The Science of Marijuana [Paperback]

Leslie L. Iversen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0195151100 | ISBN-13: 978-0195151107 | Edition: 1

After alcohol and nicotine, marijuana is the most commonly used "recreational" drug in Western countries. There has already been a growing debate about the medical applications of marijuana and other cannabis-based preparations and increasing pressure to legalize such use; voters in several States in the US in the 1996 and 1998 elections approved prosals to implement such measures. In The Science of Marijuana the author explains the remarkable advances that have been made in scientific research on cannabis with the discovery of specific receptors and the existence of naturally occurring cannabis-like substances in the brain. The book also gives an objective and up to date assessment of the scientific basis for the medical use of cannabis and what risks this may entail. The recreational use of the drug and how it affects users is described along with some predictions about how attitudes to cannabis use may change in the future. Leslie Iversen is a scientist who has worked both in academia and in the pharmaceutical industry and has specialized in the study of drug actions on the brain. The book is written with a minimum of scientific jargon or technical language for readers who want to know more about the science that underlies the current cannabis debate.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Iversen has written an excellent, well-balanced, non-specialist book covering both the biological and social aspects of cannabis. I strongly recommend it" --Nature

"Not only could healthcare professionals, counselors, and researchers utilize this book as an excellent resource, the non-scientific public would find this book highly readable and insightful. With accurate documentation (over 170 references), the author provide readers with sufficient factual information uponwhich to formulate educated opinions on the issues surrounding marijuana as medicine and marijuana in our culture." --Doody's

"A remarkably well-balanced volume that provides the scientific background for the current debate on marijuana use.... A treasure trove of information about the history of marijuana use and legislation, and it effectively summarizes in lay terms the cannabinoid research that now offers a potential scientific foundation for medical, political, and legal decisions about marijuana." --Science

"Advances in cannabis research, particularly in neuroscience, are admirably described and critically discussed in this book by Leslie Iverson, an eminent pharmacologist with wide experiences both in academia and in industry. He presents the history, biology and medical aspects of cannabis with a critical eye, and superb writing style. Iverson's analysis of the "medical marijuana" issues and of the trend towards legalization is even-handed. He has written a well-balanced, non-specialist book covering both the biological and social aspects of cannabis." - Nature, Vol 407, September 2000

"The 'science' in this text includes history, economics, and some anthropology, as well as the chemistry and pharmacology of marijuana. Of particular interest are sections that discuss the brain's cannabinoid receptor and endogenous cannabinoids, while a review of marijuana's medical uses and possible health risks is very helpful. The book provides a broad, balanced review of this controversial drug and could help bring some light into an area long obscured by entrenched biases." - Guy Lord, MD, Readings: A Journal of Reviews and Commentary in Mental Health, March 2001

About the Author

Leslie Iversen is at University of Oxford.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (December 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195151100
• ISBN-13: 978-0195151107
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,214,314 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only for the sensible, July 23, 2000

By 

Ian J. Reynolds - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Science of Marijuana (Hardcover)

This is a highly readable volume that delivers a superb overview of the history, pharmacology and sociology of marijuana. Although the non-scientist may find it tough going in a few places, Iversen does an admirable job of presenting the technical issues with clarity. More importantly, the objectivity is unassailable. If you are looking for the book to tell you that marijuana smoking is perfectly safe you will be disappointed. Equally, if you seek justification of hysterical anti-drug rhetoric you will be unfulfilled. But, if you want to be educated and informed so that you can make your own judgement this is a great place to start. Highly recommended!

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Voice of Reason, July 20, 2000

By 

Dr Mitchell Earleywine "Dr. Mitch" (Albany, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Science of Marijuana (Hardcover)

A superb, accessible, scientific assessment of the pharmacology. medicinal uses, health consequences, and recreational effects of the most popular illicit drug in the world. Iversen stays as objective as possible in his discussions of this highly volatile and political topic. He puts nails in the coffins of many marijuana myths, including those related to alleged chromosomal damage and dramatic increases in THC content. He offers keen historical perspectives, and depicts difficult scientific ideas with ease.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent review of research on Cannabis's effects on brain, March 11, 2004

By 

Mark J Holley (Bothell, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Science of Marijuana (Hardcover)

First off as a pro-legalization person i must say this is not a book written by a "hippy" or Drug Prohibitionist; Leslie L. Iversen is Professor of Pharmacology at University of Oxford, he is the right person to be talking about THE SCIENCE OF MARIJUANA. This book helped me understand how Cannabis (a.k.a. Marijuana, Hemp, etc.) affects the mind based on the research & studies of the past. The book speaks of what is known about the interactions of the substance on the body & mind while not determining the effects of most of the long term health effects which are not known well enoft for Dr. Iversen to conclude. A main reason for the lack of research on Cannabis is because of, yes the U.S. government and others who would not allow any unbaised research after Pres. Nixion had the Schaffer report (which recommend full legalization of Marijuana) blew up in his face. This book gets into the technical working of Thc and is quite fascinating at times. Althought I would not reccomend it to those who can't handle a long books. So it might not be the best book to educate your teenager about the harms of drugs (even though i read it at 17). The book does leave you well informed on the medical aspects of Cannabis. I would say that this would be good to read if you want to take a stand of either side of the drug debate, cause if all the info you go by is form the anti-drug campain or NORML then you are uninformed and should shut-up if dont atleast take the time to find out the half of the whole story that surrounds Cannabis.