Book finished:
Humboldt: Life on America's Marijuana Frontier
19/12/2014
Honestly, I was searching for a biography of Alexander von Humboldt and this came up instead.
I found it an interesting read; the author didn't let any pretentions of arty writing intrude on a pretty straightforward telling of four life-stories from the marjuana growing region of Northern California's Humboldt county. It was interesting to hear how things developed out of the Sixties counterculture back-to-the-land movement in ways that were quite similar to stories I heard of Northland and Nelson in New Zealand at about the same time: Harvest parties, gentle and laid-back stoner scenes becoming edgy and contentious through the illegality of growing, sour deals, kids with idyllic memories, etc. An aspect featured which differed from the New Zealand stories was the legalisation of cultivation for medicinal purposes. It was also a bit quirky to hear that paradoxically, many growers oppose full legalisation as it would likely drive prices down dramatically. |
The author actually lived and worked in the area while gathering material for the book, and grew up in a nearby county, so this is not an outsider's once-over-lightly treatment, and she is at pains to present viewpoints from both sides of the law, from amateur and commercial growers, parents and children, hippie and redneck types.
For those with an interest in the subject, this would be an informative read, evenhanded enough to provide arguments for and against many aspects of marijuana culture and cultivation.
For those with an interest in the subject, this would be an informative read, evenhanded enough to provide arguments for and against many aspects of marijuana culture and cultivation.
Read as an e-book borrowed from Auckland Libraries via BorrowBox, on my Kobo Touch e-reader.