It’s no denying that literature is a close friend of cannabis. It may have been rocky at times but cannabis has inspired not only research but columns, novels, and those who create them for as long as it’s been used. At the moment, there are a little over 5,200 books about cannabis written in the English language. In The Social Weed’s typical way of celebrating, let’s look at cannabis history with books and a few you can check out for yourself for National Book Lover’s day.
I’m a fellow book-lover myself; the art of storytelling fascinates me on some many levels. I think cannabis has something to do with that but books can take their readers to different worlds on words alone. Years before 8000 BCE, hemp had been used for agricultural purposes before it’s common use as a textile 4,000 years later. The first book made of hemp, however, took place between 200-100 BCE in China; around the same time, the Book of Rites made mention of hemp fabrics. It wasn’t until the mid-1800s when cannabis was discussed in books openly. The charge was led by Fitz Hugh Ludlow, author of The Hasheesh Eater: Being Passages from the Life of a Pythagorean. Though it propelled a lifestyle of over-consumption, the work was a deep journey of highly drug-induced experiences from Ludlow’s perspective. Since then, the book has become an underground success, securing its place in culture as a cult classic, with readers nowadays claiming it’s the “most unusual, brilliant, and now inexplicably neglected work”. Three years later, Charles Baudelaire wrote Artificial Paradises. It was a much darker look at that world, exploring Baudelaire’s violent and ultimately tragic life as an opium addict. Despite the nature that may have added cannabis to a darker and more dangerous world than many see it as, the light it shed opened a conversation of research more than anything.
Just as it has helped liberate people and provide mental relief for many, literature has pushed many issues into the forefront of society. Hunter S. Thompson, a late well-known writer, cannabis enthusiasts – among other things-, and fellow book lover has aided in the push as well. The writer who introduced a style of writing that was based on experience and lacked objectivity opened conversations about various issues. As we look back at the first at some of the first books about and made-up of cannabis, it’s important to look at those who wrote them as well.
Though the writer is best known for his book, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, his resume goes much further than the twice movie adapted work and into other faucets as well. After publishing his first work, Hell’s Angels -a personal account of his time with the motorcycle group-, back in 1967 Thompson has also been known for his separate cannabis advocacy. He was a voice of the people to the people up until his death in 2005. Celebrating his life and legacy, you can even be able to see the famous “Red Shark” from Fear and Loathing at Las Vegas’ new cannabis museum, Cannabition, in late September.
Thompson wasn’t the only cannabis user and author, however. Whether you know him from his strain or from his growing tips, Jack Herer, is another leading name in the industry who is also an author. His book, The Emperor Wears No Clothes, published in 1985 was a complete write-up on obvious uses for cannabis and it’s wrongful prohibition. Jack wrote one of the most intellectual and honest views of cannabis that the world had seen. Coming out of the culture of the late 60s and 70s, the perspective change was refreshing for the community. Both advocates pushed the boundaries of writing and cannabis acceptance during their lives and our community has much to thank them as well as many others for.
It was once said that one should be careful of books and what is inside, for they have the power to change us. For cannabis, however, that change may have been just what we needed as it has led to us to this point in our country. So in honor of those words and cannabis as well, let us all cherish National Book Lover’s Day and dive into the change that has helped us accomplish so much. Check out some cannabis-related books to read today or even try out some of the ones we mentioned -Fear and Loathing is a hometown favorite. Let’s all curl up with a book and a little bit of bud this afternoon and enjoy the day!
