Our 8 Favorite Books About Cannabis

If you are in search of something new to satisfy your reading habit, why not try picking up one of the many books covering the fascinating and delightful world of the cannabis plant? From guides on cultivation and strain selection to evidence-based medical information and socio-historical analyses, there’s no shortage of intriguing books about cannabis to explore. 

Whether you’re an experienced consumer, a curious newcomer, or someone looking to deepen your understanding of cannabis, these reads have something to offer cannabis enthusiasts of all interests and experience levels. 

With topics spanning from the latest scientific research to the art of sophisticated consumption, we have compiled a list of books sure to excite and inspire any cannabis enthusiast. In no particular order, here are our eight favorite books about cannabis that you might want to try out the next time you require new reading material. 

Higher: The Lore, Legends, and Legacy of Cannabis, by Dan Michaels

Higher takes readers on a visually stunning and deeply informative journey through the history, culture, and science of cannabis. Tracing the origins of cannabis, the book details the rise and spread of modern cannabis culture, from the inception of prohibition and the war on drugs to the Hippie Trail of Central Asia and the efforts to achieve legalization. Alongside the historical events, Higher further explores the legends, visionaries, and cultural moments that have shaped the state of cannabis research, public image, and law in the present day.

With an engaging collection of fun facts and breathtaking photography by Erik Christiansen, Higher presents readers with a deep exploration of cannabis anatomy, detailing the plant’s intricate botany and breeding cycle. Revealing some of the fascinating techniques that have given rise to today’s potent and diverse strains, the book also showcases 100 of the most popular and influential cannabis strains ever created, providing a comprehensive guide to their lineages, flavors, terpene profiles, and effects. 

Aside from history and science, Higher also explores the many ways cannabis has been consumed across diverse users, demystifying various methods of consumption, such as smoking, vaping, edibles, tinctures, and more. This book’s mix of striking imagery and wealth of research-based information makes Higher both an essential reference and an aesthetic celebration of cannabis for any enthusiast looking for a fascinating read and some cannabis eye candy.

The Science of Weed: An Indispensable Guide to Cannabis, by Godfrey Pearlson

Renowned physician, psychiatric researcher, and Yale neuroscience professor Dr. Godfrey Pearlson provides an in-depth look at the origins and medicinal effects of cannabis. Covering the plant’s botany, chemistry, and historical interactions with humans, Pearlson details the mechanisms and effects of cannabis on psychology, behavior, and overall health through this evidence-based, approachable exploration of the intricacies of the versatile medicinal plant. 

With clear explanations of cannabis compounds and their chemical structures, the body’s internal cannabinoid system, and the mechanisms behind cannabis’s psychoactive effects, the book demystifies both the risks and benefits of cannabis consumption, separating fact from hype. 

The Science of Weed equips readers with the knowledge to make informed decisions about personal cannabis use and future public policy. It does so by providing an overarching viewpoint on the broader societal impacts of the cannabis industry, including its role in economic, healthcare, and legal debates

Cannabis Grower’s Handbook: The Complete Guide to Marijuana and Hemp Cultivation, by Ed Rosenthal

For decades, Ed Rosenthal has been a trusted authority on cannabis cultivation, teaching numerous generations of growers techniques for producing abundant, high-quality buds at home. In the Cannabis Grower’s Handbook, Rosenthal delivers a comprehensive guide on marijuana cultivation, covering the latest tools, techniques, and scientific advancements that make growing more efficient and sustainable than ever before. Whether you’re a first-time home grower or an experienced cultivator, this book is an essential guide to help you maximize your yields and refine your approach to cannabis breeding and cultivation. 

