Mary Jane

March 15, 2015

As legal restrictions on marijuana ease, some people who have never partaken--or who haven't picked up a joint since college--will try it. Women in that situation will find Sicard (The Cannabis Gourmet Cookbook) a helpful, reassuring guide to all things pot, including how to buy and use marijuana, legal issues, medical uses, growing and cooking with the drug, pot and sex, pot and parenting, traveling with weed and marijuana tourism, cannabis careers, and more. The lively writing style and professional presentation make for an enjoyable read. A marijuana activist, Sicard takes a strong pro-pot stance throughout. She does not address potential risks in any detail and dismisses concerns about driving under the influence or using while pregnant. She also makes some unsupported medical claims, e.g., "Cannabis can cure some cancers, some of the time" and it has "been shown to be effective in treating" a long list of conditions including autism, bipolar disorder, and hepatitis C. VERDICT Recommended with reservations for readers who have already decided to participate in marijuana use. Those still weighing risks and benefits should consult a more balanced resource in addition to this book.--Janet Crum, Northern Arizona Univ. Lib., Flagstaff

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