The Botany Of Desire Part 8

CHAPTER 3: MARIJUANA.

This chapter benefited enormously from interviews, correspondence, and time spent with a handful of people knowledgeable about the science, culture, and politics of cannabis: Allen St. Pierre at NORML; Peter Gorman and Kyle Kushman at High Times High Times magazine; David Lenson at the University of Ma.s.sachusetts; Bryan R., a breeder and grower living in Amsterdam; Valerie and Mike Corral, who grow and give away medical marijuana in Santa Cruz, California; Lester Grinspoon at the Harvard Medical School; John P. Morgan, a pharmacologist at the City University of New York Medical School; Graham Boyd at the ACLU Drug Policy Litigation Project; Rick Musty and his colleagues at the International Cannabis Research Society; Ethan Nadelman and his colleagues at the Lindesmith Center; Allyn Howlett at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine; and Raphael Mechoulam at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. magazine; David Lenson at the University of Ma.s.sachusetts; Bryan R., a breeder and grower living in Amsterdam; Valerie and Mike Corral, who grow and give away medical marijuana in Santa Cruz, California; Lester Grinspoon at the Harvard Medical School; John P. Morgan, a pharmacologist at the City University of New York Medical School; Graham Boyd at the ACLU Drug Policy Litigation Project; Rick Musty and his colleagues at the International Cannabis Research Society; Ethan Nadelman and his colleagues at the Lindesmith Center; Allyn Howlett at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine; and Raphael Mechoulam at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

These books and articles proved especially enlightening: Baum, Dan. Baum, Dan. Smoke and Mirrors: The War on Drugs and the Politics of Failure Smoke and Mirrors: The War on Drugs and the Politics of Failure (Boston: Little, Brown, 1996). (Boston: Little, Brown, 1996). Clarke, Robert Connell. Clarke, Robert Connell. Hashish! Hashish! (Los Angeles: Red Eye Press, 1998). (Los Angeles: Red Eye Press, 1998). ---. ---. Marijuana Botany Marijuana Botany (Berkeley, Calif.: Ronin Publishing, 1981). (Berkeley, Calif.: Ronin Publishing, 1981). De Quincey, Thomas. De Quincey, Thomas. Confessions of an English Opium-Eater Confessions of an English Opium-Eater (New York: Dover, 1995; first published 1822). (New York: Dover, 1995; first published 1822). Escohotado, Antonio. Escohotado, Antonio. A Brief History of Drugs, A Brief History of Drugs, trans. by Kenneth A. Symington (Rochester, Vt.: Park Street Press, 1999). trans. by Kenneth A. Symington (Rochester, Vt.: Park Street Press, 1999). Fisher, Philip. Fisher, Philip. Wonder, the Rainbow and the Aesthetics of Rare Experience Wonder, the Rainbow and the Aesthetics of Rare Experience (Cambridge, Ma.s.s.: Harvard University Press, 1998). (Cambridge, Ma.s.s.: Harvard University Press, 1998). Ginsberg, Allen. "The Great Marijuana Hoax: First Manifesto to End the Bringdown," in Ginsberg, Allen. "The Great Marijuana Hoax: First Manifesto to End the Bringdown," in The Atlantic Monthly, The Atlantic Monthly, November 1966, pp. 104, 10712. November 1966, pp. 104, 10712. Grinspoon, Lester, M.D. Grinspoon, Lester, M.D. Marihuana Reconsidered Marihuana Reconsidered (Oakland, Calif.: Quick American Archives, 1999; first published 1971). Carl Sagan's anonymous marijuana "trip report," attributed to Mr. X, appears here beginning on p. 109. You can also read it-and Allen Ginsberg's article cited above-at Grinspoon's website: www.marijuana-uses.com. (Oakland, Calif.: Quick American Archives, 1999; first published 1971). Carl Sagan's anonymous marijuana "trip report," attributed to Mr. X, appears here beginning on p. 109. You can also read it-and Allen Ginsberg's article cited above-at Grinspoon's website: www.marijuana-uses.com.* Huxley, Aldous. Huxley, Aldous. The Doors of Perception and Heaven and h.e.l.l The Doors of Perception and Heaven and h.e.l.l (New York: Perennial Library, 1990; first published 1953). (New York: Perennial Library, 1990; first published 1953). Inst.i.tute of Medicine. Inst.i.tute of Medicine. Marijuana and Medicine: a.s.sessing the Science Base Marijuana and Medicine: a.s.sessing the Science Base (Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1999). Clear, accessible explanation of how cannabinoids work in the brain. (Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1999). Clear, accessible explanation of how cannabinoids work in the brain. Lenson, David. Lenson, David. On Drugs On Drugs (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1995). Little known, but one of the most thoughtful and original books ever written on the drug experience. The quote about the romantic imagination is from "The High Imagination," Lenson's Hess lecture at the University of Virginia, April 29, 1999. (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1995). Little known, but one of the most thoughtful and original books ever written on the drug experience. The quote about the romantic imagination is from "The High Imagination," Lenson's Hess lecture at the University of Virginia, April 29, 1999. McKenna, Terence. McKenna, Terence. Food of the G.o.ds: The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge Food of the G.o.ds: The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge (New York: Bantam Books, 1992). (New York: Bantam Books, 1992). Merlin, Mark David. Merlin, Mark David. Man and Marijuana: Some Aspects of Their Ancient Relationship Man and Marijuana: Some Aspects of Their Ancient Relationship (Rutherford, N.J.: Fairleigh d.i.c.kinson University Press, 1972). (Rutherford, N.J.: Fairleigh d.i.c.kinson University Press, 1972). Musty, Richard E., et al., ed. "International Symposium on Cannabis and the Cannabinoids," Musty, Richard E., et al., ed. "International Symposium on Cannabis and the Cannabinoids," Life Sciences, Life Sciences, vol. 56, nos. 2324, 1995. See also the ICRS website: www.cannabinoidsociety.org. vol. 56, nos. 2324, 1995. See also the ICRS website: www.cannabinoidsociety.org. Nietzsche, Friedrich. "On the Uses and Disadvantages of History for Life," in Nietzsche, Friedrich. "On the Uses and Disadvantages of History for Life," in Untimely Meditation, Untimely Meditation, ed. by Daniel Breazeale (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1997). ed. by Daniel Breazeale (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1997). Pinker, Steven. Pinker, Steven. How the Mind Works, How the Mind Works, op. cit. op. cit. Plant, Sadie. Plant, Sadie. Writing on Drugs Writing on Drugs (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2000). (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2000). Schivelbusch, Wolfgang. Schivelbusch, Wolfgang. Tastes of Paradise: A Social History of Spices, Stimulants, and Intoxicants, Tastes of Paradise: A Social History of Spices, Stimulants, and Intoxicants, trans. by David Jacobson (New York: Vintage Books, 1992). trans. by David Jacobson (New York: Vintage Books, 1992). Schultes, Richard E. "Man and Marijuana," Schultes, Richard E. "Man and Marijuana," Natural History, Natural History, vol. 82, no. 7, 1973, pp. 5863, 8082. vol. 82, no. 7, 1973, pp. 5863, 8082. Siegel, Ronald K. Siegel, Ronald K. Intoxication: Life in Pursuit of Artificial Paradise Intoxication: Life in Pursuit of Artificial Paradise (New York: Dutton, 1989). (New York: Dutton, 1989). Szasz, Thomas. Szasz, Thomas. Ceremonial Chemistry: The Ritual Persecution of Drugs, Addicts, and Pushers Ceremonial Chemistry: The Ritual Persecution of Drugs, Addicts, and Pushers (London: Routledge, 1975). (London: Routledge, 1975). Wa.s.son, E. Gordon, et al. Wa.s.son, E. Gordon, et al. Persephone's Quest: Entheogens and the Origins of Religion Persephone's Quest: Entheogens and the Origins of Religion (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1986). A reasonable and serious work on what is still a highly speculative field of inquiry. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1986). A reasonable and serious work on what is still a highly speculative field of inquiry. Weil, Andrew. Weil, Andrew. The Natural Mind: An Investigation of Drugs and the Higher Consciousness The Natural Mind: An Investigation of Drugs and the Higher Consciousness (New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1986; first published 1972). A quarter century after it first appeared, this remains one of the sanest books on drugs. (New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1986; first published 1972). A quarter century after it first appeared, this remains one of the sanest books on drugs. Zimmer, Lynn, and John P. Morgan. Zimmer, Lynn, and John P. Morgan. Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts: A Review of the Scientific Evidence Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts: A Review of the Scientific Evidence (New York: The Lindesmith Center, 1997). (New York: The Lindesmith Center, 1997).

