4.53

5

Dec 26, 2018

The successful analysis and description of a herb, damned out of outrageous injustice.

Please note that I have put the original German text to end of this review. Just if you might be interested.

Why are some drugs legally and socially fully accepted, while others are punishable by death in some countries?
Five reasons and arguments in advance: Some drugs are evil, others are not. A simple definition of light and dark, without elaborating on the details. Typical drawer thinking.
Drugs make one The successful analysis and description of a herb, damned out of outrageous injustice.

Please note that I have put the original German text to end of this review. Just if you might be interested.

Why are some drugs legally and socially fully accepted, while others are punishable by death in some countries?
Five reasons and arguments in advance: Some drugs are evil, others are not. A simple definition of light and dark, without elaborating on the details. Typical drawer thinking.
Drugs make one critical of conditions and open to new ways of thinking. That's not wanted. For pharmaceutical, chemical, cotton, alcohol, tobacco, etc. lobbies releases would be a disaster. Less because of the THC-containing varieties, but rather because of the industrially usable
Racism: white men, black women. The "superior" would be alcoholic peoples.
Conditioning: People have been telling the same crap to people for over 50 years, and then they believe it.

In contrast to the state opposition, the phonetic word of the book makes an objective, well-founded and comprehensible portrayal of the history of culture and prohibition. In the form of hops we like the family of hemp plants as beer, but otherwise, it is demonized. As a millennia-old cultural and commercial commodity, the raw material with many applications and medicinal all-rounder, cannabis was until the mid-20th century, in a place of honor on the list of incredibly diverse plants. Until the ignorant and profit-driven worldwide defamation and banishment. Through the same inhuman dogmatists to whom we owe the face of the planet today, full of hunger, injustice, war, and violence.

For pharmaceutical companies, the diverse, cost-effective home-made ingredients that could be easily produced and were extremely useful were severe competition. Less chemically produced, addictive pills to sell. The wood industry was in no way thrilled with a raw material for papermaking that grew much faster than trees. Least of all, the petrochemicals industry was able to make friends with the many possible applications. Other examples include insulation, bodies for cars and clothing. Neither organized crime nor the prison industry has any interest in legalization. They fear of unemployed dealers for and of missing harmless stoners who are detained by millions.
In the agricultural sector, the plant would allow you to grow even on soils that are unsuitable for other crops due to their needlessness. For example in the course of agriculture with changing cultivation of different plants. Or simple, to prevent erosion and soil loss. It would also take almost no petrochemicals because herbaceous hemp plant is avoided by most pests and is virtually resistant to fungal attack.

So what could be more logical than to launch a racist campaign, including pot smoking African-Americans as murderous rapists of white women? Including all opposition in the form of critical thinkers like hippies, progressives, and leftists. In addition to being able to portray alcohol as the grandiose drug of superior white people. And the isolation of the cannabis plant in the corner of the dangerous killer drug, consumed only by the antisocial, Latino, colored and riff-raff, finally culminated in its worldwide banishment.

Since then billions of taxpayer money has been squandered for executive, detention of perpetrators, preventive measures and drug wars. Instead of taking the same billions as a gain for the general public utilizing a possible cannabis tax on legalization. Millions of innocent people who have been convicted of a ridiculous ban and restricted in their careers or even jailed are lining the path of spiritual poverty. On this, especially essential decision makers seem to like to change. The studies, medical reports, long-term observations and expert statements from the beginning of the unfortunate crusade to the elimination of the herb to this day are full of the artifice of propagandistic, deliberate misinterpretations and lies. If it were not so sad, one could laugh heartily because of the strongholds of all the major established parties.

To illustrate the miserliness, falsely so-called political and economic elites, offer the round of legal and thus without hesitation for consumption released products. Alcohol, nicotine, medications with the always exciting option of several sides and cross effects, plastic in all facets and applications including toxicity, carcinogenicity, and mutagenicity for humans and the environment. In contrast, as so often, a herbal, renewable, infinitely available, cheap and affordable for everyone alternative to many artificial and consuming and resource-intensive materials processed. Thankfully, degenerate advocacy decides to deprive the population of either option. Given the environmental issues, it is perverse not to use one of the best renewable resources in decades. Much is being said about environmental protection, renewable energies, and renewable raw materials. That one of the most diverse plants is not used is grotesque. At the same time, the finite fossil resources are wasted on the same products that could be made from hemp.

