Cool Children's Book: It's Just a Plant

March 4, 2007

Most anti-drug education aimed at kids is woefully bad, offering "just say no" messages with very few details about what, exactly, these evil drugs do. That's why I'm intrigued by this new picture book about marijuana called It's Just a Plant.

When I first saw it written up on Cool Hunting, I thought it was a joke, but actually, it's a pretty smart little book. Rather than treat pot like a dangerous drug to be avoided at all costs, the book presents pot more like alcohol — something that's not meant for kids but that they shouldn't be afraid of. Even if you don't agree, the book is worth a look, so read more

The It's Just a Plant web site, where you can purchase the book and read it online, makes some good points. According to the book's creators:

"Many parents have tried marijuana, some still use it. Neither feel great about disclosing such histories (many duck the question), for fear that telling their kids might encourage them to experiment on their own. ...

It's Just a Plant is a book for parents who want to educate their children about the complexities of pot in a thoughtful, fact-oriented manner."

What do you guys think?

13 Comments

Butrfly4404 6 years 11 weeks

I gotta know...how does it end????? The website stops when the cop starts talking to the girl. It's driving me crazy!

Butrfly4404 6 years 11 weeks

Hmmmm.... I'm still not entirely sure what to think about this!! I'm not anti-pot at all...but I don't want my kids to do it. (Let's go back 10 years...yep, there's me skipping school to get high...only took two extra years to graduate!!) But I agree about not scaring the kids. dropstar- was that the show where they talked about how they gave the slaves cocaine to make them work, then when they started getting "crazy" over it, they took it away? I remember watching that and can never remember if I got my facts straight to tell anyone about it.

vrico2005 6 years 11 weeks

This is a great way to educate children without instilling fear! I am so glad that this is out there!!! Thanks for posting this!

superjules 6 years 11 weeks

I think it's a good way to break the ice. I was mortified when my daughter was old enough to ask me questions about smoking pot. It was much later than 8-10 years old. I didn't know what to say. I had only tried it a couple times but still I didn't want to lie. And my personal feeling is that it should be legalized. People don't get stoned and go home and beat the wife and kids. She's 17 now and about to go off to college. We're going to Amsterdam in May!

dropstar 6 years 11 weeks

I think it's a terrific idea. Last week there was a special series that aired on the History Channel on the history of drugs. I watched the episodes on cocaine and the opiates. Honestly, for the harder drugs, I have no problem with scary. After learning the scientific effects of cocaine, heroin & oxycontin abuse on the body, it seems that whatever temporary eurphoric effect it has just isn't worth it. Now I'll be the first to say I didn't want my morphine drip to end after being in labor for three days with no sign of baby. But in the end, I'd rather visit a botanical garden or eat something chocolate. Hopefully my daughter will one day agree :)

juliet 6 years 11 weeks

"I hope they come out with a book entitled, "It's Just a Penis"" Hilarious!

nicachica 6 years 11 weeks

i've read this book (i used to work at drug reform place) and it's nicely simple and well-written. It's geared towards kids around 8-10 and while it's a bit hokey, it gets the point across very well.

Linda McP 6 years 11 weeks

Parents who are users or who were once users do find it difficult to talk to their children about marijuana; if they are the target audience and use the book as one tool to open up responsible conversation, then the book will have served its purpose.

flummoxes 6 years 11 weeks

I hope they come out with a book entitled, "It's Just a Penis"

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13 Comments

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