CHAPTER 4: THE POTATO.

This chapter had its origins in an article on Monsanto and genetically modified food I wrote for The New York Times Magazine The New York Times Magazine ("Playing G.o.d in the Garden," October 25, 1998, pp. 4450, 51, 6263, 82, 9293). While I was researching that article, Monsanto was remarkably open and generous, giving me access to its scientists, executives, laboratories, customers-and seed potatoes. My education in the science and politics of genetic engineering also owes a great deal to Margaret Mellon at the Union of Concerned Scientists; Andrew Kimbrell at the Center for Technology a.s.sessment; Rebecca Goldberg at the Environmental Defense Fund; Betsy Lydon at Mothers & Others; Hope Shand and her colleagues at RAFI; and Steve Talbott's excellent website on technology and society, www.netfuture.org. I also received an invaluable education from the farmers who took the time to talk to me and show me around: Mike Heath, Nathan Jones, Woody Deryckx, Danny Forsyth, Steve Young, and Fred Kirschenmann. ("Playing G.o.d in the Garden," October 25, 1998, pp. 4450, 51, 6263, 82, 9293). While I was researching that article, Monsanto was remarkably open and generous, giving me access to its scientists, executives, laboratories, customers-and seed potatoes. My education in the science and politics of genetic engineering also owes a great deal to Margaret Mellon at the Union of Concerned Scientists; Andrew Kimbrell at the Center for Technology a.s.sessment; Rebecca Goldberg at the Environmental Defense Fund; Betsy Lydon at Mothers & Others; Hope Shand and her colleagues at RAFI; and Steve Talbott's excellent website on technology and society, www.netfuture.org. I also received an invaluable education from the farmers who took the time to talk to me and show me around: Mike Heath, Nathan Jones, Woody Deryckx, Danny Forsyth, Steve Young, and Fred Kirschenmann.

On the botany and social history of the potato, as well as on agriculture generally, I found these books especially helpful: Anderson, Edgar. Anderson, Edgar. Plants, Man and Life, Plants, Man and Life, op. cit. op. cit. Berry, Wendell. Berry, Wendell. The Gift of Good Land The Gift of Good Land (San Francisco: North Point Press, 1981). Still the wisest voice on the connections between agriculture and everything else. (San Francisco: North Point Press, 1981). Still the wisest voice on the connections between agriculture and everything else. ---. ---. Life Is a Miracle: An Essay Against Modern Superst.i.tion Life Is a Miracle: An Essay Against Modern Superst.i.tion (Washington, D.C.: Counterpoint, 2000). (Washington, D.C.: Counterpoint, 2000). ---. ---. The Unsettling of America: Culture & Agriculture The Unsettling of America: Culture & Agriculture (San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1977). (San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1977). Diamond, Jared. Diamond, Jared. Guns, Germs, and Steel, Guns, Germs, and Steel, op. cit. op. cit. Fowler, Cary, and Pat Mooney. Fowler, Cary, and Pat Mooney. Shattering: Food, Politics, and the Loss of Genetic Diversity Shattering: Food, Politics, and the Loss of Genetic Diversity (Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1996). (Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1996). Gallagher, Catherine, and Stephen Greenblatt. Gallagher, Catherine, and Stephen Greenblatt. Practicing New Historicism Practicing New Historicism (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000). See especially Chapter 4, "The Potato in the Materialist Imagination," written by Gallagher. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000). See especially Chapter 4, "The Potato in the Materialist Imagination," written by Gallagher. Harland, Jack R. Harland, Jack R. Crops and Man Crops and Man (Madison, Wis.: American Society of Agronomy, 1992). (Madison, Wis.: American Society of Agronomy, 1992). Hobhouse, Henry. Hobhouse, Henry. Seeds of Changes: Five Plants That Changed Mankind Seeds of Changes: Five Plants That Changed Mankind (London: Harper & Row, 1986). (London: Harper & Row, 1986). Holden, John, et al. Holden, John, et al. Genes, Crops, and the Environment Genes, Crops, and the Environment (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1993). (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1993). Howard, Sir Albert. Howard, Sir Albert. An Agricultural Testament An Agricultural Testament (London: Oxford University Press, 1940). (London: Oxford University Press, 1940). Lewontin, Richard. Lewontin, Richard. Biology as Ideology: The Doctrine of DNA Biology as Ideology: The Doctrine of DNA (New York: Harper Perennial, 1991). A skeptical voice on genetic determinism, the orthodoxy of our time. (New York: Harper Perennial, 1991). A skeptical voice on genetic determinism, the orthodoxy of our time. ---. ---. The Triple Helix: Gene, Organism, and Environment The Triple Helix: Gene, Organism, and Environment (Cambridge, Ma.s.s.: Harvard University Press, 2000). (Cambridge, Ma.s.s.: Harvard University Press, 2000). Salaman, Redcliffe. Salaman, Redcliffe. The History and Social Influence of the Potato The History and Social Influence of the Potato (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1985; first published 1949). Everything you wanted to know, and then some. (Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1985; first published 1949). Everything you wanted to know, and then some. Scott, James C. Scott, James C. Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1998). This fascinating multidisciplinary study of government, architecture, and agriculture is indispensable on the subject of monoculture, which Scott puts into the context of modernism. (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1998). This fascinating multidisciplinary study of government, architecture, and agriculture is indispensable on the subject of monoculture, which Scott puts into the context of modernism. Shiva, Vandana. Shiva, Vandana. Biopiracy: The Plunder of Nature and Knowledge Biopiracy: The Plunder of Nature and Knowledge (Boston: South End Press, 1997). (Boston: South End Press, 1997). ---. ---. Stolen Harvest: The Hijacking of the Global Food Supply Stolen Harvest: The Hijacking of the Global Food Supply (Boston: South End Press, 2000). (Boston: South End Press, 2000). Tilman, David. "The Greening of the Green Revolution," Tilman, David. "The Greening of the Green Revolution," Nature, Nature, November 19, 1998, pp. 21112. November 19, 1998, pp. 21112. Van der Ploeg, Jan Douwe. "Potatoes and Knowledge," in Van der Ploeg, Jan Douwe. "Potatoes and Knowledge," in An Anthropological Critique of Development, An Anthropological Critique of Development, ed. by Mark Hobart (London: Routledge, 1993). ed. by Mark Hobart (London: Routledge, 1993). Viola, Herman J., and Carolyn Margolis, eds Viola, Herman J., and Carolyn Margolis, eds. Seeds of Change: Five Hundred Years Since Columbus (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Instut.i.tion Press, 1991). See especially the contributions by Alfred Crosby, William F. McNeill, and Sidney W. Mintz. (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Instut.i.tion Press, 1991). See especially the contributions by Alfred Crosby, William F. McNeill, and Sidney W. Mintz. Weatherford, Jack. Weatherford, Jack. Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World (New York: Crown Publishers, 1988). (New York: Crown Publishers, 1988). Wilson, E. O. Wilson, E. O. The Diversity of Life, The Diversity of Life, op. cit. op. cit. Zuckerman, Larry. Zuckerman, Larry. The Potato: How the Humble Spud Rescued the Western World The Potato: How the Humble Spud Rescued the Western World (Boston: Faber & Faber, 1998). (Boston: Faber & Faber, 1998).