This useful handbook engages readers with a wide range of topics, from how to set up indoor and outdoor gardens to selecting the best strains, offering expert guidance on the peculiarities of growing high-THC, CBD, and auto-flowering varieties of cannabis. Plus, readers are presented with a multitude of helpful tips regarding advanced LED lighting systems, regenerative gardening techniques, pest management, and streamlined drying and curing methods. Providing clear explanations and step-by-step instructions, the Cannabis Grower’s Handbook makes even complex cultivation strategies accessible to growers of all levels, from hobbyists to large-scale commercial farmers. 

Featuring 600 pages of full-color photos, diagrams, and charts, Rosenthal’s enormous guide provides both foundational knowledge and cutting-edge techniques to apply to your growing endeavors. With input drawn from botanists and industry experts, the Cannabis Grower’s Handbook stands to be the most thoroughly researched and authoritative resource on marijuana cultivation today, making this book an indispensable companion for anyone looking to produce successful and bountiful cannabis harvests. 

Humboldt: Life on America’s Marijuana Frontier, by Emily Brady

Humboldt is a deep investigation into the famous California cannabis capital and its mysterious locals. After spending a year living in the legendary Emerald Triangle of Humboldt County in Northern California, journalist Emily Brady recounts the stories of this unusual community and its secretive inhabitants, who were supported for 40 years primarily by the illegal cultivation and sale of cannabis. 

However, in 2010, the community found itself divided over the issue of legalization when California’s (ultimately failed) Proposition 19 heralded an uncertain future for many residents’ livelihoods. Some community members were in favor of legalization as a way to legitimize their craft, while others wanted to continue benefiting from the inflated profits of the black market.

In a journalistic and narrative style, Brady gives an intimate account portraying Humboldt’s complicated past of legal conflicts and its cast of eccentric, down-to-earth characters. In Humboldt, readers are immersed in the fascinating world of this secretive cannabis community, discovering a firsthand view of the region and its local culture as told by those who lived it, providing a compelling account of the concealed true tale of a NorCal community’s dependence on cannabis, and what the future may hold for the inhabitants as the forbidden plant becomes more mainstream. 

Cannabis Is Medicine: How Medical Cannabis and CBD Are Healing Everything from Anxiety to Chronic Pain, by Dr. Bonni Goldstein

While millions worldwide turn to cannabis for relief from chronic and treatment-resistant conditions, many physicians remain uninformed or hesitant to discuss the drug with patients. This can make navigating the terrain of medicinal cannabis overwhelming for those interested in seeking treatment. Dr. Bonni Goldstein is an internationally recognized physician known for her extensive experience in applying and researching cannabis-based treatments. In Cannabis is Medicine, her expertise provides cannabis consumers with a science-backed guide to understanding the ways cannabis interacts with the human body to promote balance and healing. 

Dr. Goldstein explores key cannabis compounds, like CBD (cannabidiol) and CBG (cannabigerol), and explains their therapeutic effects. Drawing from modern scientific research on a range of over 28 chronic medical conditions—including cancer, insomnia, and gastrointestinal disorders—where patients find cannabis provides therapeutic benefits, Cannabis is Medicine provides a comprehensive view of the state of scientific understanding of the cannabis plant, its compounds, and its effects on health known up to the year of publication, 2020. Just keep in mind that cannabis science moves relatively fast, and CBG research in particular has made significant clinical advances since then. 

The book also serves as a resource for navigating the complexities of cannabis safety and legality, providing support for those looking to carefully customize a healthy cannabis regimen. An educational and practical read, Cannabis is Medicine is an excellent resource for learning more about the health benefits of our favorite plant, further empowering patients with reliable, evidence-based knowledge to make informed decisions about their health.

Brave New Weed, by Joe Dolce

Exploring the bold world of cannabis across the globe and throughout history, Joe Dolce’s book, Brave New Weed, traces the diverse cultural origins and inspiring emerging future of cannabis. Traveling the world and obtaining firsthand accounts from researchers, industry figures, and users, Dolce invites readers on a journey through the social, medical, legal, and cultural transformations of this versatile plant. 

