10 Best Marijuana Grow Books & Cookbooks

Marijuana grow books are an invaluable resource for growers of all skill levels. Whether it's your first time growing weed or you have years of experience under your belt, there's always some new technique to learn. 

In today's fast-paced world of online videos and short attention spans, books on cannabis cultivation might seem outdated. However, for beginners unsure of where to start, grow books provide invaluable guidance and insights.

Reading a book can also reinforce the ideas you've learned elsewhere. Of course, nothing beats experiential learning, so once you're done reading these books, go out there and start growing!

Ed Rosenthal: Cannabis Pioneer & Author

The industry wouldn't be where it is today without the tireless efforts of the activists and growers who spread the word about the power of weed.

Luckily, many of today's leading weed experts have passed on their experience and wisdom through their published books on growing pot.

Ed Rosenthal, one of the leading cannabis horticulturists in the industry, has been a prolific author publishing dozens of books on various pot topics throughout his career spanning decades.

More than an author, he's an educator and social activist. He has truly had a big hand in advancing the movement toward what it is today.

Cannabis Training University Gives You Access to 8 Ed Rosenthal Books

Cannabis Training University is proud to have Ed Rosenthal as part of the CTU faculty. Our partnership has helped bring tons of educational value to our students all over the world.

We're thrilled to give students access to 8 of Ed's cannabis growing books when they enroll in online weed training. You can learn from the “Guru of Ganja” himself.

If you're ready to start taking your weed garden to the next level, let these marijuana horticulture books guide you to bigger, stronger, and more flavorful yields.

Best Marijuana Grow Books

1. Marijuana Grower's Handbook – Ed Rosenthal

Ed Rosenthal's “Marijuana Grower's Handbook” is an essential read for all weed growers. Throughout the over 600 pages, Rosenthal takes you through the process of growing pot from seed to harvest.

Learn how to grow indoors or outdoors through informative text and glossy photos and illustrations.

2. Big Book of Buds Greatest Hits – Ed Rosenthal

We're lucky to live during a time with tons of pot strain varieties to choose from. Rosenthal provides readers with an informative rundown on the world's most popular strains.

For growers who want to know everything about the strain from its terpenes to its flavors, this cannabis grow book is for you.

3. Beyond Buds: Marijuana Extracts, Hash, Vaping, Dabbing, Edibles and Medicines – Ed Rosenthal

Weed extraction is the new frontier of the industry. Learn all about turning your freshly harvested buds into concentrates, edibles, and topicals.

Dive deep into the mechanics of weed extraction methods. You'll learn how to make cannabutter for edibles and other infusions with your buds.

4. Beyond Buds, Next Generation: Marijuana Concentrates and Cannabis Infusions – Ed Rosenthal & Greg Zeman

Dive even deeper into the world of weed extraction methods with Rosenthal's “Beyond Buds, Next Generation” book. 

Take a close look at BHO, rosin, oil, and the variety of dab types that exist. Use the information in this book to transform your trim into a variety of extracts and topicals. The concentrate market is developing fast and Ed Rosenthal is at the forefront.

5. Marijuana Garden Saver: A Field Guide to Identifying and Correcting Cannabis Problems – Ed Rosenthal

If you've got a problem with your weed garden, Ed Rosenthal probably has a book on it. In his “Marijuana Garden Saver” book, Rosenthal provides growers with a go-to field guide to identify and fix various common problems. 

This book covers common pests, diseases, environmental stresses, and nutrient disorders that affect a garden.

6. Closet Cultivator: Indoor Marijuana Cultivation Made Easy – Ed Rosenthal

We know not everyone has a huge space to grow several plants. Some growers may just have an empty closet to grow in. For these growers, Rosenthal's “Closet Cultivator” takes you through every step of designing a grow space in a limited space and on a budget.

Learn about lighting, irrigation, nutrients, and more.

7. The Cannabis Grow Bible: The Definitive Guide to Growing Marijuana for Recreational and Medical Use – Greg Green

Greg Green's classic “Cannabis Grow Bible” is regarded as one of the most complete books on the subject. Over a decade old, this book covered ground-breaking techniques that continue to be used to this day.

For instance, his section on the Screen of Green (SCROG) technique teaches you how to train and prune a canopy to increase your yield. Have some patience though, this book's detailed instructions can be a hard read for beginners.

8. True Living Organics: The Ultimate Guide to Growing All-Natural Marijuana Indoors – The Rev

If you're a seasoned grower and want to take your garden to the next level, The Rev's “True Living Organics” grow book is for you. The Rev wrote one of the only books on the market that shows you how to convert your current garden into an all-natural environment.

He pays special attention to the different high-quality living mediums for your plants. The over 200 featured images make his instructions easy-to-follow.