Critical consumption will always exist because of mentally unstable or traumatized contemporaries, but to define beer, wine, and schnapps as intangible cultural heritage and to glorify and downplay one of the worst human demons as it travels across biological products is so borderline, that it mocks any description.
Unfortunately, the risks of cannabis use are not touched on. In adults, moderate consumption may be harmless. "Hard" consumption, on the other hand, harms them as well. Truly endangered are adolescents and young adults. These can cause mental damage even with moderate use, which is due to the pure strength of the drug. And specific risk groups with mental health problems, as with alcohol, should avoid consumption. If someone already tends to hear voices, you should not increase the volume. Indeed, the damages are in no way comparable to alcohol. Mainly because they are only psychic. But merely stealing them out harms the objectivity of the presentation and the otherwise good, albeit repetitive, work.

A funny picture to counteract the sad, current situation would be based on the scenario of a reintroduced prohibition with the simultaneous legalization of marijuana. Secretly squalid figures meet in dark side streets. While they are nervously looking around, of a bottle of booze rushes around in circles between them, while a few streets down at the happy folk festival, visitors are spoiled for choice. Among the dozens of different biscuits, smoke blends, water pipes, and vaporizers, including hundreds of most beautiful, unimpeded varieties of marijuana with an immense range of effects.

Die gelungene Analyse und Beschreibung eines aus himmelschreiendem Unrecht verdammten Krauts

