To the patients who are suffering, the enthusiasts standing up to adversity, the activists decrying unjust laws, and those doing time for victimless crimes: this book is for you. CONTENTS Foreword by Dr. Rav Ivker Introduction 1. Improving Sleep 2. Decreasing Stress and Anxiety 3. Boosting Mood and Creativity 4. Metabolism, Weight Management, and Exercise Recovery 5. Cannabis as a Superfood 6. A Steamier Sex Life 7. An Effective Source of Pain Management 8. A Powerful Support for Cancer Treatment 9. Easing the Aging Process 10. The Exit Drug Appendix 1: The Endocannabinoid System Appendix 2: How to Prepare and Use Cannabis Notes Acknowledgments DISCLAIMER THIS BOOK IS not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from physicians. The reader should regularly consult a physician about matters relating to their health, and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. While this book may mention specific product types, cannabis strains, cannabinoids, consumption methods, and so forth, the author and publisher recommend that readers notify their physicians if they are thinking about consuming cannabis for medicinal purposes. Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, they do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any part for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. The state of cannabis research is changing, and with the renewed interest in this plant, it is being studied more rigorously. As such, future research on the topics mentioned may come to conclusions that are contrary to what has been printed in this book. Please consult local laws for the minimum age for cannabis use and other restrictions. FOREWORD THIS HIGHLY INFORMATIVE book provides readers, first-timers as well as experienced consumers, with an excellent practical introduction to the multifaceted life-changing benefits of cannabis. Retail sales of cannabis began in Canada on October 17, 2018, making it the second nation in the world, after Uruguay, to legalize the herb for recreational use. Since 2001, medical marijuana has been legal in Canada, as it is in the majority of U.S. states, at time of writing, with an ever-increasing number also approving the use of recreational cannabis. This rapidly accelerating trend is reversing nearly a century of prohibition of a powerful medicinal herb used throughout the world both medically and spiritually for more than five thousand years. However, as a result of its illegality, its criminalization, and the lack of knowledge about the circumstances that led to its prohibition, as well as disapproval among the medical establishment, the majority of the world’s current population understandably remains skeptical. In addition, there has been a relative lack of reliable evidence-based information to dispel the myths and misconceptions surrounding cannabis. The Little Book of Cannabis helps significantly to fill that void. As a holistic physician and cannabis clinician, I have used medical marijuana with more than eight thousand patients to relieve their suffering. From both my professional and personal experience with cannabis, spanning more than five decades, I strongly support the material presented by Amanda Siebert. Whether the chapter is discussing the use of cannabis for insomnia, anxiety, pain, inflammation, cancer, creativity and sexual pleasure, or end-of-life care, the author offers valuable and accurate information. I enjoyed her real-life compelling case studies, which correlated well with many of my patient stories. By far the most frequent use of cannabis as a medicine, and its greatest therapeutic benefit, is the relief of chronic pain. This is certainly true of my practice, as more than 90 percent of my patients suffer with some degree of persistent pain. I found Chapter 7, “An Effective Source of Pain Management,” to be particularly helpful for any patient struggling with chronic pain or physicians who might be hesitant about treating their patients with cannabis. Siebert did a superb job of researching this topic, drawing heavily on recent studies, historical references, and the work of Dr. Mark Ware, an associate professor in family medicine and anesthesia at McGill University in Montreal and the director of clinical research at the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit at the McGill University Health Centre. As a physician, I found the scientific references to be of particular interest, and they added to my knowledge base. The book is very well written, well researched, concise, yet comprehensive in its scope of cannabis-related quality-of-life benefits. Cannabis is a complex herb containing more than two hundred compounds. Siebert is able to simplify its complexity and provide explanations at a level that can be easily understood by most readers. As a result, The Little Book of Cannabis is an excellent guide for anyone interested in using this remarkable herb to heighten their enjoyment of life. DR. RAV IVKER AUTHOR, CANNABIS FOR Chronic Pain COFOUNDER AND FORMER president, American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine INTRODUCTION