Legal High

Legal High
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. Originally written in the German language, it is a social satire concerning a near-future Germany where a legalization of cannabis is imminent.[1] The book's author is also a journalist and as of 2016, the 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 journalism research.[3]

Reception

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 concerning legalization, noting its clever examination of the schwerwiegende Auswirkungen (serious impact) where it has already occurred, such as the U.S. state of Colorado.[5] The novel was referred to in a pro-legalization op-ed in Die Welt by Cem Özdemir, the co-chair of Alliance 90/The Greens.[6]

References

  1. ↑ ""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
  2. ↑ André Gärisch (June 23, 2016), FAZ launcht Magazin "Frankfurter Allgemeine Quarterly", DWDL.de
  3. ↑ 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)
  4. ↑ Eva Krafczyk (February 20, 2017), "Rainer Schmidt: "Legal High"", Darmstädter Echo (book review) (in German), Darmstadt, Germany
  5. ↑ "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
  6. ↑ Cem Özdemir (October 19, 2016), "Schützt unsere Jugend! Legalisiert Cannabis!" [Protect our children! Legalize cannabis!], Die Welt (in German)

Further reading

  • 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
  • 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)
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