Warum sind die einen Drogen legal und sozial voll akzeptiert, die anderen hingegen in manchen Ländern mit der Todesstrafe belegt?
5 Gründe und Argumentationen vorab:
Manche Drogen sind böse, andere nicht. Schlichte Definition von Hell und Dunkel, ohne näher auf die Details umzugehen. Typisches Schubladendenken.
Drogen machen einen kritisch gegenüber den bestehenden Verhältnissen und offen für neue Denkmuster. Das ist nicht gewünscht.
Lobbyismus. Für Pharma-, Chemie-, Baumwoll-, Alkohol-, Tabak- etc Lobby wären Freigaben eine Katastrophe. Weniger wegen den THC hältigen Sorten, als vielmehr wegen der industriell nutzbaren.
Rassismus: weiße Männer, schwarze Frauen. Die "Überlegenen" wären alkoholische Völker.
Konditionierung: Man erzählt den Leuten seit 50 Jahren über 3 Generationen den gleichen Mist und dann glauben sie es einfach.
Im Gegensatz zur staatlichen Opposition bemüht sich der Lautwort des Buches um eine sachliche, fundierte und nachvollziehbare Schilderung der Kultur- und Verbotsgeschichte. In Form von Hopfen wir die Familie der Hanfgewächse als Bier gern gesehenen, ansonsten aber dämonisiert.
Als ein Jahrtausende altes Kultur- und Handelsgut, Rohstoff mit vielerlei Anwendungsmöglichkeiten und medizinischen Tausendsassa gebührte Cannabis bis über die Mitte des 20. Jahrhunderts ein Ehrenplatz auf der Liste der überaus vielfältigen Pflanzen. Bis zur ignoranten und profitgetriebenen weltweiten Diffamierung und Verbannung. Durch dieselben menschenverachtenden Dogmatiker, denen wir das heutige Antlitz des Planeten, voll Hunger, Ungerechtigkeit, Krieg und Gewalt verdanken.
Für Pharmakonzerne stellten die vielfältigen, kostengünstig selbst in Eigenregie daheim, herstellbaren und überaus wirksamen Inhaltsstoffe eine ernste Konkurrenz dar. Auch die Holzindustrie war von einem viel schneller als Bäume nachwachsenden Rohstoff für die Papierherstellung in keiner Weise begeistert. Und am allerwenigsten konnte sich die Petrochemiebranche mit den vielfältigen Anwendungsmöglichkeiten anfreunden. Die Pharmabranche hätte keine krank und süchtig machenden Pillen mehr teuer verkaufen können. Weitere Beispiele sind Dämmungen, Karosserien und Kleidung.
Weder die organisierte Kriminalität noch die Gefängnisindustrie haben ein Interesse an einer Legalisierung. Sie fürchten arbeitslose Dealer beziehungweise fehlende, harmlose Kiffer, die zu Millionen inhaftiert werden.
In der Agrarbranche ließe dich die Pflanze aufgrund ihrer Bedürfnislosigkeit selbst auf Böden anbauen, die für andere Kulturpflanzen ungeeignet sind. Etwa im Zuge einer Landwirtschaft mit wechselndem Anbau verschiedener Pflanzen. Oder schlicht, um der Erosion und dem Bodenverlust vorzubeugen. Man bräuchte weiters fast keine Petrochemikalien, weil Hanf als krautige Pflanze von den meisten Schädlingen gemieden wird und gegen Pilzbefall fast resistent ist.
Was lag also näher, als eine rassistische, eingerauchte Afroamerikaner als mordende Vergewaltiger weißer Frauen darstellende, Kampagne ins Leben zu rufen? Um nebenher Alkohol als die grandiose Droge überlegener Weißer darstellen zu können. Und die Isolierung der Cannabispflanze im Eck der gefährlichen, nur von Asozialen, Latinos, Farbigen und Gesindel konsumierten Mörderdroge gipfelte schließlich in ihrer weltweiten Verbannung.
Seitdem wurden Milliarden an Steuergeldern für Exekutive, Inhaftierung von Tätern, Präventionsmaßnahmen und Drogenkriege verschleudert. Anstatt als Alternative selbige Milliarden mittels einer bei Legalisierung möglichen Cannabissteuer als Gewinn für die Allgemeinheit einzunehmen. Millionen Existenzen Unschuldiger, die aufgrund eines lächerlichen Verbots vorbestraft und in ihrem beruflichen Werdegang eingeschränkt oder gar inhaftiert werden, säumen den Weg der geistigen Armut. Auf diesem wandeln speziell wichtige Entscheidungsträger scheinbar besonders gerne.
Die Studien, medizinischen Gutachten, Langzeitbeobachtungen und Expertenaussagen von Beginn des unseligen Kreuzzugs zur Ausmerzung des Krauts bis heute strotzen vor Kunstkniffen propagandistischer, absichtlicher Falschinterpretationen und Lügen. Wäre es nicht so traurig, könnte man aufgrund bis zum heutigen Tag felsenfest vertretener Standpunkte aller großen etablierten Parteien herzhaft lachen.
Zur Veranschaulichung der Ignoranz der, fälschlicherweise so genannter politischen und wirtschaftliche Eliten, bieten die legalen und damit ohne Zögern für den Konsum freigegebenen Produkte an. Alkohol, Nikotin, Medikamente mit der immer aufregenden Möglichkeit mehrerer Nebenwirkungen und Kreuzeffekte, Kunststoff in allen Facetten und Anwendungen einschließlich Toxizität, Karzinogenität und Mutagenität für Mensch und Umwelt. Im Gegensatz dazu wird, wie so oft, eine pflanzliche, nachwachsende, unendlich verfügbare, billige und für jedermann erschwingliche Alternative zu vielen künstlichen und ressourcenintensiven Materialien nicht erschlossen. Es wird viel über Umweltschutz, erneuerbare Energien und nachwachsende Rohstoffe gesprochen. Dass eine der vielfältigsten Pflanzen nicht verwendet wird, ist grotesk. Gleichzeitig werden die endlichen fossilen Ressourcen für die gleichen Produkte verschwendet, die aus Hanf hergestellt werden könnten.
Leider werden die Risiken von Cannabiskonsum nicht angeschnitten. Bei Erwachsenen mag ein moderater Konsum harmlos sein. "Hartes" Konsumieren hingegen schadet auch ihnen. Wirklich gefährdet sind Jugendliche und junge Erwachsene. Diese können selbst bei moderatem Konsum psychische Schäden davontragen, was der schlichten Stärke der Droge geschuldet ist. Und gewisse Risikogruppen mit psychischen Problemen sollten, wie bei Alkohol, den Konsum generell meiden. Wenn jemand schon dazu tendiert, Stimmen zu hören, sollte man nicht die Lautstärke erhöhen. Sicher sind die Schäden in keiner Weise mit Alkohol zu vergleichen. Vor allem, weil sie nur psychisch sind. Aber sie schlichtweg auszuklammern, schadet der Objektivität der Darstellung und dem ansonsten guten, wenn auch repetitiven, Werk.
Ein lustiges Bild zur Konterkarierung der traurigen, momentanen Situation böte sich anhand des Szenarios einer wieder eingeführten Prohibition bei gleichzeitiger Legalisierung von Marihuana. Heimlich treffen sich verwahrlost aussehende Gestalten in dunklen Seitenstraßen. Um nervös um sich blickend hastig Züge aus einer Flasche Fusel zu nehmen, während ein paar Straßen weiter beim fröhlichen Volksfest die Besucher die Qual der Wahl haben. Zwischen den Dutzenden verschiedenen Keksen, Rauchmischungen, Wasserpfeifen und Vaporizern samt Hunderten feinster, in ihrer Wirkung immens vielfältiger, ungestreckter Marihuanasorten.
...more

5

Nov 14, 2011

I hope all the people who've marked this book as a Want To Read do so and then leave it out on the coffee table. I had never heard of hemp until I read this book. Need I note it was handed to me by a pot smoking pal? I've been called a conspiracy theorist so many times that I could either develop a complex or a belief that a lot of folks are going through life blindfolded. I lean toward the latter.

