come to think of it, I highly recommend the herb, too!" -- Ray Manzarek, poet and musician, The Doors
"Let My People Grow!" -- Wavy Gravy, 60s icon
"Let me offer praise for Offbeat Marijuana. Finally, a book on the decriminalizing side of the marijuana debate that doesn't take itself too seriously--sort of a giggling high." -- Robert Scheer, Los Angeles Times
"new pot book is groovy, man! [I]mportant and noteworthy information is presented in a very nonchalant, laid-back argument, on pages decorated with all kinds of green graphics and silly photos, as well as definitions for various pothead terms, such as "grasshopper" and "boot the gong." Overall, Offbeat Marijuana does an excellent job of combing the relevant political argument for decriminalization with eccentric offbeat spirit of the drug itself." -- Phil Maher, Daily Vidette, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
"Even if you don't get high, Saul Rubin's factual accounting of the other benefits of this magic weed should explode some of the myths and inform the public of something I've known all along. I think this book will hasten the legalization of marijuana." -- Tommy Chong, comedian and actor
"I highly recommend Offbeat Marijuana; come to think of it, I highly recommend the herb, too!" -- Ray Manzarek, poet and musician, The Doors
"Let My People Grow!" -- Wavy Gravy, 60s icon
"Let me offer praise for Offbeat Marijuana. Finally, a book on the decriminalizing side of the marijuana debate that doesn't take itself too seriously--sort of a giggling high." -- Robert Scheer, Los Angeles Times
"new pot book is groovy, man! [I]mportant and noteworthy information is presented in a very nonchalant, laid-back argument, on pages decorated with all kinds of green graphics and silly photos, as well as definitions for various pothead terms, such as "grasshopper" and "boot the gong." Overall, Offbeat Marijuana does an excellent job of combing the relevant political argument for decriminalization with eccentric offbeat spirit of the drug itself." -- Phil Maher, Daily Vidette, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thank you Mr. Rubin,
By "dbear274" (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Offbeat Marijuana: The Life and Times of the World's Grooviest Plant (Paperback)
I enjoyed reading the book so much that I bought my very anti-pot parents a copy, and they even enjoyed it. This book is superbly written. Giving an in depth look at the history and culture surround this wonderful [plant], Mr. Rubin delivers a product that swept me away in its thoroughness and style. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. His facts are well laid out, with clear insight into the who, what, where and when. Mr. Rubin's book is even handed in its approach, not laying on a heavy pro-pot bias that other books do. I found this book refreshing, eye opening, and a total pleasure to read. I hope that you take the time to sit down and enjoy this book. Thank you to Mr. Rubin for teaching me so much, and making it so fun to learn it!
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Connoisseur's Cannabis Compendium!,
By Alex Icon (Casa Viv, Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Offbeat Marijuana: The Life and Times of the World's Grooviest Plant (Paperback)
This book has just about everything you'd ever want to know about marijuana, and it's written in a "head-friendly" prose style that makes it an excellent diversion whilst indulging. The graphics, many quite lurid, harken back to a simpler (read: stupider) time that is thankfully past. Congratulations to Santa Monica Press for having the balls to print this outstanding tome!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thank you Mr. Rubin,
By "dbear274" (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Offbeat Marijuana: The Life and Times of the World's Grooviest Plant (Paperback)
I enjoyed reading the book so much that I bought my very anti-pot parents a copy, and they even enjoyed it. This book is superbly written. Giving an in depth look at the history and culture surround this wonderful drug, Mr. Rubin delivers a product that swept me away in its thoroughness and style. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. His facts are well laid out, with clear insight into the who, what, where and when. Mr. Rubin's book is even handed in its approach, not laying on a heavy pro-pot bias that other books do. As someone who enjoys the occasional toke, I found this book refreshing, eye opening, and a total pleasure to read. I hope that you take the time to sit down and enjoy this book. Thank you to Mr. Rubin for teaching me so much, and making it so fun to learn it!
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