10 Hemp-tastic Books to Add to Your Reading List
Are you a cannabis aficionado? Are you a skeptical but curious consumer? Are you a bookworm? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then this is the Canna-book guide is for you!
No matter how we feel toward CBD, we all know one thing: Our eccentric leaf is having a moment. Now, medical professionals are starting to use CBD treatments in their practice, and we have edibles, essential oils and even pet treats! And they’re all safe for consumption (in the right amounts, of course)!
To top it all off, cannabis is also gaining fame in the publishing industry. So, without further ado, here are 10 books that we recommend for you and the hemp-lover/skeptic in your life.
(*These books are organized by Amazon ranking.)
Books for the Curious
The Little Book of Cannabis: How Marijuana Can Improve Your Life by Amanda Siebert (Greystone Books/2018) (4.7/5 stars)
Interviewing respected researchers and medical professionals, cannabis journalist Siebert not only tackles the years-long stigma against the plant but also contains 10 research-based ways that hemp can improve your life, from better sleep to diet improvement to stress relief.
Chronic Relief: A Guide to Cannabis for the Terminally & Chronically Ill by Nishi Whiteley (Alivio LLC/2016) (4.6/5 stars)
"No one wants sickness or old age getting in the way", says Captain Obvious. Containing anecdotes from over 12 CBD experts (including a foreword by respected CBD expert Russo), Chronic Relief gives us information on how cannabis can potentially slow the aging process, fight cancer, and how patients can enjoy safe amounts of CBD.
Cannabis Revealed: How the world's most misunderstood plant is healing everything from chronic pain to epilepsy by Bonni Goldstein M.D. (2016) (4.5/5 stars)
Well-known CBD specialist, physican and owner of Canna-Centers Bonni Goldstein M.D. is on a mission to destigmatize the plant. In her book, Cannabis Revealed, she shares her experiences treating sick patients with medicinal Cannabis, providing scientific evidence on the newly-discovered endocannabinoid system, advantages and risks of using CBD, and ways that patients can use hemp in moderation.
CBD: What You Need to Know: Second Edition by Dr. Gregory L. Smith (2020) (4.5/5 stars)
Written by the author of bestselling book, Medical Cannabis, Dr. Smith acknowledges the lack of good-quality CBD and offers solutions on how to choose hemp treatments that are right for you. In seven sections, Smith covers hemp’s potential of treating ailments such as fibromyalgia, addiction, anxiety, and much more.
The Great Book of Hemp: The Complete Guide to the Environmental, Commercial, and Medicinal Uses of the World's Most Extraordinary Plant by Rowan Robinson (Park Street Press/1995) (4.5/5 stars)
Did you know Christopher Columbus (yes, that Christopher Columbus) carried batches of hemp in his ships? Well, now you know!
If you’re a curious CBD consumer, history buff AND art lover, then The Great Book of Hemp would be the perfect read for your TBR list! Filled with vintage black-and-white illustrations and photos, this book delves deep into cannabis’s history, from its prohibition to its medicinal and therapeutic purposes to its usage as currency.
Books for the Enthusiast
A Woman's Guide to Cannabis: Using Marijuana to Feel Better, Look Better, Sleep Better–and Get High Like a Lady by Nikki Furrer (Workman Publishing Company/2018) (4.8/5 stars)
After running an independent bookstore, author Nikki Furrer moved to Colorado, where she learned about CBD and how to grow different species of cannabis plants. Sharing her newfound knowledge about the failures of conventional medical treatments, Furrer explores various topics about CBD, including its skin-care and mood-boosting abilities, ways to benefit from it without the high, and recipes for edibles!
Higher Etiquette: A Guide to the World of Cannabis, from Dispensaries to Dinner Parties by Lizzie Post (Ten Speed Press/2019) (4.8/5 stars)
Ever heard the saying, “Share an apple with a friend”? Well, Higher Etiquette tells us to share cannabis with a friend – if they’re okay with it, that is.
While addressing the many “hippie” stereotypes of Cannabis users and the lack of research on the plant itself, Lizzie Post gives specialty plant lovers a 101 course on the art of Cannabis etiquette, including examples of how to use cannabis products responsibly and when it is appropriate to bring a product as a gift to someone.
Cannabis and CBD for Health and Wellness by Aliza Sherman & Dr. Junella Chin (Ten Speed Press/2019) (4.7/5 stars)
“Having suffered in pain for so long, I know what it feels like to say to your doctor, “ ’I’ve tried everything and nothing has helped.’ ”
This is the last line of Dr. Junella Chin’s story in the book’s opening pages, after sharing her experience with using cannabis after being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) – a special type of arthritis that targets areas from the spine to the nerves. If you love intimate backstories from authors and are constantly looking for healthy ways to integrate hemp into your lifestyle, you won’t be disappointed with this read.
High Yoga: Enhance Yoga with Cannabis and CBD Treatments for Relaxation, Healing, and Bliss by Darrin Zeer (Chronicle Books/2019) (4.5/5 stars)
Are we really surprised that one of the world’s most anxiety-relieving exercises has a history with the equally-relieving CBD? Dubbed by CNN as “America’s Relaxation Expert,” Darrin Zeer welcomes every level of Cannabis user and yogi to enjoy his book, sharing the best poses for certain doses and tips on how to safely use hemp (even recommending the lowest dose possible for new consumers). Perfect for the dedicated yogi and CBD enthusiast in your life!
The Cannabible by Jason King (Ten Speed Press/2001) (4.4/5 stars)
For the connoisseur who loves photos of their favorite flower, The Cannabible serves as both cannabis bible and travel guide, telling the story of author Jason King’s journey through North America, Europe, and Hawaii, documenting on film the best cannabis in the world. You’ll both marvel and laugh out loud at the plants’ colorful names – who wouldn’t want to sample a plant with the name "Purple Haze" or "Cat Piss"?