Aug.-Sept. 1982 RAIN Page 19 Access Good Things Marijuana as Medicine by Roger A. Roff- man, 1982,156 pp., $5.95 from: Madiona Publishers, Inc. 2116 Western Avenue Seattle, WA 98121 Trying to find out the "truth" about marijuana is a frustrating task. Between decriminalization efforts, street information, and government attempts to destroy miUions of American lungs with paraquat, it's hard to get a straight, reliable answer to the most basic questions: What effects does marijuana have on the nervous system? on chromosomes and sex hormones? the lungs? behavior? Is it addictive? Does it cure glaucoma or cancer? What are the actual legal risks involved in its use? Why is the right wing so neurotic about it? Even the Wo// Street journal acknowledges that tens of thousands of Americans use marijuana for medical purposes alone. Yet, there has been no accessible, readable, accurate guide to what is knovm — and not known — about the medical uses and effects of marijuana. So it is quite encouraging to finally see a thorough, scientific assessment of marijuana's potential. In addition to hardcore information about research studies on marijuana and THC as medicines, Roffman also includes an interesting discussion of the legal debate surrounding pot (it's legal to grow your own in Alasli — in Nevada a first offender over age 21 possessing any amount can get up to six years and a $5000 fine). He also devotes a chapter to the fascinating, flip-flop history of the drug (cannabis was planted against the wishes of the colonists in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1611, by order of the King). One chapter, "The Effects of Marijuana on Health and Behavior," deserves to be read by aU those who use pot for medicine or recreation. While there are stiU many unanswered questions in marijuana research, anyone who uses the stuff without at least trying to find out what is known has their head in the sand. One really nice thing about this book is that it is written for medical patients and families of patients who might benefit from marijuana use. The last chapter, on how to use cannabis, even includes some candy recip>es. If you or anyone you know is suffering the side effects of cancer chemotherapy — or watching a loved one do so — this book may give some comfort. —Mark Roseland Man Woman Double You, a Reversible Book by Sandra Haefker, 1982, 80pp., $13.00 from: Sandra Haefker 4812 N. Princeton Porltand, OR 97203 The drawings in this book are a series of visual puns, not only to be laughed at, but also to be viewed as a mirror of your own archet)rpical images of male and female, in their polarities and their struggle to merge. In this unusual and high quality production, Oregon artist Sandra Haefker reveals her own interpretations of relationship as art, artfully rendered with combinations of the letters M and W as S)TTibols of our masculine and feminine selves. John Laursen, the book designer and fine printer, has run Press-22 in Portland for the past twelve years, working with artists and poets to produce a variety of quality books and broadsides. Man Woman Double You is a fine collaborative work of artist and printer. — Nancy Cosp>er Editing Your Newsletter: A Guide to Writing, Design and Production, 2nd edition, by Mark Beach, 1982, 122 pp., $12.00 from: RAIN 2270 NW Irving Portland, OR 97210 Last year we gave the first edition of this book a somewhat glorious review. Now the second edition is out, and it's even better than the original — which px)ses a problem. Is the second edition so much better than the first that you should trade in your old one for this yeaPs model? As the Germans say so definitively, Es kommt darauf an — it all depends. On you, of course. The new sections on graphics and layout are SO good you just might find it worth your while. As for the rest of you, silly creatures, trying to edit a newsletter without this manual, it's time you get on the stick and get ahold of a copy — either edition. You're really missing out on something good! — Mark Roseland From: Man Woman Double You
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