In Cannabis: The Illegalization of Weed in America (First Second, April), Box Brown surveys the broad history of marijuana, starting with its role in Hindu mythology on through its importation into the Americas by Spain. Brought into the U.S. by Mexican immigrants in the 19th century, the drug eventually became associated with Jazz musicians and inevitably became tainted by a racist social mythology that attached weed to violence and sex in order to justify legal restrictions on it. In this illuminating work of graphic nonfiction, Brown provides a thoughtful look at the history, pharmacological affects and legalization movement surrounding marijuana in North America. This is a 15-page excerpt.