Grass Roots

Grass Roots tells the remarkable story of marijuana’s rise from acceptance to demonization and back again. Historian Emily Dufton explores how grassroots activists fought for decades to change marijuana laws, only to face fierce backlash from frightened parents and a national scourge-like reputation. While pro-pot campaigners secured decriminalization in the 1970s, marijuana’s path to legalization was far from smooth. Dufton shines a light on the thousands of ordinary Americans who made changing marijuana laws their life’s work, and warns of the swift counterrevolutions that could undo their progress.