The "save the world" notion gives cause to recall George Carlin's (RIP) great bit on ecologists I hope all the people who've marked this book as a Want To Read do so and then leave it out on the coffee table. I had never heard of hemp until I read this book. Need I note it was handed to me by a pot smoking pal? I've been called a conspiracy theorist so many times that I could either develop a complex or a belief that a lot of folks are going through life blindfolded. I lean toward the latter.

The "save the world" notion gives cause to recall George Carlin's (RIP) great bit on ecologists from the '80s or early '90s, paraphrased as best possible, "What is it about ego that has any human being thinking they can save the world? This rock has been hurtling around the sun for billions of years and when she's tired of us she'll shake us off like fleas off a wet dog! hmf...save the world"

So, it's not about saving the world so much as saving the thin environment that sustains life on earth. It makes a lot more sense to have thousands or millions of acres of green plants growing and oxygenating the planet than continuing to suck black sludge out of the earth to spew into the atmosphere. Just who do we think continues to lobby against legislation for legalization of cannabis? The petroleum and pharmaceutical industries have very large voices and deep pockets. ...more

2

Aug 24, 2007

why is it illegal? if anything, alcohol and marijuana should switch places... it makes no sense

5

Oct 07, 2007

It was a cold April night I shared a ride into Seattle with my oldest brother, and he gave me a copy of this book. Up until then, I had very much been a product of the D.A.R.E generation. This book educated me, changed my life, and gave me the ammunition to change the minds of others. A phenominal resource book, and a scary look into the power of our government.

3

Aug 04, 2012

First of all, if any of my current or future employers are reading this, I may or may not have smoked weed. Even if I did [and good-luck proving that], in the immortal words of one president, I didn't inhale.
Anyway, even though the book is extremely informative - the closest thing to a cannabis/hemp textbook you'll ever find - I have to note that I found it rather "dry". I do blame myself for that, because I grew accustomed to the fact that many stoners are entertaining and humorous people, so I First of all, if any of my current or future employers are reading this, I may or may not have smoked weed. Even if I did [and good-luck proving that], in the immortal words of one president, I didn't inhale.
Anyway, even though the book is extremely informative - the closest thing to a cannabis/hemp textbook you'll ever find - I have to note that I found it rather "dry". I do blame myself for that, because I grew accustomed to the fact that many stoners are entertaining and humorous people, so I though this would be a fun little book to relax to in the evening. Oh, hell no!.. From the very first pages to the bitter end you are hit with data, numbers, dates, sources, studies, names, events, history - just an infinite supply of information that would make you eat the stereotype of "lazy, unfounded weed-advocates with no evidence to support their claims" raw with no ranch dressing. I was never big on conspiracies, but in my personal opinion you have to be pretty ignorant to disregard the fact that almost a criminal conspiracy against cannabis/hemp exists in the United States and [since the U.S. is playing "puppeteer" with the rest of the countries] the World. Weed is unwelcome by many powers that be: the monstrous pharmaceutical industry does not need opposition, the alcohol & tobacco industries do not take kindly to competition, the criminal elements don't need it legalized due to profits and the private prisons sector needs millions of stoners to fill their cells. Each one of these industries and entities have the money and lobbying power, as well as control over mass-media (TV, radio and newspapers), to support their agenda and keep the "Evil Marijuana" myth alive and well. That is a legitimately scary issue, BUT...
The book lacked objectivity. Not even "lacked": it was non-existent. I truly and fully support decriminalization and legalization of cannabis, but this book made it sound as if hemp is the answer to ALL of humanity's problems. And every time I hear a supporter of something trying to tell me that object "A" is the savior of mankind - I call bullshit. It's like a vegetarian/vegan trying to convince you that his way of life should be the way everyone lives. Guess what? You're wrong! What works for you may not work for your buddies living 1,000 miles away from you in Nicaragua. Or vice versa. Same with cannabis - I support the claim that it is an extremely useful plant for just about every aspect of human life (material, medicine, food, recreation an etc.), but there is evidence of cannabis having caused psychological damage to young teenagers and certain strains of cannabis having a negative effect on aspects of memory. Of course, this is nothing compared to the damage that alcohol and tobacco causes LEGALLY on a daily basis. Still, you can't claim that cannabis is completely harmless for people of all ages.
There is no such thing as panacea. ...more

5

May 21, 2009

This is wonderful read... Blunt, honest, and inspiring...

