New to the cannabis industry and want to build a solid knowledge base in no time?
Perfect. We created this list just for you.
But if you’re an industry veteran – don’t click away just yet!
This list may contain one or two resources you could find useful.
Table of Contents
How this list was created
We, at Lumino, have had the pleasure of placing numerous rockstar candidates in some of the most well-renowned companies in the sector. Oftentimes, the candidates we placed came from related industries such as FMCG or pharma. With their limited knowledge or exposure to the world of cannabis, we’ve helped prepare them for interviews (and their job once they landed it) by sharing with them cannabis industry must-reads and must-listens.
Having done this since 2018, we have narrowed down these resources and essentially built a directory that will help any newbie to the space hit the ground running.
As the cannabis industry continues to grow, we thought there was no better time than now to publicly share this compilation of the best cannabis books, cannabis news sites, and cannabis podcasts.
📍 NOTE: these lists are not ranked in any particular order.
📚 Top 10 Cannabis Industry Books
If you do a quick search online you’d find plenty of books on cannabis.
However, a large part of them focus on either how to grow cannabis or showcasing popular strains with information (akin to your typical coffee table hardcover book).
If you want books that cover the business side of cannabis, or cannabis laws and regulations, or the science behind the plant and its medicinal properties? Well, it’s important to have a look at the book’s publication date as those published before 2015-2020 typically contain outdated information with all the latest findings, shifts in legislation and adaptation of best practices due to the industry’s constant evolution.
In other words, you’d never find that one perfect book. That’s why we recommend you spend most of your effort and time learning about the industry from various free sources on the web – like newsletters, how-to’s, podcasts and informative articles.
Nevertheless, if you’ve recently thought of working in the cannabis industry and really want to get your hands on a cannabis book (or several cannabis books) that will get you engaging with fellow industry professionals in no time – below is our list of recommendations.
A science focused overview that explains cannabinoids, consumption methods and medicinal applications in plain English. Dr Kirk balances scientific rigour with accessibility, making it ideal for professionals who want to speak confidently about the plant’s therapeutic potential.
A practical primer on the fundamentals of the plant, industry touchpoints and potential business opportunities. This book is useful for those wanting a structured, consultancy style overview of how the global market is developing.
A clear, beginner friendly introduction that breaks down cannabis history, culture and emerging market structures. It is particularly helpful for those who need the basics explained simply without losing industry relevance, making it a great starting point for new hires.
One of the most detailed cultivation references available, covering plant biology, growing methods and medical usage. While heavily cultivation focused, it helps newcomers understand the agricultural complexity behind the supply chain.
A visually rich guide to cannabis strains and their traits, presented in an accessible, coffee table format. It is particularly useful for those wanting to understand product language, consumer preferences and strain based branding in dispensaries.
A thorough breakdown of the legal, regulatory and financial challenges faced by cannabis operators. Although centred on the United States, it gives readers a strong grounding in governance frameworks that often mirror or influence European market design.
A widely respected guide to cultivation covering growing cycles, equipment, troubleshooting and yields. Even for non cultivators, it offers valuable insight into how production variables affect downstream operations and product quality.
A comprehensive academic text exploring clinical research, pharmacology and therapeutic applications. It is best suited for professionals who want a deep scientific understanding to complement commercial or regulatory knowledge.
A business focused book on marketing, product design and brand strategy within cannabis markets. It explains why certain brands succeed and how consumer perception is shaped, making it beneficial for anyone entering commercial, marketing or leadership roles.
A detailed historical study of the plant’s origins, cultural uses and global spread. This resource provides vital context on how cannabis became the modern industry it is today, helping professionals understand its socio political foundations.
📰 Top 10 Cannabis Industry News Sites
Based in the USA, MJBizDaily is one of the most established global cannabis business news outlets, known for its data driven reporting. A go to resource for market trends, financial news and regulatory updates.
A platform focused on commercial insights, leadership interviews and sector analysis. It helps industry professionals understand business strategy, investment patterns and European market shifts.
A Portugal based publication offering strong coverage of European regulation, policy and scientific developments. Particularly useful for keeping track of the fast changing legislative landscape.
A legacy media brand covering cannabis culture, product trends and consumer facing stories. It was acquired by RAW Rolling Papers in June 2025 and is currently led by RAW’s Founder, Josh Kesselman. While more lifestyle oriented, it offers valuable insight into brand influence and consumer sentiment.
