I thought a slightly contentious title would be a good start.

The authors:

Lester Grinspoon, M.D.

Dr. Lester Grinspoon was born June 24, 1928 in Newton, Massachusetts. He is married and the father of 3 children. Dr. Grinspoon is Associate Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the author or co-author of several drug-related books, including Marijuana Reconsidered, Psychedelic Drugs Reconsidered, Marijuana: The Forbidden Medicine and Psychedelic Reflections. The first two were published during the 1970s, when it appeared cannabis was well on its way to nationwide decriminalization in the United States. The latter was published in 1993. It describes a variety of ailments for which cannabis ingestion may be indicated.

James B. Bakalar

James Bakalar is Editor of the Harvard Mental Health Letter and Lecturer in Law in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School.

The book begins with a brief history of cannabis, examining the possibly ten thousand year history of cannabis use amongst humans and ending with the current legal quagmire surrounding cannabis, specifically focused on the USA.

The majority of the remainder of the book is a look at specific medical ailments that cannabis has been found to help with and includes often heartbreaking case studies of individuals denied the right to medicate themselves.

The remainder of the book makes a very coherent argument suggesting the claims that cannabis has no therapeutic effects is an unreasonable one, since there is very little research done due to its illegal status.
Also, a clinical look at cannabis is taken which examines the relative harm of cannabis in relation to many of the drugs touted by the pharmaceutical companies as more effective and less harmful medications.

A personal opinion:

The other day I had an argument with someone about cannabis and this individual spat out the same old cliches and unfounded claims that I have heard time and time again from a startling amount of otherwise perfectly sensible people. I am continually surprised at the sheer amount of misinformation floating around when it comes to what I (and a Harvard Professor, as well as millions of other people) perceive as a fairly harmless, if not potentially useful plant.

I challenge anyone who would rather pop a Prozac or drink a beer to read this book.

Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/Marihuana-Dr-Lester-Grinspoon-M-D/dp/0300070861#reader_0300070861

Great review Ziltoid.

It echoes many of my own thoughts on the subject.
It has very little if any harmful effects if one speaks about recreational use, definitely many degrees less than alcohol for instance.

I have read a number of articles which purport it's medicinal uses specifically related to cancer sufferers and other terminally ill patients.
In addition I recall reading at some stage that the petroleum industry was one of the main culprits in sponsoring a number of studies getting it banned.
This was as I understood it because they had new synthetic by products such as nylon etc. and getting Marijuana banned, one of the main uses at that time being a natural woven cloth called hemp was highly beneficial to them.

It is encouraging to see some enlightenment in States such as California, where specifically in same districts of San Francisco there is a far more relaxed attitude towards the medicinal use of Marijuana, with persons now being able to purchase it legally in certain stores specializing in that.

In agriculture is was extensively used at one stage as a border surrounding other crops because of it's effectiveness in keeping other 'weeds' at bay from the main crops.

Some reconsideration by authorities is desirable in my opinion.

Anybody ever see the US 1940's pro war propaganda proclaiming: "Hemp for victory"?

Ziltoid - "Petroleum" you mean the old assumption that cannabis has a massive green energy potential?
Some call it nature's solar panels. Quick turnaround on crops means energy is synthesized very quickly to plant matter which can be used for whatever we desire. What's more is the amount of oxygen put back in to the air during the grow cycle of cannabis.

It is scary that something that can give us the following is banned:

Food
Shelter
Energy
Medicine
clothes.

That sums about everything we need to survive sans water.

We can thank racist, uninformed, profit driven, government sanctioned propaganda for that.

It's scary and sad, yet a model we, as a species, seem to gravitate towards.

Not a lot of people are aware of the politics and the numbers behind the illegality of Cannabis. It really is THE biggest conspiracy against mankind rivaling the roman catholic asssholz. The instant lifting of bans (and guys I'm talking about the agricultural/industrial uses of Cannabis) coupled with instant exploitation thereof in an ordered manner would change the face of the international economy forever. It would render loads of synthetic and polluting companies to shut down faster than the shake of a donkey's tail. It will suffocate the fossil energy industry and it will RUIN hundreds of the most richest men in the world to nothing.

Why?

Because energy, clothing and lots of other "new" and "better" stuff we have concocted the last 100 years will be taken back by earth. This meaning that people will opt for hemp as it will be sustainable, cheap and it will be available to everyone. The products thereof will create jobs again to process this stuff. And these will sell like hotcakes. I bet you every member on this board will convert to hemp jeans if I were to show you the quality and the comfort. No cotton can compare.

It will literally save mother earth.

Read this article of studies done by the University of Bath in UK:
http://www.greenbang.com/hemp-homes-offer-better-than-zero-carbon-footprint_8702.html
Basically what they are saying is that the actual fibres of hemp will contain the Co2 we have pumped in the air the last 100 years or so. It will have a "negative" carbon footprint which is what we need right now.

It will literally save mother earth.

Read this article of studies done by the University of Bath in UK:
http://www.greenbang.com/hemp-homes-offer-better-than-zero-carbon-footprint_8702.html
Basically what they are saying is that the actual fibres of hemp will contain the Co2 we have pumped in the air the last 100 years or so. It will have a "negative" carbon footprint which is what we need right now.

Very interesting link there bRUCE.
I was made aware by that article for the first time that hemp could be used as a construction material and the negative carbon footprint added to the very rapid growth of the plant makes it an highly attractive proposition.

It reminds me a little of some research I did a couple of years ago on the internet on straw-bale house construction on behalf of a friend.
It is a form of construction which dates back hundreds of years and may sound silly at first glance.
Primarily suited to drier climates where moisture penetration is not a huge issue there have been some very innovative designs and constructions done by individuals and university teams.
Basically the foundation and roof remain of a fairly conventional construct whereas the walls are then stacked using straw-bales and covered by a plaster mixture to seal out moisture. It also allows for some highly organic expression such as hand carved alcoves etc due to it's pliable nature.
Cost savings are an obvious benefit due to the material used and the speed with which it can be erected.
Insulation against both heat and cold is obviously second to none.

I think that the building industry and the legal head of local councils have for far too long looked at the ever so conventional methods of construction, when their are many alternatives available, some with great environmental benefits to boot.