What I learned from this book... In short, Hemp can save the world... :)

Jack did a wonderful job compiling historical record to back his statements. I think this book should be on everyone's coffee table. It is just that important.

3

Oct 31, 2007

I saw Jello Biafra speak a while back and he mentioned this book. So I read it and I genuinely enjoyed it when I could focus on the lines through the clouds of pot smoke. I faintly remember mumbling about it to friends over a bag of Doritos.

5

Jul 27, 2008

A nonconformist (though idealistic) view on marijuana filled with interesting facts and fresh perspective. This book came to redefine my view on the drug war.

5

Apr 14, 2008

Always an excellent edition to the fight to legalize or at least decriminalize marijuana. This book battles propaganda with the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. People who don't know any better call this propaganda but they don't know any better. I don't even smoke marijuana but it only makes sense that it be legal. Constantly revised, updated and expanded, more people should read this and question their leaders and their motives.

5

Oct 26, 2012

The definitive book on cannabis, why cannabis is illegal and what cannabis has been used for throughout the centuries on Earth. A very, very excellent book for anyone involved with cannabis legalization movements, medical marijuana movements, or anyone who just wishes to increase their knowledge about one of the most widely used recreational and medicinal drugs on the planet.

5

Feb 10, 2018

Great look at how the War on Drugs, and the war on hemp, was created, and the fallacies found in arguments against the medicinal and therapeutic benefits of cannabis.

4

Apr 21, 2019

I read this several years ago, and during a conversation just remembered reading it, but not recording it, so onto my list it goes.

What I recall, is a book published at the cusp of a slow, cultural re-evaluation of hemp and marijuana. While, the casual observer might think that this text is meant to promote some stoner mentality, it avoids that stereotype and accomplishes much more by documenting the myriad of ignored uses by which hemp could make our world more sustainable and healthier. Herer I read this several years ago, and during a conversation just remembered reading it, but not recording it, so onto my list it goes.

What I recall, is a book published at the cusp of a slow, cultural re-evaluation of hemp and marijuana. While, the casual observer might think that this text is meant to promote some stoner mentality, it avoids that stereotype and accomplishes much more by documenting the myriad of ignored uses by which hemp could make our world more sustainable and healthier. Herer documents much: the historical use of hemp; how has been and may be used to make rope, paper, plastics, cloth fibers, etc.; the petrochemical industry's efforts to eliminate hemp as a competing resource; the story behind the marijuana tax act; and much more. Hmmm. I recall a lot. It must have been a good read. ...more

1

Feb 11, 2009

This guy thinks marijuana is illegal only because of some sort of government/big-industry conspiracy to suppress hemp for the sake of the cotton and petrochemical industries.

I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, but the book is written in a tabloid format with a ridiculous source citing format. Additionally, it's ridiculously dated- originally written in the early eighties and only spottily updated since then.

He also relies heavily on his assumptions that, were it legal to cultivate This guy thinks marijuana is illegal only because of some sort of government/big-industry conspiracy to suppress hemp for the sake of the cotton and petrochemical industries.

I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, but the book is written in a tabloid format with a ridiculous source citing format. Additionally, it's ridiculously dated- originally written in the early eighties and only spottily updated since then.

He also relies heavily on his assumptions that, were it legal to cultivate in the US, hemp would be enormously popular and save the world, conveniently forgetting to mention that it is legal to grow hemp in Canada and Europe, and it has yet to save even those countries.

And, of course, that's not even to mention that marijuana and hemp are different plants. Potheads, you are going to have to find a better champion than this one. ...more

3

Mar 22, 2019

I came to know the legal issues & complexities of using medical marijuana after watching this John Oliver's episode (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcR_W...). After my visit to Hemp museum in Amsterdam, my interest in Hemp piqued. That is how I arrived at this book.

This book is dull and monotonous at its best but highly educational. The author repeatedly claims that cannabis is a billion dollar crop and can solve all world problems. This book is all about that.

I am shocked to learn that it I came to know the legal issues & complexities of using medical marijuana after watching this John Oliver's episode (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcR_W...). After my visit to Hemp museum in Amsterdam, my interest in Hemp piqued. That is how I arrived at this book.

This book is dull and monotonous at its best but highly educational. The author repeatedly claims that cannabis is a billion dollar crop and can solve all world problems. This book is all about that.

