Review: The Pot Book - A complete guide to cannabis

Originally published in 2010 'The Pot Book -- A complete guide to cannabis, its role in medicine, politics, science, and culture' is a collection of articles, essays and interviews edited by Julie Holland. A psychiatrist specialising in psychopharmacology, Holland has previously edited 'Ecstasy: The Complete Guide' and written the bestseller 'Weekends at Bellevue'. 'The Pot Book' is refreshingly comprehensive and takes into account many varied perspectives on this anciently used plant.

The Pot Book is divided into five parts that gives the reader a rough outline of approaches: An overview of cannabis; Risks of use and harm reduction; The clinical use of cannabis; Cannabis culture; and Steps in the right direction. In amongst these sections are notable contributors including the likes of Andrew Weil, Lester Grinspoon, Allen St. Pierre, Rick Doblin and Julie Holland, among many other lesser known but equally interesting people. This rich diversity sets the ground for a well-rounded and multidisciplined approach and although this method of arranging a text doesn't necessarily lend itself to a smooth front-to-back narrative this is not essential and would, in many respects, detract from the modern complexity of the issue, which these shorter essays amply tackle.