A French based outlet delivering European cannabis news with a multilingual reach. It is ideal for those wanting to monitor EU policy developments and market openings.
A UK based digital magazine focused on health, wellness, policy and opinion pieces. It offers balanced, accessible reporting for professionals wanting to understand public perception and patient stories.
A German language publication covering investment, business news and regulatory updates in the DACH region. It is particularly relevant as Germany continues to shape European cannabis policy.
A highly respected research and insights company publishing reports, forecasts and global market analysis. Their work helps executives make informed decisions and understand emerging opportunities. We recommend signing up for their comprehensive newsletter and reading their free reports.
An Australian industry news site offering commercial insights, company updates and regulatory reporting. Although APAC focused, its content often parallels shifts seen in Europe.
Germany’s national cannabis industry association providing policy updates, lobbying activity and regulatory commentary. It is essential for anyone working with or entering the German market. We recommend signing up for their newsletter.
🎙️Top 10 Cannabis Industry Podcasts
A respected European podcast featuring interviews with scientists, policymakers and operators. It brings clarity to complex topics and offers balanced perspectives on how the European industry is evolving. Though the podcast went through a 2-year hiatus, there are plans to resume again in early 2026.
A business and innovation focused show exploring operators, brands and market developments. Helpful for listeners wanting digestible commercial insights with a global lens.
A legal podcast hosted by cannabis attorneys discussing regulation, compliance and governance. Perfect for professionals navigating complex frameworks or preparing for expansion.
A blend of business conversation, leadership stories and market trends. Its informal tone makes it great for those who want practical insight without heavy technical language.
A cultivation centric podcast offering tips, growing techniques and community discussions. Even non cultivators gain a deeper appreciation for the production side of the industry.
A narrative style podcast exploring the cultural, political and historical milestones of cannabis. Excellent for newcomers wanting to appreciate the plant’s long and colourful past.
Features real patient stories, medical experts and scientific discussion on therapeutic applications. Useful for those wanting to understand cannabis as a medicine beyond commercial narratives.
A niche show addressing finance, tax and accounting challenges unique to cannabis companies. Particularly relevant for CFOs, controllers and finance leaders entering the space.
An innovation focused podcast spotlighting founders, technologies and new business models. It shows listeners where the industry is headed, helping them anticipate future opportunities.
Only available on Youtube, The Dales Report is a market focused show covering cannabis finance, investments and sector analysis, with interviews featuring CEOs, analysts and policy insiders. Its strength lies in simplifying complex capital markets trends so newcomers can quickly understand where investor sentiment is heading.
💡 Extra Recommendations
1. Market Intelligence
Supplementing the information from all the resources mentioned above, below is a list of websites that offer in-depth information on cannabis products, such as their origin and pricing.
Weed.de
Weed.de is a German platform combining product listings, medicinal cannabis guides, and industry news, along with strain databases and pharmacy resources. It is particularly useful for professionals wanting to understand the German market, patient access, and the practical side of medical cannabis distribution. The site also offers lifestyle and educational content, making it a versatile resource for beginners.
MedBud Wiki is an online resource offering guides, news, and educational content on cannabis, with a focus on medicinal use and industry developments. It is particularly helpful for newcomers who want structured information on strains, effects, and regulatory updates. The platform’s wiki style makes it easy to explore topics quickly and deepen knowledge as needed.
Flowzz
Flowzz provides cannabis news, trends, and market insights, with a mix of editorial articles and industry commentary. It is useful for newcomers wanting to understand both European and global market dynamics, consumer trends, and emerging business opportunities. The site’s concise reporting style makes it easy to digest complex industry developments.
2. Networking
Aside from all these resources, one of the best ways of learning about the cannabis industry is through engaging with industry professionals and leaders themselves.
There are plenty of cannabis events happening around the world that provide this opportunity – from conferences and expos to casual afterparties. If you want to know the best events to attend in Europe, we recommend reading our article.
All the best on your cannabis journey!
After years of helping candidates successfully transition into the cannabis industry, we’ve seen first-hand how the right resources make all the difference. The books, news sites, and podcasts we’ve shared here are the ones that have truly helped newcomers understand the business, science, and culture of cannabis.
Use them to build your knowledge, feel confident in your role, and hit the ground running – just like many of the talented professionals we’ve supported at Lumino.
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