Whether you like to spend your summers by the beach or prefer to stay in the air conditioning, there’s nothing better than kicking up your feet with a good summer read. To celebrate National Book Lovers’ Day on August 9, NisonCo has put together a list of our favorite psychedelic and cannabis books for you to peruse. Which ones are you adding to your to-be-read list?
Advocacy-Centered Books About Cannabis Policy and History
As a cannabis PR company with roots in activism, we believe that every cannabis connoisseur should be educated about where the industry came from — and where it’s going. These books provide excellent information about where cannabis policy stands today and how much progress we’ve made over the years. Want to learn more about social equity in the cannabis industry? Check out our list of the best advocacy podcasts.
1. The Emperor Wears No Clothes: A History of Cannabis/Hemp/Marijuana by Jack Herer
You can’t list books about cannabis without mentioning this one. It’s a classic piece on the history, uses, and politics of hemp and cannabis by one of the most well-known cannabis advocates of all time, so there’s a good reason just about every cannabis reading list out there includes it. As a bonus, it’s available online for free at Herer’s website.
2. Brave New Weed: Adventures into the Uncharted World of Cannabis by Joe Dolce
This book tracks the cannabis industry through the modern era of incredible legislative change. It provides a unique perspective on an industry that is still evolving.
3. Grass Roots: The Rise and Fall and Rise of Marijuana in America by Emily Dufton
While recent progress toward cannabis legalization is exciting, much work remains. Dufton draws parallels between today’s cannabis activism and the state of the industry in the 1970s.
4. It’s NORML to Smoke Pot: The 40 Year Fight for Marijuana Smokers’ Rights by Keith Stroup
This book, penned by the Founder and Legal Counsel of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), reflects on the organization, the industry, and how much change cannabis policy has seen over the decades.
5. The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
In this book, Alexander discusses the War on Drugs and the disproportionate effects it has had on Black communities across the country. Though it doesn’t focus exclusively on cannabis, it’s a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the industry.
6. Thai Stick: Surfers, Scammers, and the Untold Story of the Marijuana Trade by Peter Maguire
This book — particularly appealing as a summer read — discusses the unlikely role of surfers in one corner of the underground cannabis industry throughout the 1970s.
7. The Cannabis Manifesto by Steve DeAngelo
This guide provides readers with information about cannabis prohibition, activism, and consumption. It’s an excellent field guide for experienced consumers and the canna-curious alike.
Introductory Books About Consuming Cannabis
Have questions about how to consume cannabis? Worry not! These books are great resources that will answer any query about cannabis consumption or culture.
8. The Budtender’s Guide by Oaksterdam University
Written by one of the nation’s premiere cannabis education organizations, this book shares all the information you need to know about sharing, preparing, and consuming various cannabis products. Don’t let the name fool you: it’s an excellent resource for professionals and hobbyists alike.
9. How We Roll: The Art and Culture of Joints, Blunts, and Spliffs by Noah Rubin
Want to dig into the art of rolling joints? You won’t find a better book than this one. Featuring instructional guides and input from professionals and joint-smoking icons, you’ll learn more about rolling cannabis than you ever knew there was to know with this book.
10. How to Smoke Pot (Properly): A Highbrow Guide to Getting High by David Bienenstock
This tongue-in-cheek guide shares everything you need to know about consuming cannabis. Though it’s perfect for people just starting their cannabis journeys, seasoned cannabis consumers will find it amusing — and they just might learn a tip or trick they never knew, too.
11. Higher Ettiquite by Lizzie Post
This book takes a high-class, practical approach to cannabis. In it, you’ll find a lighthearted but no-nonsense guide to the dos and don’ts of consuming cannabis in a variety of social settings.
Informative Educational Books About Cannabis
These books are an excellent primer for general cannabis education. With stunning pictures and no shortage of fun facts, these books also make great gifts for any cannabis lovers in your life. If you’re more of a podcast and audiobook person, we’ve also compiled a list of our favorite educational cannabis podcasts here.
12. A Woman’s Guide to Cannabis by Nikki Furrer
People who identify as women are largely underrepresented in cannabis, though the amount of women who partake is on the rise. This book addresses how cannabis can help to enrich women’s lives, though it contains valuable information for people of all gender identities.
13. Green: A Field Guide to Marijuana by Dan Michaels and Erik Christiansen
This stunning coffee table book explores more than 150 cannabis cultivars, with pertinent information and beautiful pictures on every page.
14. The Cannabis Dictionary by Alex Halperin
This book is exactly what it sounds like! Flip through the pages of this book, and you’ll learn every cannabis word you need to know from the Founder and Editor of WeedWeek.
15. The Cannabibles by Jason King
These classic books feature stunning up-close photographs of the world’s most popular cannabis cultivars. They are fun to flip through and educational, to boot.
16. The Leafly Guide to Cannabis: A Handbook for the Modern Consumer by The Leafly Team
This big book on cannabis provides an overview of everything there is to know about the plant. Compiled by one of the biggest names in cannabis resources, you can expect a ton of great information in these pages.
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Captivating Cannabis Cultivation Books
Whether you’re new to growing cannabis or you’ve been cultivating it for years, books can be a great resource to help you along your path toward the perfect homegrown bud. You might notice that this is the shortest section in this list — it’s because these two are the best cannabis growing books that cover pretty much everything!
17. The Cannabis Encyclopedia by Jorge Cervantes
This classic book takes an in-depth look at medical marijuana cultivation and consumption. If you want more in this vein, everything else Cervantes has written is excellent, too.