I am shocked to learn that it can reverse greenhouse effect. To understand cannabis more you need to understand that there are two species - cannabis sativa (hemp) and cannabis indica (marijuana). Many wars were fought for this crop. There are conspiracy theories surrounding both. For instance: sativa was killed by petrochemical, textile & oil and indica by medical industries. It is shocking to learn that racist campaigns were used to bring down marijuana and even jazz. You also learn about gutter science. Yes. Please read about the experiment done on monkeys and you will know.

Medical Marijuana is claimed to be useful for the treatment of asthma, cancer, tumours and many other diseases. When it comes to recreational marijuana you need to understand THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). This is the compound which gets you high.

When you read about THC outside of this book, you understand that percentage of THC has increased from less than half a percent to over 12% in 2015. And when consumed daily can cause psyshotic disorders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmqtP...
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/03/19/he...

Yup. Chose wisely. Last but not least, I like the title of the book. It is apt. ...more

5

Nov 08, 2010

The Emperor Wears No Clothes: The Authoritative Historical Record of Cannabis and the Conspiracy Against Marijuana by Jack Herer

As a somewhat serious athlete, spending my formative years in a small town on the banks of the Hudson River, a long commute from the Big Apple, I never saw any of this stuff as a kid. For the most part I avoided regular over the counter drug store medicines as well and admonished my younger brother for his indulgence. If I heard about cannabis or marijuana, I dismissed The Emperor Wears No Clothes: The Authoritative Historical Record of Cannabis and the Conspiracy Against Marijuana by Jack Herer

As a somewhat serious athlete, spending my formative years in a small town on the banks of the Hudson River, a long commute from the Big Apple, I never saw any of this stuff as a kid. For the most part I avoided regular over the counter drug store medicines as well and admonished my younger brother for his indulgence. If I heard about cannabis or marijuana, I dismissed it as unimportant in my life. I was too busy playing three seasonal high school sports, staying in condition, competing and while not exactly an honor camper, although I was offered these kinds of accolades, I preferred to stay just a bit off the rip tide of so called model behavior. Maybe it was the Andy Devine show character, Froggy, which kept me a little wary of expectations.

It wasn't until the army, 1968, and as a guest of a striking tall redheaded woman from the composer Richard Wagner's birthplace, Bayreuth, Germany, whom I met at a local dance near the Czech border with East & West Germany, did I encounter my first hashish. I had been assigned to an infantry unit in the state of Hessen, not far from Frankfurt in the villages of Friedberg and Bad Nauheim, the latter a resort center and Friedberg marked by an old “schlos” (castle) on a promontory at one end of town, then serving as a Gymnasium, the equivalent to an American High School and Junior College. Ten years earlier, in ’58, Bad Nauheim had been the storied billet of Elvis and the sixteen-year-old Lisa, later to be Mrs. Presley. My mother, Rose, instructed me before leaving the states in November ’67, 'if I married in my new home across the sea, it would be over her dead body'.

I don’t remember the month of 1968 when we had left Friedberg for training exercises in Grafenwöhr, a rural area southeast of Bayreuth and northeast of Munich close to the Czech border, which had been it was said a training ground for Rommel, The Desert Fox, as well. Unlike most of the other German countryside I had encountered, Grafenwöhr was quite sandy, so well suited to the task of training a mechanized army.

It was hard enough to meet normal German women in any case, so any contact was usually appreciated. There was a kind of crust to break through along with the cultural and language hurdles. In Hessen I met a partly Jewish girl in a dance club, a university student specializing in languages. She was spirited, learned and funny. She reminded me of a 16th century painting of Martin Luther with her wide cheekbones, pageboy hair and pretty, twinkling brown eyes. She was dating an American Captain in another Caserne and there was talk of marriage. Her father, due to the Jewish heritage, had not been allowed into the Nazi Party (see rip tide of expectations above), but was conscripted by the military and sent to the Bulge. He surrendered at first chance and spent two memorable years in Arkansas, making lifelong friends. I don’t remember if it was he or an uncle of hers that had perished in a solo soaring flight, a heart attack victim. Mental note: beware of too much excitement masquerading as relaxation.