INDEX.

Afghanistan, cannabis in Afghanistan, cannabis in Africa: Africa: cannabis use in cannabis use in floriculture in floriculture in agriculture: agriculture: aesthetics of aesthetics of as effort to control nature as effort to control nature industrial industrial organic organic origins of origins of see also see also apples; biotechnology; cannabis; gardens; genetic engineering; monoculture; plants; potatoes; wheat apples; biotechnology; cannabis; gardens; genetic engineering; monoculture; plants; potatoes; wheat agrobacteria agrobacteria Ahmed III, Sultan Ahmed III, Sultan Albemarle Pippin Albemarle Pippin alchemy: alchemy: and medieval gardens and medieval gardens plant chemistry as plant chemistry as and tulip breaks and tulip breaks alcohol alcohol see also see also intoxication; temperance movement; wine intoxication; temperance movement; wine Allegheny County (Pennsylvania) Allegheny County (Pennsylvania) Alma-Ata (Kazakhstan) Alma-Ata (Kazakhstan) Amanita muscaria Amanita muscaria Amsterdam (Netherlands): Amsterdam (Netherlands): cannabis culture in cannabis culture in tulip craze in tulip craze in anandamide anandamide see also see also cannabinoids; cannabis cannabinoids; cannabis Andes, and potato biodiversity Andes, and potato biodiversity see also see also Incas; Peru Incas; Peru "Anecdote of the Jar" (Stevens) "Anecdote of the Jar" (Stevens) angiosperms angiosperms animals animals coevolution with plants coevolution with plants domestication of domestication of and plant toxins and plant toxins see also see also insects insects Anslinger, Harry J. Anslinger, Harry J. ants ants aphids aphids Apollo, attributes of Apollo, attributes of apples: apples: American evolution of American evolution of cider-making from cider-making from coevolution of coevolution of domestication of domestication of and grafted trees and grafted trees heterozygosity of heterozygosity of and human desire for sweetness and human desire for sweetness hybridization of hybridization of modern commercial breeding of modern commercial breeding of public relations campaign for public relations campaign for religious image of religious image of seeds of seeds of varieties of varieties of Appleseed, Johnny: Appleseed, Johnny: see see Chapman, John Chapman, John Arnold, Matthew Arnold, Matthew art, as balance of order and abandon art, as balance of order and abandon see also see also Apollo; Dionysus Apollo; Dionysus Artificial Paradises Artificial Paradises (Baudelaire) (Baudelaire) artificial selection artificial selection see also see also coevolution; domestication coevolution; domestication Asclepias syriaca Asclepias syriaca a.s.sa.s.sins, story of a.s.sa.s.sins, story of Bacillus thuringiensis Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt): (Bt): in genetic engineering in genetic engineering insect resistance to insect resistance to as pesticide as pesticide Bailey, Liberty Hyde Bailey, Liberty Hyde Baldwin apple Baldwin apple Baudelaire, Charles Baudelaire, Charles beauty: beauty: and apple marketing and apple marketing correlation with health of correlation with health of as evolutionary strategy as evolutionary strategy human desire for human desire for principles of principles of see also see also tulips tulips Beecher, Henry Ward Beecher, Henry Ward bees: bees: American colonial importation of American colonial importation of coevolution of coevolution of color and shape perceptions of color and shape perceptions of and pollination and pollination beetles beetles see also see also Colorado potato beetle Colorado potato beetle Berry, Wendell Berry, Wendell Bill of Rights, erosion of Bill of Rights, erosion of biodiversity: biodiversity: of apples of apples as evolutionary safeguard as evolutionary safeguard of potatoes of potatoes as protection against disease as protection against disease of tulips of tulips biological pollution biological pollution biotechnology biotechnology see also see also genetic engineering; Monsanto corporation genetic engineering; Monsanto corporation "Bitter Smell of Tulips, The" (Herbert) "Bitter Smell of Tulips, The" (Herbert) Black Tulip, The Black Tulip, The (Dumas) (Dumas) Bloom, Harold Bloom, Harold Boethius Boethius Boone, Daniel Boone, Daniel bread, symbolic meaning of bread, symbolic meaning of Brillat-Savarin, Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, Anthelme Brilliant (Ohio) Brilliant (Ohio) Broom, Persis Broom, Persis Bt: see Bt: see Bacillus thuringiensis Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) (Bt) bubbles, speculative bubbles, speculative bulbs, introduction to Europe of bulbs, introduction to Europe of see also see also tulipomania; tulips tulipomania; tulips b.u.mblebees: b.u.mblebees: see see bees bees Busbecq, Ogier Ghislain de Busbecq, Ogier Ghislain de California, cannabis culture in California, cannabis culture in Campus Martius Museum (Marietta, Ohio) Campus Martius Museum (Marietta, Ohio) cannabinoids cannabinoids brain network for brain network for effects on short-term memory of effects on short-term memory of cannabis: cannabis: in Amsterdam in Amsterdam author's experience with author's experience with coevolution with people of coevolution with people of commercial value of commercial value of criminalization of criminalization of cultivation techniques for cultivation techniques for cultural roles of cultural roles of flowers of flowers of as forbidden plant as forbidden plant and human desire for intoxication and human desire for intoxication increased potency of increased potency of indica indica x xsativa hybridization hybridization psychoactive effects of psychoactive effects of seeds of seeds of uses of uses of see also see also hashish; hemp; sinsemilla, THC hashish; hemp; sinsemilla, THC capitalism, and opposition to drug use capitalism, and opposition to drug use Carter, Jimmy Carter, Jimmy Catherine the Great, empress of Russia Catherine the Great, empress of Russia catnip catnip Chapman, John (Johnny Appleseed): Chapman, John (Johnny Appleseed): as agent of apple biodiversity as agent of apple biodiversity on apple tree grafting on apple tree grafting character of character of as Dionysian figure as Dionysian figure as frontier nurseryman as frontier nurseryman Heritage Center proposed for Heritage Center proposed for impact on wilderness of impact on wilderness of medicinal plants brought by medicinal plants brought by mythologization of mythologization of pictorial images of pictorial images of religious beliefs of religious beliefs of Charge Against the Pagan and Turkish Tulip-Bulbs Charge Against the Pagan and Turkish Tulip-Bulbs chemicals, agricultural chemicals, agricultural see also see also fertilizers; fungicides; herbicides; pesticides fertilizers; fungicides; herbicides; pesticides China: China: cannabis in cannabis in invention of grafting in invention of grafting in peony breeding in peony breeding in roses roses chocolate, psychoactive effects of chocolate, psychoactive effects of Christianity Christianity and opposition to drug use and opposition to drug use and spirituality from plants and spirituality from plants symbolism of bread in symbolism of bread in and wine and wine cinchona tree cinchona tree Clarke, Robert Connell Clarke, Robert Connell Claviceps purpurea Claviceps purpurea Clusius, Carolus Clusius, Carolus Cobbett, William Cobbett, William cocaine cocaine coevolution coevolution see also see also apples; cannabis; domestication; potatoes; tulips apples; cannabis; domestication; potatoes; tulips Coleridge, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Samuel Taylor Colorado potato beetle Colorado potato beetle consciousness, altered states of: consciousness, altered states of: and cultural history and cultural history human desire for human desire for and plant toxins and plant toxins as removal of mental filters as removal of mental filters and