18. Cannabis Grower’s Handbook: The Complete Guide to Marijuana and Hemp Cultivation by Ed Rosenthal, Dr. Robert Flannery, and Angela Bacca
Another longtime classic, this cannabis grow book provides all the information you need to know about growing cannabis. It is an indispensable resource for first-time cultivators and offers in-depth information for advanced growers, too.
Mouthwatering Cannabis Cooking Books
While you may not read them cover to cover, these cannabis cooking books are a great addition to any kitchen. Learn how to make showstopping cannabis concoctions with these approachable recipe books.
19. Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails & Tonics: The Art of Spirited Drinks & Buzz-Worthy Libations by Warren Bobrow
This fun recipe book features instructions for making various cannabis-infused drinks that will impress at your next cocktail party.
20. Aunt Sandy’s Medical Marijuana Cookbook: Comfort Food For Mind and Body by Sandy Moriarty
Experimenting in the kitchen can be fun, but sometimes you crave the classics. This homey cookbook features recipes for elevated essentials that will leave you satisfied.
21. Bong Appétit: Mastering the Art of Cooking with Weed by the Editors of Munchies
If you want a guide to cooking with cannabis, this is it. This book includes several delicious recipes and covers the basics of elevated cooking so that you can create your own dishes.
22. The Official High Times Cannabis Cookbook: More Than 50 Irresistible Recipes That Will Get You High by the editors of High Times
A mainstay in cannabis journalism, High Times has been in publication for half a century. This cookbook compiles recipes from the magazine’s rich history in one convenient place.
Top Books About Psychedelics
For more in-depth information about mind-altering substances, check out a book or two about psychedelics. Psychedelic podcasts are also great ways to learn about the power and potential of these compounds.
23. PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story and TiHKAL: The Continuation by Ann and Alexander Shulgin
This book details the Shulgin’s experiences with making and consuming different psychedelics. It’s written in an approachable style and provides both scientific background and profound insights on psychedelia.
24. I Feel Love: MDMA and the Quest for Connection in a Fractured World by Rachel Nuwer
Humans are a social species, but connection has fallen by the wayside in many modern cultures. This book explores how MDMA, also known as Ecstacy, can help individuals, groups, and societies feel more connected.
25. Good Chemistry: The Science of Connection, from Soul to Psychedelics by Julie Holland, MD
Another book about the importance of connections, this one focuses primarily on how connections fuel us. In it, Holland also explores the impact of psychedelics on these connections.
26. The Rose Of Paracelsus: On Secrets & Sacraments by William Leonard Pickard
Written by a psychedelic researcher while he was in prison, this book is a fascinating exploration of psychedelics and human consciousness.
27. How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence by Michael Pollan
This book by well-known and beloved nonfiction author Michael Pollan helped expose a wider audience to the idea of psychedelic medicine.
28. LSD My Problem Child: Reflections on Sacred Drugs, Mysticism and Science by Dr. Albert Hofmann
Written by the scientist who first synthesized LSD, this book presents a firsthand account of the political and academic aftermath of Hofmann’s discovery.
Gripping Cannabis Novels
Do you prefer fiction or want a fun beach read? We’ve got you covered. These cannabis-inspired novels are thought-provoking and engaging to read.
29. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream by Hunter S. Thompson
This semi-autobiographical novel details an American journalist’s wild road trip. Many regard Thompson himself as one of the most influential American journalists, but his chaotic writing style isn’t for the faint of heart.
30. Inherent Vice: A Novel by Thomas Pynchon
Equal parts mystery and dark comedy, this novel is set in California in the 1970s and has since been adapted into a movie. It follows the exploits of a perpetually stoned detective, so it’s a fun read for anyone who enjoys cannabis and mystery novels.
31. Budding Prospects: A Pastoral by T. C. Boyle
This goofy comedy novel follows the misadventures of a group of friends who try to start an unlicensed cannabis farm as a get-rich-quick scheme. Needless to say, they didn’t reference the invaluable books on cannabis cultivation we mentioned earlier in this list!
Cannabis and Psychedelics Memoirs
Sometimes, the best way to learn about a topic is to defer to someone with firsthand experience. These personal memoirs and biographies provide unique perspectives on cannabis, psychedelics, and culture.
32. Stoned Beyond Belief by Action Bronson
Rapper, chef, and media personality Action Bronson shares funny stories, musings, and recipes in this book about how cannabis improved his life.
33. The Hasheesh Eater by Fitz Hugh Ludlow
This book has the earliest publication date on this list: 1857! In it, the author details his experiences with incredibly potent medicinal cannabis extracts. Since it’s in the public domain, it’s also available online for free.
34. The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe
A perpetual classic of the countercultural movement, this book describes the experience of traveling with Ken Kesey and his band of Merry Pranksters.
35. The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley
This book influenced a generation of psychedelic writers and advocates (and gave the band “The Doors” their name). In it, author Huxley describes his own psychedelic experience with mescaline and muses on human consciousness.
Take Your Summer Reading Higher With These Great Cannabis Books
There’s no time like the present to visit your local library or used bookstore and pick up a great cannabis-themed read or two for the summer. If you’re on the hunt for the most up-to-date cannabis information after reading these books, you can also check out our list of the most-bookmarkable cannabis blogs and top cannabis journalists to follow online.
Happy reading from the team at NisonCo!
