12 Essential Books About Cannabis and Its Use

Many people believe that cannabis pairs perfectly with reading. Whether it’s a scientific text, a philosophical treatise, or light science fiction, cannabis can make it easier to absorb information and spark the imagination. In this article, we’ll look at not just interesting and well-written books, but a variety of fiction and nonfiction works that explore the properties of cannabis in detail, offering arguments for its legalization and broader use. The list includes memoirs by activists, works by scientists and doctors, reflections by well-known journalists, and even cookbooks with recipes for unique dishes using cannabis or its extracts.

The list features 12 books, arranged in chronological order of publication for easy reading. As you’ll notice, some of these books were published long before the start of the American and international era of strict criminalization.

Artificial Paradise; Charles Baudelaire; 1860

In 1849, French physician Jacques-Joseph Moreau de Tours invited Paris’s most famous writers, artists, and poets to join a unique social club offering access to hashish and other psychoactive substances for “expanding consciousness.” Nearly all the invitees accepted, becoming the first members of the now-legendary Hashish Club. Among them were Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Honoré de Balzac, Charles Baudelaire, and other creative intellectuals.

Unlike many other club members, Baudelaire wasn’t a big fan of hashish, but the substance still influenced his life enough for him to write “Artificial Paradise.” The book discusses and analyzes the experiences he had with psychoactive substances. For example, he writes: “When consumed, hashish acts on the brain and body, greatly intensifying sensations. The substance itself doesn’t deeply affect a person’s character, only amplifying emotional experiences, the intensity of which fades with frequent use. Thus, hashish is nothing more than a mirror of the human psyche: it can bring out a person’s true self and feelings, without making any changes for better or worse.”

The LaGuardia Committee Report; New York Academy of Medicine; 1944

In early 1944, New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia released the results of years-long research into the properties and effects of cannabis, which had only recently been criminalized in the U.S. The report, prepared by scientists and doctors from the prestigious New York Academy of Medicine, compiled numerous studies on cannabis’s effects on the body and mind, supplemented by their own research.

The report, later published as a book, presented many arguments for legalizing and regulating cannabis production and sales. Supported by the medical academy, the report was signed by many prominent chemists, doctors, psychologists, pharmacologists, and sociologists. In short, the report concluded: “Even prolonged and chronic use does not cause physiological or psychological dependence, nor does it negatively affect the user’s morals. Even high doses do not produce any significant negative reaction, except mild intoxication. On the contrary, tests showed cannabis can dull pain and boost energy. Given these factors, the government should not only consider re-legalization but also fund further research into the plant’s medical properties.”

Unfortunately, even this strong scientific support wasn’t enough to stop Harry Anslinger, head of the newly formed Federal Bureau of Narcotics, from publishing a rebuttal in 1945. The rebuttal, published in a national medical journal, repeated many prohibitionist myths still used today to oppose cannabis reform. Some experts believe Anslinger himself wrote the anonymous rebuttal to protect his agency from being shut down.

Marijuana Reconsidered; Lester Grinspoon; 1971

Now a renowned expert on medical cannabis, Dr. Lester Grinspoon didn’t set out to write one of the “bibles” of the legalization movement. In the early 1970s, he was a skeptic, hoping his research would prove to society—and to his friend, scientist and science fiction author Carl Sagan—that cannabis was harmful. However, after studying medical archives, including the LaGuardia Report, Grinspoon, then a Harvard Medical School student, realized cannabis was a medicine, not a dangerous drug as government propaganda claimed.

His book, which was meant to prove cannabis’s dangers, ended up with a different title and message. After its publication, it became a countercultural blockbuster and a classic of cannabis science and culture. As a credentialed physician, Grinspoon’s work drew media attention and laid the foundation for America’s long road to regional legalization. Dr. Grinspoon continued to research and write about cannabis for the next 50 years, supporting further national and international reforms.

The Indoor Marijuana Horticulture Guide (“The Grower’s Bible”); Jorge Cervantes; 1983

Professional grower George Van Patten, better known as Jorge Cervantes, has sold millions of books on home cannabis cultivation. His works have educated generations of growers, both for personal and commercial use. His first and most famous book, published in 1983, is “The Indoor Marijuana Horticulture Guide,” also known as “The Grower’s Bible.” It’s a collection of his personal notes and observations from years working on underground plantations in Mexico and Southern California. The first, very limited edition (just a few hundred copies) found an eager audience, launching Cervantes’s literary career. Even as cannabis moves to large-scale farms, Cervantes continues to focus on home cultivation.

The Emperor Wears No Clothes; Jack Herer; 1985

Born in New York in 1939, Jack Herer was a typical working-class American who volunteered for the Korean War, hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps. He first tried cannabis at age 30, which changed his life and turned him into a legend of American and global cannabis culture. After quitting his job making signs, he moved to Venice Beach, Los Angeles, opened a head shop, and became an activist, informing people about cannabis’s benefits and the government’s conspiracy against it. He vowed to fight for full legalization and the release of “war on drugs” prisoners until victory or his death.

In 1981, while collecting signatures for a legalization petition, Herer was arrested for trespassing on federal property. During his two-week jail stay, he began writing his long-planned book exposing the U.S. government’s conspiracy against cannabis. He left jail with a completed manuscript written on napkins. Published in 1985 as “The Emperor Wears No Clothes,” the book caused a sensation among legalization supporters. Notably, Herer included a written promise in early editions to pay $100,000 to anyone who could disprove his arguments about the conspiracy. The title comes from Hans Christian Andersen’s tale about the importance of speaking the truth, even when everyone else prefers to believe a lie.