So what has this got to do with Jack Herer and his well-researched and referenced study of the Cannabis Sativa and Indica plants – The Emperor Wears No Clothes, you may wonder? Oh, and I should add that despite an offer of $100,00 for anyone able to debunk any of the claims made in the book, after twenty-five years of publication, there are no takers. In 2006, the DEA’s budget was almost 2.5 billion dollars and growing, and this just the enforcement end of market control that nets the benefactors, you can assume a ratio consistent with a captain of Industry next to a security guard. There is no short-term profit in the truth, as we know it today. I suppose that is my point . . . essentially, market interests and their government, media and educational / research minions were complicit in suppressing and distorting information regarding cannabis and then, demonizing, punishing and essentially destroying people and institutions, while attempting to eradicate and render the plant extinct as a living entity . . . all in the name of profit. You would think, the entire petroleum / automobile / government nexus (except for the ostensible wisdom of Henry Ford), would have adhered to the age old maxim of diversification . . . given not only the shear volume of utility, like Hemp before it, but also for the problems associated with sourcing the crude product . . . not to mention myriad health issues. One can only wonder what was addling their brains?

Perhaps a kind of allegorical story for the plant as well as those associated with it in the shadow world of America, might be ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ by Alexander Dumas. Indeed it is stated in Mr. Herer’s book that much of the Napoleonic wars were fought over Hemp – see Chapter 11 – THE (HEMP) WAR OF 1812, NAPOLEON & RUSSIA.

Cannabis has a long history and this book points the way to discovering some of the lore, uses and knowledge of the plant from antiquity to the present. In that endeavor alone, regardless of your personal choices, the book and its author, Jack Herer, can be regarded in the same light as one might think of someone like Galileo, espousing unknown or unpopular phenomena at great personal risk and cost.

The title, "The Emperor Wears No Clothes" or "The Emperor Has No Clothes" is often used in political and social contexts for any obvious truth denied by the majority despite the evidence of their eyes, especially when proclaimed by the government. It is derived from ‘The Emperor's New Clothes’ a Danish fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen and first published in 1837, and this tale has its roots in older folk tales.

Here’s the table of contents:

Chapter 1 – OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF CANNABIS HEMP

Chapter 2 – BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE USES OF HEMP

Chapter 3 – NEW BILLION-DOLLAR CROP

Chapter 4 – THE LAST DAYS OF LEGAL CANNABIS

Chapter 5 – MARIJUANA PROHIBITION

Chapter 6 – MEDICAL LITERATURE ON CANNABIS MEDICINE

Chapter 7 – THERAPEUTIC USE OF CANNABIS

Chapter 8 – HEMPSEED AS THE BASIC WORLD FOOD

Chapter 9 – ECONOMICS ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Chapter 10 – MYTH, MAGIC & MEDICINE

Chapter 11 – THE (HEMP) WAR OF 1812, NAPOLEON & RUSSIA

Chapter 12 – CANNABIS DRUG USE IN 19TH CENTURY AMERICA

Chapter 13 – PREJUDICE: MARIJUANA AND JIM CROW LAWS

Chapter 14 – MORE THAN SIXTY YEARS OF SUPPRESSION

Chapter 15 – THE OFFICIAL STORY: DEBUNKING “GUTTER SCIENCE”

Chapter 16 – THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES ...more

5

Sep 16, 2019

If you were to read only one book this year, then let it be this.

5

Feb 25, 2020

Eye opening reading. An awesome book to learn and make criteria.

4

Oct 18, 2016

Great eye-opening book with interesting historical facts that not everyone seems to be aware of. Some might consider this essential reading. This book was on the Rage Against the Machine recommended reading list, and I'd recommend it to anyone who might be willing to accept that there's more to society than what meets the eye, especially with regards to how business and capitalist greed destroys humanity and the planet the human race calls home.

2

Nov 24, 2018

Aww, rereading thirty years after first owning this gem four stars for activism, three stars for nostalgia, two stars for scientific accuracy. I sure hope Herer is alive to enjoy our new hemp-powered world, just as he'd predicted. Aww, rereading thirty years after first owning this gem — four stars for activism, three stars for nostalgia, two stars for scientific accuracy. I sure hope Herer is alive to enjoy our new hemp-powered world, just as he'd predicted. ...more

5

Feb 17, 2019

Dismantles the War on Drugs and showcases the near endless beneficial uses of the most demonized and misunderstood plant on the planet.

5

Apr 23, 2013

This is the "must read" books for all people before they enter a serious discussion on the war on drugs. It will show, with lots of historical references, all the unknown facts behind the prohibition of the medicinal plant Cannabis. Why was it banned? What does the Oil industry, the Pharmaceutics industry, racism, jazz and rock 'n roll has to do with it?

Taking you from religious use by the Three magi kings who witnessed the birth of Christ, the spiritual journey made by Buddha, the ropes and This is the "must read" books for all people before they enter a serious discussion on the war on drugs. It will show, with lots of historical references, all the unknown facts behind the prohibition of the medicinal plant Cannabis. Why was it banned? What does the Oil industry, the Pharmaceutics industry, racism, jazz and rock 'n roll has to do with it?