spirituality and spirituality ways to achieve ways to achieve see also see also intoxication; transcendence intoxication; transcendence Constantinople (Turkey), tulips in Constantinople (Turkey), tulips in contrast, as beauty principle contrast, as beauty principle control, human desire for control, human desire for see also see also genetic engineering; monoculture; potatoes genetic engineering; monoculture; potatoes c.o.x's Orange Pippin c.o.x's Orange Pippin Cuisse de Nymphe Emue rose Cuisse de Nymphe Emue rose Culture of Flowers, The Culture of Flowers, The (Goody) (Goody) Darwin, Charles: Darwin, Charles: on angiosperms on angiosperms evolutionary theories of evolutionary theories of datura datura Dawkins, Richard Dawkins, Richard daylilies daylilies DDT DDT De Quincey, Thomas De Quincey, Thomas Debrecht, Glenda Debrecht, Glenda Defiance (Ohio) Defiance (Ohio) Delicious apples: Delicious apples: see see Golden Delicious; Red Delicious Golden Delicious; Red Delicious Demeter Demeter desires, human: desires, human: see see beauty; control; intoxication; sweetness beauty; control; intoxication; sweetness Devane, William Devane, William Dionysus, attributes of Dionysus, attributes of Disraeli, Benjamin Disraeli, Benjamin Djangaliev, Aimak Djangaliev, Aimak dogs, coevolution with humans of dogs, coevolution with humans of domestication: domestication: of the American frontier of the American frontier of apples of apples of cannabis of cannabis as cooperative process as cooperative process Greek G.o.d of Greek G.o.d of of plants of plants of potatoes of potatoes see also see also apples; artificial selection; cannabis; coevolution; genetic engineering; hybridization; potatoes; tulips apples; artificial selection; cannabis; coevolution; genetic engineering; hybridization; potatoes; tulips Donne, John Donne, John Doors of Perception, The Doors of Perception, The (Huxley) (Huxley) Downing, Andrew Jackson Downing, Andrew Jackson drugs: drugs: effects of effects of war on war on see also see also alcohol; cannabis; entheogens; hallucinogens; mescaline; opium; peyote alcohol; cannabis; entheogens; hallucinogens; mescaline; opium; peyote Dumas, Alexandre Dumas, Alexandre pere pere Dutch: Dutch: see see Holland Holland Eden, Garden of Eden, Garden of Eleusis, Mysteries of Eleusis, Mysteries of Eliot, George Eliot, George Embarra.s.sment of Riches, The Embarra.s.sment of Riches, The (Schama) (Schama) Emerson , Ralph Waldo Emerson , Ralph Waldo endorphins endorphins England: England: Gothic gardens in Gothic gardens in and Irish famine and Irish famine potato debate in potato debate in romantic poets in romantic poets in tulips in tulips in entheogens entheogens Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ergot ergot Eskimos, consciousness alteration among Eskimos, consciousness alteration among Euripides Euripides Europe: Europe: Black Death in Black Death in potato growing in ( potato growing in (see also France; Germany; Ireland; Russia) France; Germany; Ireland; Russia) evolution: evolution: see see artificial selection; coevolution; mutation; natural selection; s.e.xual selection artificial selection; coevolution; mutation; natural selection; s.e.xual selection Fall of the Great Garden-Wh.o.r.e, the Villain-G.o.ddess Flora, The Fall of the Great Garden-Wh.o.r.e, the Villain-G.o.ddess Flora, The famine: famine: see see potato famine potato famine farming: farming: see see agriculture agriculture fennel, stinking ("Johnnyweed") fennel, stinking ("Johnnyweed") fertilizers fertilizers Flora (G.o.ddess) Flora (G.o.ddess) Flora's Fool's Cap, or Scenes from the Remarkable Year 1637 when one Fool hatched another, the Idle Rich lost their wealth and the Wise lost their senses, Flora's Fool's Cap, or Scenes from the Remarkable Year 1637 when one Fool hatched another, the Idle Rich lost their wealth and the Wise lost their senses, floral attraction floral attraction flowers: flowers: adaptive traits of adaptive traits of canonical canonical coevolution of coevolution of G.o.ddess of G.o.ddess of and human desire for beauty and human desire for beauty indifference to indifference to practical uses for practical uses for symbolism of symbolism of see also see also angiosperms; bulbs; cannabis; gardens; plants; pollination; roses; tulips angiosperms; bulbs; cannabis; gardens; plants; pollination; roses; tulips flying ointments flying ointments Food and Drug Administration, U.S. (FDA) Food and Drug Administration, U.S. (FDA) forgetting, psychological importance of forgetting, psychological importance of Forsline, Phil Forsline, Phil Forsyth, Danny Forsyth, Danny Fort Wayne (Indiana) Fort Wayne (Indiana) France: France: potatoes in potatoes in romantic poets in romantic poets in roses in roses in tulips in tulips in Franklin, Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Frazer, James Frazer, James Frederick the Great Frederick the Great fruits: fruits: coevolutionary role of coevolutionary role of foraging for foraging for forbidden forbidden in gardens in gardens see also see also apples apples fungi: fungi: cultivated by ants cultivated by ants potato blight potato blight psychoactive psychoactive fungicides fungicides Galapagos Islands Galapagos Islands Gallagher, Catherine Gallagher, Catherine Garden of Eden Garden of Eden gardens: gardens: aesthetic appeal of aesthetic appeal of as conspicuous displays as conspicuous displays as ecosystems as ecosystems in England in England experimentation in experimentation in and human desire for control and human desire for control insects' roles in insects' roles in produce from produce from psychoactive plants in psychoactive plants in s.e.xual selection in s.e.xual selection in wildness within wildness within see also see also agriculture; cannabis; coevolution; flowers; plants; potatoes; tulips agriculture; cannabis; coevolution; flowers; plants; potatoes; tulips Garnet Chile potato Garnet Chile potato genetic engineering: genetic engineering: and organic farming and organic farming of plants of plants of seeds of seeds see also see also Monsanto corporation; NewLeaf potatoes; pollution, biological Monsanto corporation; NewLeaf potatoes; pollution, biological Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (GURT) Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (GURT) Geneva (New York): Geneva (New York): see see Plant Genetic Resources Unit Plant Genetic Resources Unit Gerard, John Gerard, John Germany, potatoes in Germany, potatoes in Gheel ende Root van Leyden tulip, price of Gheel ende Root van Leyden tulip, price of Ginsberg, Allen Ginsberg, Allen global warming global warming Golden Bough, The Golden Bough, The (Frazer) (Frazer) Golden Delicious: Golden Delicious: ancestors of ancestors of as commercial apple parent as commercial apple parent original tree original tree Goody, Jack Goody, Jack grafting, history of grafting, history of Grand Army Plaza (New York) Grand Army Plaza (New York) grapes grapes see also see also wine wine Great Apple Rush Great Apple Rush "greater fool" theory "greater fool" theory Greeks, ancient: Greeks, ancient: concept of true beauty concept of true beauty and fruit tree grafting and fruit tree grafting religious outlook of religious outlook of views on intoxicants views on intoxicants see also see also Apollo; Dionysus; Euripides; Herodotus; Plato; Plutarch Apollo; Dionysus; Euripides; Herodotus; Plato; Plutarch Grinspoon, Lester Grinspoon, Lester hallucinogens hallucinogens Harrison, Jane Harrison, Jane hashish hashish see also see also cannabis cannabis Hawkeye apple Hawkeye apple Heath, Mike Heath, Mike hemp hemp see also see also cannabis cannabis Herbert, Zbigniew Herbert, Zbigniew herbicides: herbicides: genetic resistance to genetic resistance to in potato farming in potato farming Herodotus Herodotus heterozygosity: heterozygosity: of apples of apples of tulips of tulips Hiatt, Jesse Hiatt, Jesse