Mary Jane: The Complete Marijuana Handbook for Women

by Cheri Sicard

Overview

"Finally, a thoroughly modern guide to help women become Cannabis Sativa connoisseurs. Welcome to a wonderful examination of weed-a plant worthy of saving the planet and people's lives." — Greta Gaines, performing artist and TV host

Covering the aspects of cannabis that matter most to women, Mary Jane takes readers on a guided tour through the new world of marijuana, where using pot can be healthy, fun, stylish, and safe. In Mary Jane, marijuana expert Cheri Sicard reveals everything women have needed to know but may have been afraid to ask about using cannabis. Packed with everyday tips, topics include:

How to Host a Pot Party
Medibles, Edibles, and Other Smoke-Free Options
Easy Recipes for Foodies
Budding Beauty Products
Taking Mary Jane to Bed
Deals and Steals for Your Budget
Gotta-Have-It Gadgets
Grow Your Own Garden
Remedies for Everyday Ailments
Movies & Music
Travel Tips
Pot and Parenting
DIY Pipes and Projects
What the Celebs are Saying

. . . and much more!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780594828242
Publisher:	Da Capo Press
Publication date:	04/07/2015
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Cheri Sicard never would have thought that she would one day become a passionate marijuana activist. Once a closeted medical marijuana user, she now works with numerous reform groups and frequently organizes rallies, speaks at city council meetings, and gives classes on various aspects of marijuana. She also advocates for clemency on behalf of prisoners serving life sentences for nonviolent marijuana offenses.

Cheri is a professional writer, recipe developer, and internet entrepreneur. Her earlier books include The Great American Handbook, U.S. Citizenship for Dummies, and Everyday American. In addition, Cheri's Cannabis Gourmet Cookbook is one of the most popular and well-reviewed books of its kind.

Read an Excerpt

Q&A with Mary Jane author Cheri Sicard

1. What can readers look forward to in Mary Jane that they wouldn’t find in a “traditional” cannabis handbook?
Readers will enjoy a well-rounded look at the subject that gives women the information they need to incorporate cannabis into their lives in ways that makes sense for their needs and circumstances. The book covers both serious subjects like medical conditions, parenting, and legal matters; but, never losing sight of the fact that marijuana is also fun and celebratory, it also goes into the subjects of entertainment, sex, travel, and pop culture. It truly is a handbook that will give readers a complete overview of the subject. After reading it, readers will know more about marijuana than the average cannabis consumer.

2. Why do we need a marijuana handbook for women?
Most of the books and publications out there on this subject are written from the standpoint of a college-aged stoner frat boy—a voice that many women don’t relate to. Women have unique issues when it comes to cannabis, especially in regards to to parenting and health concerns: there are many medical conditions unique to women that can benefit from cannabis use. Women also tend to feel the social stigma against marijuana use more profoundly than men. I wanted to write a book that spoke to these issues and more in a way that women—young women, mothers, grandmothers, and everyone in between—could relate to.

3. What are some of the biggest myths about marijuana that you want to dispel with Mary Jane?
There are so many it is difficult to know where to begin, but the book tackles them all. The biggest myth is that marijuana is something to be feared. When you get beyond the hype and politically charged messages and examine the facts, it’s easy to see that there is a whole lot to celebrate. Practically everything the average person has been taught about marijuana is wrong and the facts often run counter to what you might expect. For instance, you cannot overdose on marijuana; it is not addictive; it is a powerful and healthful antioxidant; traffic fatalities, teen use, and even suicide rates have gone down in states in which medical marijuana is legal; smoking marijuana does not contribute to lung cancer, and might actually protect against it; the list goes on and on.

4. Why is now the right time for women to “come out of the cannabis closet”?
Stigmas are falling away, attitudes are changing, and the public is waking up to the fact that a whole lot of people regularly use cannabis and still lead happy, productive, successful lives. We are in the middle of a cultural shift. The internet has made information about marijuana more accessible, and with that information more and more women are realizing that cannabis makes sense in their lives, both for medicinal and recreational reasons. It’s the new way to unwind and relax, and a far safer alternative to alcohol.

Table of Contents

Introduction: On Women and Weed
Chapter 1: Cannabis 101: The Grass that's Always Greener
Chapter 2: Smoke Signals and Vapor Trails: Inhaling Marijuana
Chapter 3: Extracts With Impact: Hash, Wax, Oil, and Other Concentrates
Chapter 4: Joint Custody: How to Get Your Own Cannabis
Chapter 5: Weed the People: Know Your Rights
Chapter 6: Paging Dr. Mary Jane: Medical Marijuana
Chapter 7: Yoganja! Healthy Living with Mary Jane
Chapter 8: Farmer Jane: Grow Your Own
Chapter 9: Stirring the Pot: Cooking with Cannabis
Chapter 10: The Canna Sutra: Buds in the Bedroom
Chapter 11: Marijuana Mamas: Cannabis and Parenting
Chapter 12: Handy Hempy Household Hints: Pot Parties, DIY Projects, Keeping Your Green Clean, and More
Chapter 13: Starring Mary Jane: Cannabis in Entertainment
Chapter 14: Hop on the Cannabus: Traveling with Mary Jane
Chapter 15: Kushy Jobs: Careers in the Cannabis Industry
Chapter 16: Yes We Cannabis! Be an Open Advocate
Chapter 17: Get On Your High Horse: How to Win Any Argument about Marijuana
Appendix: Through the Years with Mary Jane: A Cannabis Chronology

Editorial Reviews

"With marijuana finally coming out of the shadows, there's an urgent need for clear and honest information about what it is, where to find it, and how to use it. Cheri Sicard has written a handbook not just for women, but for anyone who is curious and open-minded."—Barbara Ehrenreich

"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."—Library Journal—-

From the Publisher

03/15/2015
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

Library Journal