I got high for the first time in 1994. I remember it like it was yesterday. I had smoked marijuana a handful of times previous to actually getting high, and had almost given up on it being enjoyable since nothing seemed to be happening. I’ve talked to thousands of marijuana consumers over the years, and some people get extremely high the first time they consume, but for others like me, it took a handful of times.
I will say though, the wait was worth it, because once it kicked in it was one of the wildest, most enjoyable experiences of my life. I remember my friend asking me ‘did it work this time?’ All I could do is look at him, laugh, and nod my head. I always love hearing other people’s experiences getting high for the first time. I read a book recently that is a first hand account of evolving as a cannabis consumer.
The book is called Epiphanies Whilst High Out Of One’s Mind by H.T. Yim. If there’s one thing that I would say about this book, is that it’s highly entertaining. A lot of the experiences that the author recalls are very funny, especially the way she describes them. If you are a veteran marijuana consumer, then you have been in similar experiences at one point or another. The book is also excellent for newbie consumers, for consumers that are coming back from a long hiatus, and for non-consumers.
Epiphanies Whilst High Out Of One’s Mind can provide a lot of insight and learning experiences for people that aren’t veteran marijuana consumers. More and more people are trying marijuana for the first time, or are just curious because it’s such a hot topic right now. This book provides a stoner biography of sorts and can really serve as a guide of what to do, and what not to do, as a marijuana consumer.
“I wanted to write a book that was accessible and fun to read, and – just as importantly – one that promoted responsible consumption,” explains Yim, a Third Wave feminist and dedicated advocate for drug policy reform. “I’ve learned so much about the substance over the years, both positive and negative, and hopefully readers will benefit from those lessons.
“Especially as we enter a new era of understanding, I believe it’s important to challenge lingering misconceptions about cannabis, as many are as unfair as they are inaccurate.”
“I want to help shatter the stigma associated with marijuana, which dates back to the 1930’s,” explains Yim. “Epiphanies allows readers to learn while laughing and glimpsing the world from the perspective of an average user – breaking down stereotypes and exploring the beauty of the Cannabis plant and its many medicinal, sedative, and creative uses.”
One of my favorite things about the book is that the author, H.T. Yim, is a member of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP). SSDP has been one of my favorite organizations for a long time, and I always like highlighting the work of hardworking cannabis activists. The author has a IndieGoGo crowd funding campaign to help raise funds to print Epiphanies Whilst High Out Of One’s Mind on paperback. You can contribute at this link here.
You can enter to win a free digital copy of Epiphanies Whilst High Out Of One’s Mind by going to the Facebook contest page for the book at this link here, list one benefit of legalization, and tag 3 friends in the comments to win. Give the page a ‘like’ while you’re there. If you don’t win in the contest, or just want to get your hands on a copy of the book, and/or want to support a hardworking activist while getting a very entertaining book in the process, check out Epiphanies Whilst High Out Of One’s Mind on Amazon. The Kindle price is just $.99, and at 99 pages, it’s an easy, fun read.
About the Author
Hayoung Terra Yim is a graduate of University of Toronto with an Honours B.A. in Political Science and English.
She is a Third Wave feminist and an advocate for drug policy reform, a member of Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy. She is a recreational user of cannabis and the author of Epiphanies Whilst High Out Of One’s Mind: a series of narrative nonfiction essays written on the subject of cannabis, seeking to both entertain and educate. For additional information, please visit www.potandprose.com.