While cannabis is marked by a past distorted by political and moral ideologies, Dolce aims to clarify the questions surrounding the plant and its complex placement in human history. Featuring scientists, entrepreneurs, and historians from an array of different regions around the world, Brave New Weed seeks to separate the facts from the fearmongering to ultimately reveal the unusual, shocking, and often surprising history of humanity’s relationship to the cannabis plant. 

Providing a balanced consideration of the controversies associated with cannabis, Dolce calls into question the traditional stigma attached to cannabis. From the war on drugs to groundbreaking progress in research on cannabis’ medicinal benefits, the book examines various political motivations, historical forces, and scientific successes responsible for our ever-shifting attitudes toward the cannabis plant. Looking ahead, Brave New Weed further contributes evidence-based insight into how rising cultural acceptance and promising research outcomes will shape the world of weed in the future. 

Seeing Through the Smoke: A Cannabis Specialist Untangles the Truth about Marijuana, by Dr. Peter Grinspoon

In Seeing Through the Smoke, Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a cannabis specialist and Harvard Medical School instructor, offers readers a comprehensive investigation into the often contradictory and highly polarized perspectives on cannabis. Through an analysis grounded in data-driven medical science and historical contexts, Grinspoon answers a range of questions about cannabis, including whether it has the potential for addiction, whether it impacts memory and adolescent brain development, as well as how it is used in treating conditions like PTSD, ADHD, chronic pain, and cancer.

Grinspoon explores how misinformation—fueled by government propaganda, racial oppression, and the medical community’s historical neglect—has shaped the radically divergent attitudes held toward cannabis today. Conflicting views that portray cannabis as being either a low-risk, therapeutic aid or a dangerous, brain-altering substance have left patients, young people, and policymakers without a reliable foundation for making informed decisions. Hence, through a balanced and measured approach, Seeing Through the Smoke is intended to provide readers with a nuanced perspective on cannabis that transcends political motivations and ideological extremes. 

By critically examining both the alleged harms—such as risks related to driving, pregnancy, and cognitive effects—and the currently accepted medical benefits associated with cannabis, Seeing Through the Smoke assists readers in distinguishing scientific fact from fiction. Whether for patients, healthcare professionals, or policymakers, Grinspoon’s book serves as an essential guide to understanding cannabis through science rather than stigma, advocating overall for individuals to take a more informed and rational approach to cannabis policy and use.

Weed: A Connoisseur’s Guide to Cannabis, by Ellen Holland

As cannabis has become more widely available across America, knowledge of its flavors, effects, and applications has also expanded. Author Ellen Holland’s Weed: A Connoisseur’s Guide to Cannabis celebrates the cannabis plant’s rich diversity and evolving culture, guiding readers through the nuances of selecting, tasting, and experiencing cannabis with the sophistication of a true connoisseur. 

The book provides a deep exploration of the various ways to appreciate cannabis, offering an inside look at how the plant is farmed, produced, and enjoyed in the modern day. Drawing on knowledge from industry experts, Holland reveals the meticulous artistry behind cannabis cultivation and consumption, showing readers how the plant can be incorporated into sophisticated experiences, such as fine dining, craft cocktails, floral arrangements, and wellness practices. 

From blind tasting techniques and the concept of “cannabis terroir” to luxury innovations and sustainable farming practices, Weed: A Connoisseur’s Guide to Cannabis inspires readers to deepen their appreciation for the plant’s versatile and nuanced offerings. 

Final Takeaway

Together, these books offer a wealth of information about cannabis, covering everything from its scientific properties and medicinal applications to its historical significance and modern evolving industry. 

Whether you are interested in exploring cannabis medical science, the plant’s historical and legal impacts, or the art of cultivation and connoisseurship, each book on this list should shed new light on cannabis in ways that challenge misconceptions and promote informed decision-making. 

With such diverse and interesting options, now comes the difficult part: choosing which of these enticing reads you will pick up first!