Taking you from religious use by the Three magi kings who witnessed the birth of Christ, the spiritual journey made by Buddha, the ropes and sails used by the ships who discovered America, the Napoleon invasion, the hemp made paper on which the Declaration of the Independence of the USA was written, the complete set of essential amminoacids needed to human nutrition its seeds provides (unlike soy), the "hemp for victory" movement during the second world war on which the USA backed off their decision to bane the plant so they could produce better ropes and clothing to the soldiers, the reefer madness paranoid hysteria which was responsible for most of the prejudice you might hold against such herb, this book will literally blow your mind, or you will remain blasé if you already knew some of the facts. Either way, it will surely be an excellent source of facts, some of them quite ugly. ...more

3

Dec 09, 2008

Note: This refers to the 1991 edition of Jack Herers The Emperor Wears No Clothes.

Maybe its because I read the 1991 publication of this, but I was a bit let-down. I have been hearing and reading about this book for the past few years and my reaction just didnt compare to my expectations. This is a well-known book about the history of cannabis and hemp.

It is broken into two alternating sections: Hemp and The Marijuana Conspiracy. The chapters on hemp discuss its history and uses. The marijuana Note: This refers to the 1991 edition of Jack Herer’s The Emperor Wears No Clothes.

Maybe it’s because I read the 1991 publication of this, but I was a bit let-down. I have been hearing and reading about this book for the past few years and my reaction just didn’t compare to my expectations. This is a well-known book about the history of cannabis and hemp.

It is broken into two alternating sections: “Hemp” and “The Marijuana Conspiracy.” The chapters on hemp discuss its history and uses. The marijuana chapters focus on prohibition and the effect it’s had on the world. The information seems mostly credible, but its presentation could use some work. Herer’s points become repetitive; a single phrase may show up several times on the same page. I suspect that this could have improved in a later printing. It just seems like there’s a lot that could have been removed.

Solid reference but poorly executed. ...more

4

May 08, 2014

You don't have to be a dope head to appreciate the real history of hemp and its suppression by the petroleum companies. I read this as an underground rag type publication way back in the early 80s and it is a real eye-opener. Unbelievable and I particularly liked the bite sized chunks of information within the book and how it was laid out. An absolute must read for anyone who wants to understand the real reason why they have banned marijuana or anything else that might make people too free and You don't have to be a dope head to appreciate the real history of hemp and its suppression by the petroleum companies. I read this as an underground rag type publication way back in the early 80s and it is a real eye-opener. Unbelievable and I particularly liked the bite sized chunks of information within the book and how it was laid out. An absolute must read for anyone who wants to understand the real reason why they have banned marijuana or anything else that might make people too free and self-sufficient. Even if you don't smoke yourself, we should stand up in principal to legalize this amazing natural healer and reinstate all its uses as oil, paper, canvas, clothes etc.... Just read it - you won't be disappointed, but perhaps a little amazed. I'm delighted it is still circulating after all these decades. ...more

5

Apr 28, 2012

Really rad bathroom book! As my friend Dickie can tell you, you can make tampons and circus clowns out of hemp! It's that fucking amazing.

But seriously, really awesome/entertaining read. And you already know about hemp. But it's layout is collage-style (news articles, fun Trader Joe's-type illustrations, etc), and we all know that it's fucking bullshit that a plant that is one of our oldest co-evolutionary partners is illegal. Makes perfect sense that it is illegal, however, since the Big 6 Really rad bathroom book! As my friend Dickie can tell you, you can make tampons and circus clowns out of hemp! It's that fucking amazing.

But seriously, really awesome/entertaining read. And you already know about hemp. But it's layout is collage-style (news articles, fun Trader Joe's-type illustrations, etc), and we all know that it's fucking bullshit that a plant that is one of our oldest co-evolutionary partners is illegal. Makes perfect sense that it is illegal, however, since the Big 6 Banks' (ie "Federal" Reserve) narco-war primed us for the police-state that is all but gelled. Anyway, this book should be a standard on your shelves like The Brothers Grimm or the Joy of Cooking or whatever. Get it. ...more

4

Jun 20, 2009

its a good book that tells us the the truth behind pot smoking. the book was very helpful for clearing up the issues that the government has with this misunderstood drug. it was a little long and factual for my taste but a good informational read. i have been watching weeds recently and this clears up a lot of the issues i had with the show from laws to terminology used. its a good book for getting a little background on what teen culture is hooked on