- Hardcover: 260 pages
- Publisher: OUP Oxford; illustrated edition edition (11 Sep 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0199249385
- ISBN-13: 978-0199249381
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16.4 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,585,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Review
History Today: Book of the Year Prize: Highly Commended
Mills's conclusions are salutary in the current cannabis debate. (London Review of Books )
An excellent account of the changing perceptions of a substance that has once again become the focus of attention ... a judicious mix of serious analysis and interesting anecdotes that shed light on the ongoing colourful career of cannabis (Zaheer Baber, Times Literary Supplement )
"an amusing book to read, very well researched, and eminently readable". (Ann Widdecombe, Radio 4 Today programme d )
Mills's conclusions are salutary in the current cannabis debate. (London Review of Books )
An excellent account of the changing perceptions of a substance that has once again become the focus of attention ... a judicious mix of serious analysis and interesting anecdotes that shed light on the ongoing colourful career of cannabis (Zaheer Baber, Times Literary Supplement )
"an amusing book to read, very well researched, and eminently readable". (Ann Widdecombe, Radio 4 Today programme d )
Times Literary Supplement, 12 December 2003
a judicious mix of serious analysis and interesting anecdotes that shed light on the ongoing colourful career of cannabis
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
Although cannabis substances experienced only periodic popularity as medicines and were little used as recreational drugs in the United Kingdom before the 1950s, the above quotes suggest that the British, their governments, and Indian hemp products have enjoyed a long and colourful history. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Although cannabis substances experienced only periodic popularity as medicines and were little used as recreational drugs in the United Kingdom before the 1950s, the above quotes suggest that the British, their governments, and Indian hemp products have enjoyed a long and colourful history. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It is about time someone explained why we have the laws we do on cannnabis. This book does just that and looks at the history of our cannabis legislation. This is something that all involved in the cannabis debate should read.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
An excellent commodity history
31 Jan 2009
Format:Paperback
This is one of the best academic histories on the subject of cannabis, and I have read many. If you are sick and tired of reading popular conspiracy theories, or books that repeat anecdotal evidence ranging over thousands of years that cannot be substantiated, then this book is for you. It is well-written, easy to digest, and flawlessly researched and footnoted. It looks at the mechanisms of the British Empire, specifically its relationship with India, where Britain learnt a great deal about the intoxicating uses of hemp.
At the start of the nineteenth century, Britain sought to utilise India in the provision of hemp for rope. Indian cannabis cultivators were uncooperative as they already had viable distribution networks for their intoxicants. The British taxed this trade and undertook medical research which revealed promising results. Mills provides great detail on the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission Report of 1893, and illustrates the ways that cannabis consumption first came to be associated with insanity and illegality. He also analyses the League of Nations' Opium Conferences of the 1920s, which led to cannabis being scheduled alongside opium and cocaine as a dangerous narcotic. This marked the beginning of the modern era of international cannabis control.
Mills treats cannabis as an imperial commodity, rather than a magical plant. He is objective in his appraisal of the subject, neither pro or anti prohibition. His arguments are tight and applied to his research, and do not trail off into the hippie garbage that typifies much writing on cannabis. Mills' trade is history not polemics, and he leaves space for the reader to draw their own conclusions.
The book is full of interesting and surprising insights and incidents, not only about cannabis. Scholars who are interested in British imperial history, nineteenth century India, or the machinations of the League of Nations will find great value in this book. An academic yet accessible history, this book is one of a kind.
At the start of the nineteenth century, Britain sought to utilise India in the provision of hemp for rope. Indian cannabis cultivators were uncooperative as they already had viable distribution networks for their intoxicants. The British taxed this trade and undertook medical research which revealed promising results. Mills provides great detail on the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission Report of 1893, and illustrates the ways that cannabis consumption first came to be associated with insanity and illegality. He also analyses the League of Nations' Opium Conferences of the 1920s, which led to cannabis being scheduled alongside opium and cocaine as a dangerous narcotic. This marked the beginning of the modern era of international cannabis control.
Mills treats cannabis as an imperial commodity, rather than a magical plant. He is objective in his appraisal of the subject, neither pro or anti prohibition. His arguments are tight and applied to his research, and do not trail off into the hippie garbage that typifies much writing on cannabis. Mills' trade is history not polemics, and he leaves space for the reader to draw their own conclusions.
The book is full of interesting and surprising insights and incidents, not only about cannabis. Scholars who are interested in British imperial history, nineteenth century India, or the machinations of the League of Nations will find great value in this book. An academic yet accessible history, this book is one of a kind.
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