One Toke: A Survival Guide for Teens

In the United States and several other countries the consumption of cannabis for medical and recreational use has grown year after year.  And while there is no turning back this wildly popular, if somewhat misunderstood, "herb," there is knowledge to be gained in looking deeper.  The question is: If you are a Parent or Teen, how does "the cannabis craze" affect ones quality of life?  Is there a marijuana  use - quality of life optimal equation?

THE CANNABIS CRAZE:  A Practical Guide for Parents and Teens is the first book to address teen marijuana use in a straight-forward and useful manner offering parents and teens options for being "smart "about a controversial subject. Written in short vignettes, THE CANNABIS CRAZE neither promotes nor dismisses teen marijuana use. Rather, the book examines ways to navigate the potential dangers and traps of smoking marijuana.

Written for TEENS who are either considering smoking pot or already smoking and PARENTS who are wondering what to do and how to cope, THE CANNABIS CRAZE is a no-nonsense resource guide focusing on harm-reduction and minimizing risks. The book covers a range of subjects associated with teen marijuana use, from peer pressure and addiction to pot-smoking parents.

The book also tackles a unique truth: statistics have shown, "just saying no to drugs" is not effective for most teens. If an adolescent chooses to smoke marijuana, and his or her mind is made-up, it is almost impossible to stop them. If this is true, there is a need for parents and teens to be skillful about the subject. This means, knowing how to dialogue as effectively as possible and keeping the lines of communication open. If we cannot stop our teens from smoking pot, we can at least offer options for being smart: practice making good choices, communicating honestly, and exploring self-knowledge.

For teens, THE CANNABIS CRAZE explores a myriad of issues that may be difficult to talk about, like Why Start?," "Secrets and Lies," and "Who am I?" For parents, the book offers insight as to what actually happens with their teens and marijuana use and what a "good enough" parent looks like.

For the author, who is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and has worked with teens for over 20 years, the book is meant to serve as a catalyst for further thought and discussion among peers and parents. With color illustrations by award winning graphic artist, Earl Cavanah, the book strives help both young people and parents alike approach and ultimately deepen their understanding about a controversial yet ever-evolving subject. 

As John Evans, author of the distinguished book, MARATHON DAD puts it, "...this conversation is about so much more than weed."

Gr 9 Up—In the United States, it's illegal for teens to smoke or possess marijuana. In spite of these laws, an estimated two million teens smoke pot casually or on a daily basis. In this short book, Aronoff addresses this issue in a straightforward, provocative way. A mental health counselor, Aronoff makes it clear from the very beginning that his purpose is neither to promote nor discourage marijuana use. Instead, he offers tips to teens on how to be a "smart" consumer and guidelines for making informed decisions regarding relationships, goals, and personal habits. Very short chapters cover topics such as what getting high feels like and health issues. Each includes a question at the end for readers to ponder ("Do you think pot is addictive? Why?"; "What are some of your secrets and lies?"), and they can record their thoughts on the book's website. However, the average-quality illustrations interspersed throughout won't engage readers. While the writing is lively, this title has limited use as an informational text in a school library collection, as it covers too many subjects in too brief a span. Instead, it's best suited for counseling sessions or small group discussions.—Jeanette Lambert, Nashville-Davidson County Schools, TN