This book was written by the daughter of the woman who ran the Sticky Fingers Pot Brownies bakery in San Francisco. It is a really heartfelt and honest memoir which goes through the start-up of the business and the changes in the different people who worked and sold and the eventual decision to stop. There is quite a cast of unique individuals who went in and out of her life growing up.

The author gives very interesting descriptions of the cast of characters that were living in San Francisco during that time. They all seemed to trust each other and help each other, and want the best for everyone.
When she progresses to the aids epidemic and changes it brought to the community, it is a very different story. HIV was so misunderstood and people suffered so much. Marijuana was used by many for medicinal purposes then, but not approved by the government.

Because there was so much political information and government regulation mentioned, those parts of the book dragged for me.

Overall, it was a good read. It is somewhat unbelievable that her parents never got caught and also that she grew up relatively happy. As she says in the book, she was always loved and never went hungry.

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A very interesting memoir, written by the daughter of the woman who ran Sticky Fingers Brownies. It was an underground bakery that distributed pot brownies, out of her home in San Francisco. She recounts her unique childhood, growing up in the 70’s & 80’s - during such a pivotal time in San Francisco. It’s well researched and talks about not only marijuana legislation during that time, but also the politics and colorful culture in San Fran when the AIDS virus appears. Definitely enjoyed this and learned a few things as well!

Unfortunately, I do not review books that are unavailable in kindle format. It is helpful for requests for publishers to make a note in the description of the book if that format is unavailable for a title.

I love a memoir! This one is extremely engaging and shows such a different and educational side to the marijuana industry. I think no matter how you feel about legalizing weed, this is an interesting read! Happy 4/20!

Read if you: Want a bizarre, hilarious, insightful, and moving memoir of a childhood shaped by 1970s-80s San Francisco.

Alia Volz had quite the unique childhood; raised by parents deeply in the "New Age" movement and running a marijuana brownie business made that quite clear. Volz balances her fascinating home life with the rise of the LGBTQ+ movement in San Francisco, as well as the devastation of AIDS in the Bay Area. The road to legalization and acceptance of medical marijuana was paved with the anger and tears of AIDS victims, survivors, and those who loved them.

Librarians and booksellers: AIDS-related books and books about the legalization movement are slowly on the rise. This is a fantastic read that will open many eyes.

Many thanks to Houghton Miifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.