You can find a wide range of books that cover the basic concepts about cannabis and CBD. Too many Options to choose. You may find it overwhelming to sift through all the books, blogs, and websites that are dedicated to helping consumers learn about this vital topic.
Not all educational materials on cannabis are helpful or accurate. Since I am a cannabis expert who assists new patients with their treatment, I always want to look at these books myself to determine if they’re worth the read and recommending. The amount of material available is disappointing.
The Natural Medicine Guide was very interesting. Cannabis & CBD for Health & Wellness Aliza Sherman & Dr. Junella C. Although similar to other 101 cannabis guides, the approach of Aliza Sherman and Dr. Junella Chin blends scientific and practical aspects into a book which is both accessible and based on objective data. Although the book was first published in 2019, its content is still current.
Like many books, the 167 pages of this book begin with a short explanation of the history of cannabis, its science, and its medical potential before moving on to practical aspects of using marijuana. These descriptions have been written to be accessible for the average reader. The book also guides the consumer through the many important pieces of information they need to know about cannabis.
There are a couple of places that this guide stands out from the rest.
For one thing, this guide has medical bona fides that many others don’t — it was co-written by a doctor who actually specializes in cannabis.
“Writing the book with a doctor was a no-brainer, since I’m a journalist and author, but not a medical professional,” co-author Aliza Sherman explains. The book was written with a doctor because I’m a journalist and author, but not a medical professional.
Sherman’s argument is that a lot online information lacks the expertise of medical professionals, and misunderstandings of scientific data may lead to misconceptions on how cannabis can be used effectively.
The section of this guide that discusses the use of cannabis to treat specific medical problems is another area where it differs. This book uses real-life patient stories to explain each illness or symptom. While other guides review the scientific basis for a condition and provide recommendations, this guide tells the story of a specific person who has experienced the condition. This book explains a patient’s condition, their treatment plan and the results they achieved before offering broader recommendations based on data. It contains information which I have not seen in any other beginners cannabis guide. This could help patients to understand the most effective way of treating their ailments.
Throughout the book, I found clear and easy-to-follow writing coupled with interesting medical insights. The dynamic writing duo that is a reporter/researcher with a doctor who has a reputation for being a cannabis expert makes sense.
Although well researched and informative, the book on cannabis is far from being a scientific text. The book has a bibliography, but there is little scientific information within the text. There are no direct references or footnotes. This can be either a good or bad thing, depending what you are looking for. This book may be frustrating if you are a patient like me who enjoys tracking down research as they go. If you’re looking for a comprehensive, readable and accessible guide on cannabis use, this book is not the one to choose. Cannabis & CBD for Health & Wellness This is an excellent choice.
This article was originally published in the issue 40 of Cannabis Now.