History and Social Influence of the Potato, The History and Social Influence of the Potato, The (Salaman) (Salaman) Hjelle, Dave Hjelle, Dave Holland: Holland: cannabis cultivation in cannabis cultivation in tulip cultivation in tulip cultivation in see also see also tulipomania tulipomania Hope, Bob Hope, Bob How the Mind Works How the Mind Works (Pinker) (Pinker) Howlett, Allyn Howlett, Allyn human desires: human desires: see see beauty; control; intoxication; sweetness beauty; control; intoxication; sweetness Huxley, Aldous Huxley, Aldous hybridization: hybridization: of apples of apples in gardens in gardens of potatoes of potatoes of tulips of tulips Idaho, potato farming in Idaho, potato farming in imagination imagination Coleridgean idea of Coleridgean idea of natural history of human natural history of human Imperial Botanic Garden (Vienna) Imperial Botanic Garden (Vienna) Incas, potato cultivation by Incas, potato cultivation by Indiana, John Chapman in Indiana, John Chapman in Indians, American: Indians, American: see see Native Americans Native Americans Indo-Europeans Indo-Europeans Innocent VIII, Pope Innocent VIII, Pope insecticides insecticides see also Bacillus thuringiensis see also Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); DDT; pesticides (Bt); DDT; pesticides insects: insects: cannabinoid receptors in cannabinoid receptors in as pest controls as pest controls resistance to Bt in resistance to Bt in role in pollination ( role in pollination (see also aphids; bees; Colorado potato beetle; pests) aphids; bees; Colorado potato beetle; pests) intellectual property, plant genes as intellectual property, plant genes as intoxication: intoxication: in animals in animals cla.s.sical Greek views on cla.s.sical Greek views on effects of effects of human desire for human desire for neuroscience of neuroscience of and plant chemistry and plant chemistry see also see also alcohol; cannabis; drugs; entheogens alcohol; cannabis; drugs; entheogens Ireland: Ireland: famine in famine in potato growing in potato growing in nineteenth-century peasant life in nineteenth-century peasant life in Johnny Appleseed: Johnny Appleseed: see see Chapman, John Chapman, John Johnnyweed (stinking fennel) Johnnyweed (stinking fennel) Jonagold apple Jonagold apple Jonathan apple Jonathan apple Jones, William Ellery Jones, William Ellery Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Keats, John Keats, John Ladurie, Le Roy Ladurie, Le Roy Lady apple Lady apple lale devri lale devri (Tulip Era) (Tulip Era) laudanum laudanum Lenson, David Lenson, David Louis XVI, king of France Louis XVI, king of France Ludlow, Fitz Hugh Ludlow, Fitz Hugh Lumper potato Lumper potato Macintosh apple Macintosh apple Malthus, Thomas Robert Malthus, Thomas Robert Malus domestica Malus domestica see also see also apples apples Malus sieversii Malus sieversii Mansfield (Ohio) Mansfield (Ohio) Marie Antoinette Marie Antoinette Marietta (Ohio) Marietta (Ohio) Marihuana Reconsidered Marihuana Reconsidered (Grinspoon) (Grinspoon) marijuana: marijuana: see see cannabis cannabis Marx, Karl Marx, Karl Ma.s.sachusetts Horticultural Society Ma.s.sachusetts Horticultural Society McDonald's: McDonald's: influence on potato farmers of influence on potato farmers of use of NewLeaf potatoes by use of NewLeaf potatoes by Mechoulam, Raphael Mechoulam, Raphael Mellon, Margaret Mellon, Margaret memes, and cultural evolution memes, and cultural evolution memory: memory: as defense against experience as defense against experience effects of cannabinoids on effects of cannabinoids on see also see also forgetting, psychological importance of forgetting, psychological importance of Mere Brune tulip Mere Brune tulip mescaline mescaline see also see also peyote peyote Mexico, as cannabis source Mexico, as cannabis source milkweed milkweed Mohican River Mohican River Monitor (pesticide) Monitor (pesticide) monoculture monoculture Monsanto corporation Monsanto corporation Monsanto corporation ( Monsanto corporation (cont'd): see also see also genetic engineering; NewLeaf potatoes genetic engineering; NewLeaf potatoes Morgan, John Morgan, John Mount Vernon (Ohio) Mount Vernon (Ohio) Muskingum River Muskingum River mutation mutation Mysteries of Eleusis Mysteries of Eleusis Myzus persicae Myzus persicae Nation, Carry Nation, Carry Native Americans: Native Americans: and hallucinogens and hallucinogens maple syrup use by maple syrup use by in Northwest Territory in Northwest Territory see also see also Eskimos; Incas Eskimos; Incas natural selection natural selection see also see also s.e.xual selection s.e.xual selection nature: nature: duality of duality of human relationship to human relationship to in Judeo-Christian tradition in Judeo-Christian tradition Nepeta cataria Nepeta cataria net necrosis net necrosis Netherlands: Netherlands: see see Amsterdam; Holland Amsterdam; Holland NewLeaf potato: NewLeaf potato: in author's garden in author's garden commercial farming of commercial farming of as genetically modified crop as genetically modified crop safety questions about safety questions about Newtown Pippin Newtown Pippin Nietzsche, Friedrich Nietzsche, Friedrich Northwest Territory Northwest Territory see also see also Indiana; Ohio Indiana; Ohio nutritional value, as criterion for selection nutritional value, as criterion for selection oak trees, resistance to domestication of oak trees, resistance to domestication of Ohio River Ohio River Ohio (state): Ohio (state): Chapman in Chapman in as nineteenth-century American frontier as nineteenth-century American frontier see also see also Brilliant (Ohio); Defiance (Ohio); Mansfield (Ohio); Marietta (Ohio); Mount Vernon (Ohio); Northwest Territory Brilliant (Ohio); Defiance (Ohio); Mansfield (Ohio); Marietta (Ohio); Mount Vernon (Ohio); Northwest Territory "Old Man of the Mountain" "Old Man of the Mountain" On Drugs On Drugs (Lenson) (Lenson) opiates: opiates: cultural roles of cultural roles of and endorphine system and endorphine system opium: opium: effects of effects of as medicine as medicine poppies poppies orchids: orchids: breeding of breeding of Orphyrus or prost.i.tute Orphyrus or prost.i.tute organic farming organic farming Origin of Species, The Origin of Species, The (Darwin) (Darwin) Papaver somniferum Papaver somniferum Paracelsus Paracelsus paraquat paraquat patents, for plant genes patents, for plant genes pattern, as beauty principle pattern, as beauty principle Pauw, Adriaen Pauw, Adriaen Pavord, Anna Pavord, Anna Pennsylvania, western Pennsylvania, western peonies: peonies: beauty of beauty of breeding of breeding of Dionysian quality of Dionysian quality of pollination of pollination of symbolism of symbolism of Peru: Peru: potatoes from potatoes from quinine discovery in quinine discovery in see also see also Andes; Incas Andes; Incas pesticides pesticides see also Bacillus thuringiensis see also Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); DDT; insecticides (Bt); DDT; insecticides pests: pests: coevolution with plants of coevolution with plants of genetic resistance to genetic resistance to human efforts to control human efforts to control and plant toxins and plant toxins see also see also aphids; Colorado potato beetle; insects; monoculture; pesticides; potato blight aphids; Colorado potato beetle; insects; monoculture; pesticides; potato blight peyote peyote photosynthesis photosynthesis Phytophthora infestans Phytophthora infestans Pinker, Steven Pinker, Steven pitcher plants pitcher plants Pizarro, Francisco Pizarro, Francisco Plant, Sadie Plant, Sadie Plant Genetic Resources Unit (Geneva, N.Y.) Plant Genetic Resources Unit (Geneva, N.Y.) plants: plants: biochemistry in biochemistry in domestication of domestication of evolution of evolution of forbidden forbidden and human spirituality and human spirituality as pharmaceuticals as