HIGH IN AMERICA: The True Story Behind NORML and the Politics of Marijuana

New York: The Viking Press, 1981. First edition. Near fine in near fine jacket.. Signed first printing of this story of the early days of the marijuana reform fight, inscribed to the late Larry King. Anderson's riveting narrative of the birth of NORML, its founder Keith Stroup, and the other era-defining personalities - Hugh Hefner, Willie Nelson, Hunter S. Thompson - seen variously as threats, menaces, and attempted saviors. Written at the dawn of the '80s, HIGH IN AMERICA looks both backwards and forwards at the changing public face of marijuana advocacy from countercultural utopian dream to broad and science-based mainstream coalition. Long before the victories of recent years, Anderson wrote with engaging reasonableness, "Legalization and regulation of marijuana will not be a perfect system, but our s is not a perfect world, and it will come because it is the least-bad system." This unique association copy warmly inscribed to legendary broadcaster Larry King. 9'' x 6''. Original quarter orange cloth with blue boards. In original unclipped ($13.95) dust jacket, designed by Richard Reitzes. 328 pages. Inscribed by Anderson on front free endpaper: "For Larry King / with thanks for / another great interview - / and with warm personal wishes - / Pat Anderson / Feb 25, 1981." Boards faintly sunned along edges; minor rubbing to jacket. Near fine in like jacket.