9. Cultivating Exceptional Cannabis: An Expert Breeder Shares His Secrets – DJ Short

DJ Short is known for his legendary strain creations including his award-winning Blueberry strain. Instead of focusing on yield and potency, DJ Short focuses on sustainability. 

He teaches you how to grow organically from seed to harvest. His book also covers the basics of breeding new strains.

10. The Sinsemilla Technique – Kayo

“The Sinsemilla Technique” by Kayo is a classic read. Published in 1983, this book may not be as up-to-date as some of today's modern grow books, but they all owe a debt of gratitude to this iconic grow book. Kaya cuts through the jargon and spells it out simply for beginners.

He is also one of the first to describe the popular method of separating male and female plants. This book is a must-read for first-time growers who want an easy and informative guide to growing cannabis.

More Growing Books by Ed Rosenthal

Rosenthal's nearly 50-year career in the industry has placed him at the forefront of the cultivation space. Over the decades, he's shared his wisdom through books on various weed cultivation topics.

Whether you plan to grow medical marijuana or pot for personal use, these books by the “Guru of Ganja” can set you on the right path.

Marijuana Harvest: How to Maximize Quality and Yield In Your Cannabis Garden

This book is the ultimate read for growers who want to get the maximum yield possible.

Co-authored with David Downs, this book combines the knowledge of two professionals at the top of their game. Learn the best time to harvest, the ripening stages of trichomes, and the flushing techniques necessary to give you better yields.

Marijuana Pest and Disease Control: How to Protect Your Plants and Win Back Your Garden

This book gives you all the tools you need to battle those pesky pests. It also teaches you how to ward off diseases that can devastate your crop.

Rosenthal teaches you safe and organic pest management techniques, so you won't have to use pesticides. He also shows you preventative measures to take to avoid the problem in the first place.

Ask Ed: Marijuana Success Tips: Tips and Advice for Gardening Year-Round

“Ask Ed: Marijuana Success Tips: Tips and Advice for Gardening Year-Round” assembles his best advice column posts.

It also includes 20 articles from his backyard experiments, travels, and visits to large scale farms. Learn how to grow throughout the year and always have a supply of weed on hand.

Cannabis Cookbooks

The edibles segment of the cannabis industry has exploded in the age of legal cannabis. Pot brownies and cookies that were common in days past are eclipsed by some of the delicious dishes now being served with cannabis as the theme.

Not only are sweet desserts and candies the focus, but a wide range of savory foods as well, as talented cannabis chefs provide delicious recipes for creating a marijuana meal anyone would be proud to serve.

Cooking with Herb – Cedella Marley

If it wasn’t such a great cookbook, this book would be notable for the simple fact that it was written by reggae musician Bob Marley’s daughter.

Her recipes embrace a holistic, green lifestyle. Many of the dishes presented are Jamaican and vegetarian delicacies that are downright delicious. Marley also includes content about growing up in Jamaica and how cannabis is an integral part of her lifestyle.

Herb: Mastering the Art of Cooking with Cannabis – Melissa Parks & Laurie Wolf

This combined effort from two notable chefs brings a touch of gourmet elegance to the cannabis kitchen. Outstanding photographs accompany the delicious recipes for appetizers, desserts, drinks, and entrees, making this book not only useful for cooking, but visually appealing as well.

Sound information about consistent dosages for infused butters and oils makes this book particularly useful.

The Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook: Feel-Good Food for Home Cooks – Robyn Griggs Lawrence

This collection of recipes from a dozen chefs and a bartender provides excellent recipes for a range of cuisine and beverages.

The book also contains a biography section for the chefs who share their mouth-watering dishes. The range of recipes presented her is bound to please any cannabis-loving foodie.

Marijuana E-Books

For electronic learning enroll at Cannabis Training University to get all your cannabis education online.

Cannabis Training University has free marijuana e-books you need to get your cannabis career up and running, or to simply improve your personal cannabis knowledge and skills.

Online Cannabis Training

Weed grow books are more available than ever. Today, you can find a marijuana grow book covering nearly every topic imaginable. Find books on cultivation, extraction, cooking, and more. For a complete guide to growing cannabis, enroll in CTU's online cannabis training courses.

Luis Cordova

Luis Cordova is a distinguished author, and renowned expert in cannabis cultivation, who possesses a Master's degree in Plant Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Science. As a valued contributor to highly esteemed publications such as Cannabis Training University and Maximum Yield Magazine, Luis has emerged as a trusted source of guidance and knowledge in the cannabis industry. Having written thousands of informative articles, Luis is widely recognized for his comprehensive expertise on cultivating cannabis, both indoors and outdoors.