pharmaceuticals powers of attraction powers of attraction propagation of propagation of psychoactive powers of psychoactive powers of toxins in toxins in see also see also angiosperms; apples; cannabis; coevolution; flowers; genetic engineering; grafting; pests; photosynthesis; pollination; potatoes; tulips; vegetables angiosperms; apples; cannabis; coevolution; flowers; genetic engineering; grafting; pests; photosynthesis; pollination; potatoes; tulips; vegetables Plato Plato pleasure, human desire for: pleasure, human desire for: see see beauty; control; intoxication; sweetness beauty; control; intoxication; sweetness Pliny Pliny Plutarch Plutarch poisons: poisons: see see toxins toxins Pollan, Isaac Pollan, Isaac pollination: pollination: of cannabis of cannabis and coevolution and coevolution and genetically altered plants and genetically altered plants insects' roles in insects' roles in of peonies of peonies pollution, biological pollution, biological Polo, Marco Polo, Marco poppies, opium poppies, opium pot: pot: see see cannabis cannabis potato famine potato famine "Potato in the Materialist Imagination, The" (Gallagher) "Potato in the Materialist Imagination, The" (Gallagher) potatoes: potatoes: biodiversity of biodiversity of coevolution with people of coevolution with people of diseases of diseases of English debate over English debate over in Europe in Europe flowers of flowers of genetic engineering of genetic engineering of harvesting of harvesting of and human desire for control and human desire for control in Ireland in Ireland nutritional value of nutritional value of see also see also Garnet Chile; Lumper; NewLeaf; Russet Burbank; Yukon Gold Garnet Chile; Lumper; NewLeaf; Russet Burbank; Yukon Gold Potter, Beatrix Potter, Beatrix Price, Robert Price, Robert Prohibition Prohibition Putnam, Rufus Putnam, Rufus Queen of Night tulip Queen of Night tulip quinine quinine Raleigh, Walter Raleigh, Walter Reagan administration Reagan administration Red Delicious: Red Delicious: as commercial apple parent as commercial apple parent flavor of flavor of original tree original tree "reefer madness" "reefer madness" religions, and psychoactive plants religions, and psychoactive plants Rembrandt tulips Rembrandt tulips reptiles reptiles Ricardo, David Ricardo, David Rig Veda Rig Veda Romans, apple cultivation by Romans, apple cultivation by romanticism, and opium use romanticism, and opium use Rosa chinensis Rosa chinensis roses: roses: breeding of breeding of Dionysian quality of Dionysian quality of pollination of pollination of symbolism of symbolism of Roundup Ready gene Roundup Ready gene Russet Burbank potato Russet Burbank potato Russia, potatoes in Russia, potatoes in Sabbah, Ha.s.san ibn al Sabbah, Ha.s.san ibn al sacraments, plants as sacraments, plants as Sagan, Carl Sagan, Carl Salaman, Redcliffe Salaman, Redcliffe Scarry, Elaine Scarry, Elaine Schama, Simon Schama, Simon Schivelbusch, Wolfgang Schivelbusch, Wolfgang Schumpeter, Joseph Schumpeter, Joseph Scythians Scythians Sea of Green Sea of Green seeds: seeds: of apples of apples genetic engineering of genetic engineering of sowing of sowing of of tulips of tulips selection: selection: see see artificial selection; natural selection; s.e.xual selection artificial selection; natural selection; s.e.xual selection Selfish Gene, The Selfish Gene, The (Dawkins) (Dawkins) Semper Augustus tulip Semper Augustus tulip senses: senses: effects of chemical compounds on effects of chemical compounds on intensification of intensification of see also see also intoxication; transcendence intoxication; transcendence s.e.xual selection s.e.xual selection Siegel, Ronald K. Siegel, Ronald K. sinsemilla sinsemilla see also see also cannabis cannabis Smith, Adam Smith, Adam soil, fertility of soil, fertility of Solanum tuberosum Solanum tuberosum see also see also potatoes potatoes Soma (religious cult) Soma (religious cult) South America: South America: hallucinogens in hallucinogens in potatoes in ( potatoes in (see also Peru) Peru) species, genetic integrity of species, genetic integrity of Stalin, Joseph Stalin, Joseph Starck, Dave Starck, Dave Stark, C. M. Stark, C. M. Stark, Paul Stark, Paul Stevens, Wallace Stevens, Wallace "substantial equivalence" notion "substantial equivalence" notion sugar: sugar: effect on children of effect on children of availability of in eighteenth and nineteenth centuries availability of in eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Suleyman the Magnificent Suleyman the Magnificent "suspension of disbelief" "suspension of disbelief" Swedenborgianism Swedenborgianism sweetness: sweetness: as apple marketing quality as apple marketing quality as criterion for selection as criterion for selection historical meanings of historical meanings of human desire for human desire for of intoxication of intoxication role in plant/human coevolution role in plant/human coevolution Swift, Jonathan Swift, Jonathan Switsers tulip, price of Switsers tulip, price of symmetry, as criterion for selection symmetry, as criterion for selection see also see also pattern pattern Tancred Tancred (Disraeli) (Disraeli) taste, as clue to toxicity taste, as clue to toxicity temperance movement temperance movement Terminator (genetic technology) Terminator (genetic technology) THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) Th.o.r.eau, Henry David Th.o.r.eau, Henry David toxins, in plants toxins, in plants see also Bacillus thuringiensis see also Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) (Bt) transcendence transcendence see also see also forgetting, consciousness; intoxication forgetting, consciousness; intoxication transcendentalism transcendentalism see also see also Emerson, Ralph Waldo; Th.o.r.eau, Henry David Emerson, Ralph Waldo; Th.o.r.eau, Henry David Triumph tulips Triumph tulips tulipomania: tulipomania: Dionysian qualities of Dionysian qualities of as financial speculation as financial speculation history of history of tulips: tulips: Apollonian qualities of Apollonian qualities of black-colored black-colored breeding of breeding of coevolution with people of coevolution with people of color "breaks" in color "breaks" in history of history of and human desire for beauty and human desire for beauty modern simplification of modern simplification of mutability of mutability of paintings of paintings of virus infections of virus infections of see also see also tulipomania tulipomania Turks, Ottoman Turks, Ottoman Turner, Frederick Turner, Frederick "Uses and Disadvantages of History for Life, The" (Nietzsche) "Uses and Disadvantages of History for Life, The" (Nietzsche) variation, as beauty principle variation, as beauty principle Vavilov, Nicolai Vavilov, Nicolai vegetables: vegetables: in contemporary gardens in contemporary gardens reproductive strategy of reproductive strategy of visual appeal of visual appeal of Versailles, windstorm damage at Versailles, windstorm damage at Wa.s.senaer, Nicolaes van Wa.s.senaer, Nicolaes van Weil, Andrew Weil, Andrew wheat: wheat: in Europe in Europe evolution of evolution of genetic engineering of genetic engineering of wildness: wildness: and Bt "Resistance Management Plan" and Bt "Resistance Management Plan" as Dionysian quality as Dionysian quality within gardens within gardens human impact on human impact on and preservation of biodiversity and preservation of biodiversity Wilson, E. O. Wilson, E. O. wine: wine: and Christianity and Christianity in cla.s.sical Greece in cla.s.sical Greece Protestant views on Protestant views on wijnkoopsgeld wijnkoopsgeld (wine money) (wine money) witchcraft witchcraft Women's Christian Temperance Union Women's Christian Temperance Union wonder, sense of wonder, sense of yaje vine yaje vine York Imperial apple York Imperial apple Young, Arthur Young, Arthur Young, Steve Young, Steve Yukon Gold potato Yukon Gold potato

