Cannabis: The Illegalization of Weed in America

Description

In 1518 CE Mexico, Cortes introduces hemp farming during his violent colonial campaign. In secret, locals begin cultivating the plant for consumption. It eventually makes its way to the United States through the immigrant labor force, where it's shared with black laborers. It doesn't take American lawmakers long to decry cannabis as the vice of "inferior races." To strengthen their anti-drug campaigns, legislators spread vicious lies about the dangers of cannabis. As a result, the plant is given a schedule I classification, alongside heroin. Author Box Brown delves deep into this complex and troubling history and offers a rich, entertaining, and thoroughly researched graphic essay on the racist legacy of cannabis legislation in America.

Box Brown is an Ignatz Award-winning cartoonist, illustrator, and comic publisher from Philadelphia. His books include the New York Times-bestselling Andre the Giant: Life and Legend, Tetris: The Games People Play, and Is This Guy For Real?: The Unbelievable Andy Kaufman. Box Brown's independent comics publishing house, Retrofit Comics, was launched in 2011. boxbrown.com

"Box Brown has a knack for using comics to illuminate tricky subjects... [His] pared-down drawings provide the perfect support for stories freighted with layers of misinformation and irony." --NPR "This illuminating work by Brown (Is This Guy for Real?) examines the history of the outlawing of marijuana in the U.S. and finds the drug's restriction is based on racism and falsehoods... This useful work will inform anyone curious about cannabis's history in America."--Publishers Weekly "Brown's signature style supports the narrative well, using grayscale panels and simple, uncluttered cartoon style to deliver the facts in an accessible, straightforward manner...Teens working on current events assignments will appreciate its inviting approach and critical lens." --Booklist "Although disagreement about cannabis remains, this well-researched book takes an unflinching look at how racism and political agendas have influenced perceptions and policy." --School Library Journal "Cannabis might be Brown's most epic work to date, taking readers on a detailed journey through the history of marijuana and America's legislation against it." --The Comics Journal "In this illuminating work of graphic nonfiction, Brown provides a thoughtful look at the history, pharmacological affects, and legalization movement surrounding marijuana in North America." --TheMillions.com