 First edition | |
| Author | Rainer Schmidt |
|---|---|
| Country | Germany |
| Language | German |
| Publisher | Rowohlt Berlin |
Publication date | 2016 |
| Pages | 350 |
| ISBN | 978-3-87134-173-1 |
| OCLC | 958394277 |
| Preceded by | Cannabis GmbH |
Legal High is a 2016 novel by German author Rainer Schmidt; a social satire about a near-future Germany where legalization of cannabis is imminent.[1] The author is also a journalist (as of 2016[update] editor in chief of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung's cultural magazine Frankfurter Allgemeine Quarterly).[2] The novel's protagonist, der Dude, is based on a German cannabis grower with whom Schmidt became acquainted while doing journalistic research.[3]
Reception[edit]
Critics called the book a parody of political and economic strategies in Doppelmoral in den Hinterzimmern der Macht ("hypocrisy in the backrooms of power"), asking questions about the winners and losers of the "U-turn" on cannabis.[4] A German business magazine included it in a review of several books about cannabis legalization, noting its clever examination of the schwerwiegende Auswirkungen (serious impacts) on regions that have already implemented it, such as the U.S. state of Colorado.[5] The novel was referred to in a pro-legalization op-ed in Die Welt newspaper by German politician Cem Özdemir (at the time co-chair of the Alliance 90/The Greens party).[6]
See also[edit]
- German cannabis control bill, 2024 national legalization
- List of books about cannabis
References[edit]
- ^ ""Legal High" von Rainer Schmidt: Deutschland im Rausch" ["Legal High" by Rainer Schmidt: Germany in smoke], Official website (in German), Deutsche Presse-Agentur, February 14, 2017 – via T-Online
- ^ André Gärisch (June 23, 2016), FAZ launcht Magazin "Frankfurter Allgemeine Quarterly", DWDL.de
- ^
Marcus Weingärtner (March 18, 2015), ""Die Cannabis GmbH" von Rainer Schmidt: "In Berlin wird überall gekifft"" ["Cannabis GmbH by Rainer Schmidt: "In Berlin, it is smoked everywhere"], Berliner Zeitung,
I have met someone who inspired this main character...the husband of a friend. He introduced me to the grass growing scene. He was sentenced to several years in prison for his large plantation.
(quotation translated from the original German) - ^ Eva Krafczyk (February 20, 2017), "Rainer Schmidt: "Legal High"", Darmstädter Echo (book review) (in German), Darmstadt, Germany
- ^ "Pot, Probleme, Paradoxien—Neue Ratgeber und Wirtschaftsbücher kritisch betrachtet" [Pot, problems, paradoxes—New guides and business books considered critically] (PDF), Standort38 (business magazine) (in German), Brunswick, Germany: BZV Medienhaus/Braunschweiger Zeitung, p. 5, September 2016
- ^ Cem Özdemir (October 19, 2016), "Schützt unsere Jugend! Legalisiert Cannabis!" [Protect our children! Legalize cannabis!], Die Welt (in German)
Further reading[edit]
- Fatma Aydemir, ed. (December 20, 2014), "Görlitzer Park in Berlin-Kreuzberg: "Psst, Bob Marley" – Dealer, wütende Anwohner, massive Polizeipräsenz. Die Lage im Görlitzer Park in Berlin ist verfahren. Ein Gespräch mit "Cannabis GmbH"-Autor Rainer Schmidt" [Görlitzer Park in Berlin-Kreuzberg: "Psst, Bob Marley" – Dealer, angry residents, massive police presence. The situation in Berlin Görlitzer Park is dealt with. A conversation with "Cannabis GmbH" author Rainer Schmidt], Die Tageszeitung (in German)
- "Rainer Schmidt liest aus "Legal High"" [Rainer Schmidt reads from "Legal High"] (Streaming audio archive), 1LIVE Klubbing Bild (radio show) (in German), Westdeutscher Rundfunk public radio, September 4, 2016 – via ARD
External links[edit]
- Publisher info (Rowohlt)
- Rainer Schmidt (August 24, 2016), ""Legal High": Wie die Kanzlerin 2019 Cannabis legalisiert" ["Legal High" How the German Chancellor legalized cannabis in 2019], Die Zeit (book excerpt)