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

MICHAEL POLLAN, a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, The New York Times Magazine, is the author of is the author of Second Nature Second Nature and and A Place of My Own, A Place of My Own, a a New York Times New York Times Notable Book of the Year in 1997. His writing has received numerous awards, including the QPB New Visions prize (for Notable Book of the Year in 1997. His writing has received numerous awards, including the QPB New Visions prize (for Second Nature Second Nature) and the first ReutersWorld Conservation Union Global Award for Excellence in Environmental Journalism. Pollan lives in Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut, with his wife, the painter Judith Belzer, and their son, Isaac.

*The Granny Smith, a relatively tart green apple discovered in Australia in 1868 (by a Mrs. Smith), is something of an anomaly, though its survival probably owes to its cooking qualities, color, and virtual indestructibility.

*Though many flowers, like the lilies, possess both male and female organs, they go to great lengths to avoid pollinating themselves. That would defeat the floral point, which is the mixing of genes that cross-pollination ensures. A flower can avoid self-pollination chemically (by making its ovule and pollen grain incompatible), architecturally (by arranging stamen and pistil in the flower so as to avoid contact), or temporally (by staggering the times when their stamens produce pollen and their pistils are receptive).

*Among birds, the species most susceptible to parasites are the ones with the most extravagant plumage-probably because these are the ones that most need to advertise their fitness.

*Whatever the case, the more perfect the symmetry, the healthier-and therefore sweeter-the flower.

*It might also be that, for some of the Calvinist Dutch, financial abandon offered a way to atone for what they felt was the shame of their wealth, the embarra.s.sment of their riches: they were trading their filthy lucre for the pristine beauty of a flower.

*More drug arrests are for crimes involving marijuana than any other drug: nearly 700,000 in 1998, 88 percent of them for possession. Marijuana cases account for most of the a.s.set forfeitures that law enforcement budgets have come to rely on. Marijuana is the primary focus of drug prevention efforts in the schools, drug testing in the workplace, and public service advertising about drugs.