Mr. Nice; Howard “Mr. Nice” Marks; 1996

British citizen Howard Marks was a legendary international cannabis smuggler in the mid-20th century, known as “Mr. Nice,” until U.S. authorities caught and imprisoned him for up to 10 years in the late 1980s. Released a few years early, Marks retired from smuggling and wrote his memoirs, naming the book after his nickname. Despite its dark undertones, the book is a lively, candid, and uplifting story about a man who smuggled hashish not just for profit, but out of love for cannabis.

Marks first encountered hashish at Oxford University. Initially just another student who occasionally smoked, he soon met a Pakistani smuggler and an IRA arms dealer. With their help, he began organizing underground cannabis plantations in Britain and set up about 25 shell companies to launder profits. According to Marks, he used 43 aliases and worked with the Italian mafia and British and American intelligence agents. The book’s humorous, fast-paced style and Marks’s self-image as a “cooler James Bond” make it enjoyable even for those not usually interested in reading.

Shattered Lives; Mikki Norris, Chris Conrad, Virginia Resner, and RU Sirius; 1998

This book is the result of decades of work by activist authors, especially Mikki Norris and Chris Conrad. “Shattered Lives” was the first book to draw attention to the many victims of the “war on drugs,” particularly cannabis criminalization. Using photos and personal stories of Americans harmed by cannabis laws, it shows how U.S. and UN policies, called “humanitarian missions,” destroyed hopes for a better future for generations of Latino and African American communities, dividing families and blocking access to careers and education.

At the time of publication, the media largely ignored the suffering of those imprisoned for recreational or therapeutic cannabis use. The book’s call for amnesty for users, small dealers, and growers sparked a strong public response. It helped launch the current era of legalization activism focused on social justice, not just recreational and medical reform.

It’s Just a Plant; Ricardo Cortés; 2005

This children’s book by Ricardo Cortés introduces kids to the real properties of cannabis, bypassing media and educational propaganda. It’s a simple way to explain why parents might grow strange plants in a locked closet or enjoy “adult cupcakes.”

Published at a time when the U.S. and other progressive countries were reluctant to consider cannabis reform due to concerns about children’s health and future, “It’s Just a Plant” calmly and clearly explains to kids and parents what cannabis is, through the story of a little girl on a journey to learn about the mysterious plant. Along the way, she meets characters like a doctor, a farmer, and a police officer, each sharing their perspective. The author, also illustrator of “Go the Fuck to Sleep,” created many colorful pictures for this charming story. In short, “It’s Just a Plant” is a small, engaging, and colorful tale that explains cannabis’s uses to the whole family without glorifying or demonizing the plant.

Marijuana: Gateway to Health; Clint Werner; 2011

By the time Clint Werner’s book was published, much of Europe and America had realized cannabis wasn’t the dangerous drug prohibitionists claimed. Legal therapeutic cannabis systems had appeared in the U.S., Canada, and parts of Europe. However, most information about cannabis’s therapeutic properties was either in dry scientific texts or short, often emotional user testimonials. “Marijuana: Gateway to Health” organized all known information about cannabis’s therapeutic properties into one detailed, accessible book.

The book provides a thorough history of medical cannabis, ending with conclusions and advice on effective therapeutic use. In addition to general therapeutic properties, the author discusses using extracts for disease prevention and promoting longevity and well-being.

Smoke Signals; Martin Lee; 2012

Martin Lee’s book is perhaps the most comprehensive guide to the modern history of cannabis culture. On 528 pages, the author of the 1985 bestseller “Acid Dreams” covers not only global traditions and customs of cannabis use, but also stories from everyday users. A significant portion is devoted to the legalization movement and its battles with authorities, detailing law enforcement’s criminal actions that turned the “war on cannabis” into a profitable business under the guise of good intentions. Fortunately, the book ends at the dawn of the modern legalization era, which promises to end this criminal enterprise.

The Official High Times Cannabis Cookbook; Elise McDonough; 2012

One of the most comprehensive cannabis cookbooks, written by High Times journalist Elise McDonough. As the introduction notes, “In the era of legalization, cannabis cuisine can step into the future, where ‘cannabis-infused food’ means a variety of delicious dishes, drinks, and desserts—not just brownies stuffed with raw weed.”

The book received high praise from American culinary critics, including Jeffrey Steingarten, known as “The Man Who Eats Everything.” In his review for Vogue, he wrote: “The High Times Cookbook belongs in its own unique category. First, it offers a wide range of recipes for cooks of all skill levels, with clear, detailed instructions. Second, it includes guidance on adding the now-exotic ingredient of cannabis extracts, some of which are psychoactive. In other words, anyone—whether they use cannabis or not—can find something interesting, from simple cookies and brownies to exotic dishes like bhang, an Indian milk and cannabis drink.”

Beyond Buds; Ed Rosenthal and David Downs; 2014

Since the first issue of High Times, cannabis author Ed Rosenthal has written a column on cultivation, helping him become an expert in cannabis breeding and growing. In this book, Rosenthal, usually focused on cannabis flowers, explores alternative methods and forms of cannabis consumption beyond smoking buds. As the title “Beyond Buds” suggests, he covers making hash, oils, and extracts for food or vaping, and even exotic products like resins and purified cannabinoid concentrates. The book also includes Rosenthal’s thoughts on the future of the legal cannabis industry and culture, noting the rapid growth of new extraction technologies that will make cannabis products safer by removing carcinogens.