What a dissenting Supreme Court justice in 1988 deplored as a new "drug exception to the Const.i.tution" has been substantially based on marijuana cases. For example, in Illinois v. Gates Illinois v. Gates (1983) the Supreme Court carved broad new exceptions to the Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches, as well as the Sixth Amendment right to confront one's accusers. The venerable principle of (1983) the Supreme Court carved broad new exceptions to the Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches, as well as the Sixth Amendment right to confront one's accusers. The venerable principle of posse comitatus, posse comitatus, which holds that the armed forces of the United States cannot be used to police U.S. territory, has been suspended during the war against marijuana, notably by President Reagan, who deployed troops to rout out growers in northern California. The First Amendment has suffered as well: magazines aimed at pot growers have been hara.s.sed and, in one case ( which holds that the armed forces of the United States cannot be used to police U.S. territory, has been suspended during the war against marijuana, notably by President Reagan, who deployed troops to rout out growers in northern California. The First Amendment has suffered as well: magazines aimed at pot growers have been hara.s.sed and, in one case (Sinsemilla Tips), raided and closed down. In 1998 the federal government threatened to revoke the license of California doctors who exercised their First Amendment right to talk to patients about the medical benefits of marijuana. Also that year, Congress ordered the District of Columbia not to count the votes of its citizens in a referendum on medical marijuana. Arguably, the war against cannabis has also eroded the Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial (since drastic mandatory minimum sentences force most marijuana defendants to accept plea bargains) as well as the presumption of innocence (since a.s.set forfeiture allows the government to seize a.s.sets without proving guilt).

*Remove the twenty million or so Americans who use marijuana, and we are left with a "drug abuse epidemic" involving roughly two million regular heroin and cocaine users-a public health problem, to be sure, but serious enough to justify spending $20 billion a year (or modifying the Bill of Rights)?

*The practice of smoking as we know it wouldn't come to Europe until Columbus brought it back from America, but the Scythians invented something like it around 700 B.C. B.C. According to Herodotus, they would put their heads into small tents designed to trap the fumes from cannabis buds placed on red-hot rocks-"until they rise up to dance and betake themselves to singing." According to Herodotus, they would put their heads into small tents designed to trap the fumes from cannabis buds placed on red-hot rocks-"until they rise up to dance and betake themselves to singing."

*Top-quality sinsemilla sells for upward of $500 an ounce, making cannabis America's leading cash crop.

*Marijuana's genetic revolution recalls an earlier horticultural watershed: the introduction of the China rose (R. chinensis) to Europe in 1789, an event that made it possible for the first time to breed roses that would flower more than once a season. This ultimately led to the development of the ever-blooming hybrid tea rose. For both the rose and marijuana, human mobility coupled with human desire-for a rose that would rebloom in August; for sinsemilla that would grow in the north-led to the reunification of two distinct evolutionary lines of a plant that had diverged thousands of years before. In both cases, the introduction of a set of plant genes found halfway around the world created undreamed-of new possibilities.

*Tobacco smoking and coffee drinking were taboo in the West before the Industrial Revolution. The German historian Wolfgang Schivelbusch suggests that the two drugs became socially acceptable because they aided in industrialization's "reorientation of the human organism to the primacy of mental labor."

*Judging from their descriptions of its effects, the Greeks probably fortified their wine with various psychoactive herbs; there's reason to think they also made religious use of ergot and Amanita muscaria. Amanita muscaria.

*Sadie Plant, another literary critic, has argued that Coleridge's notion of the "suspension of disbelief" can also be traced to his use of opium.

*"There is a myth about such highs," Sagan wrote; "the user has an illusion of great insight, but it does not survive scrutiny in the morning. I am convinced that this is an error, and that the devastating insights achieved while high are real insights; the main problem is putting these insights in a form acceptable to the quite different self that we are when we're down the next day.... If I find in the morning a message from myself the night before informing me that there is a world around us which we barely sense, or that we can become one with the universe, or even that certain politicians are desperately frightened men, I may tend to disbelieve; but when I'm high I know about this disbelief. And so I have a tape in which I exhort myself to take such remarks seriously. I say, 'Listen closely, you sonofab.i.t.c.h of the morning! This stuff is real!' " Sagan's essay, attributed to "Mr. X," appears in Marihuana Reconsidered, Marihuana Reconsidered, by Lester Grinspoon. After Sagan's death in 1996, Grinspoon revealed Mr. X's ident.i.ty. by Lester Grinspoon. After Sagan's death in 1996, Grinspoon revealed Mr. X's ident.i.ty.

*Mechoulam thinks we'll eventually find a neurotransmitter that does for remembering what the cannabinoids do for forgetting, and that the push-and-pull interaction of these two chemicals together determines what is filed in memory and what is thrown out.

*Huxley suggests that the reason there aren't nearly as many mystics and visionaries walking around today, as compared to the Middle Ages, is the improvement in nutrition. Vitamin deficiencies wreak havoc on brain function and probably explain a large portion of visionary experiences in the past.

*Most recently, as the medical value of marijuana has been rediscovered, medicine has been searching for ways to "pharmaceuticalize" the plant-find a way to harness its easily accessible benefits in a patch or inhaler that doctors can prescribe, corporations patent, and governments regulate. Whenever possible, Paracelsus's lab-coated descendants have synthesized the active ingredients in plant drugs, allowing medicine to dispense with the plant itself-and any reminders of its pagan past.

*David Lenson draws a useful distinction between drugs of desire (cocaine, for example) and drugs of pleasure, such as cannabis. "Cocaine promises the greatest pleasure ever known in just a minute more ... But that future never comes." In this respect the cocaine experience is "a savage mimicry of consumer consciousness." With cannabis or the psychedelics, on the other hand, "pleasure can come from natural beauty, domestic tasks, friends and relatives, conversation, or any number of objects that do not need to be purchased."

*In fact, "intellectual property" has been defined under recent trade agreements in such a way as to specifically exclude any innovations that are not the private, marketable property of an individual or corporation. Thus a corporation's new potato qualifies as intellectual property, but not a tribe's.

*What the emergence of Bt resistance might mean for the environment is harder to say. We have lots of experience with pests developing resistance to man-made pesticides, but what will happen if one of nature's own "pest controls" loses its effectiveness?

*Before Heath's operation can be compared to a conventional farm, you have to factor in the additional labor (many smaller crops mean more work; organic fields must also be cultivated for weeds) and time-the typical organic rotation calls for potatoes every fifth year, rather than every third as on a conventional farm. Even so, Heath gets almost twice the price for his spuds: $9.00 a bag from an organic processor that ships frozen french fries to j.a.pan.

*Recently, McDonald's and several other large food companies, responding to growing public unease about genetically modified food, have stopped using genetically modified crops in their products.

*Worldwide, it's estimated that some 1.4 billion people depend on saved seed.

*I say "such as the Terminator" because, after an international barrage of criticism, Monsanto has forsworn the technology. However, it has not forsworn a group of related technologies that achieve the same end: Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (GURT), which make it possible to turn genetic traits on and off by applying certain proprietary chemicals to genetically modified plants in the field. So even if the plant in question still produces viable seed, those seeds will produce worthless plants-plants with their disease or herbicide resistance turned off-unless the farmer buys the chemical activator.

*In fact, internal doc.u.ments that have come to light as part of a consumer suit against the FDA reveal that several of the agency's own scientists also reject the notion of "substantial equivalence."

*All URLs cited were accurate as of November 14, 2000.

ALSO BY MICHAEL POLLAN.

Second Nature: A Gardener's Education

A Place of My Own: The Education of an Amateur Builder