A New Leaf Publications (ANLP), the publishing arm of Marijuana Anonymous World Services, was born out of the fellowship’s desire carry its spiritual message though print and other media to the addict who still suffers, and to keep that spiritual message separate from financial and property concerns.
ANLP publishes the book Life with Hope in softcover and eBook formats. Now in its third edition, this basic text fully describes the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions of the program of recovery as they relate specifically to marijuana addicts. It is an excellent resource for all seeking recovery through our proven Twelve Step program.
The text also includes the section, A Doctor’s Opinion about Marijuana Addiction, and 15 personal stories where Marijuana Anonymous members share their experience, strength and hope. These stories speak to the newcomer, to the addict who’s still using, to long-time members, and to anyone interested in some of the effects of cannabis use on a person’s life. The stories, and our book, speak to the fact that a “life with hope” is truly possible.
ANLP also publishes the Life with Hope 12 Step Workbook. It is intended to be an aid to the sponsor and sponsee working through the 12 Steps together, and is written to be used in conjunction with reading the Life with Hope text. Its popularity with MA’s sober community is second only to that of the Life with Hope text.
Each month ANLP publishes and distributes the newsletter A New Leaf (ANL). This newsletter contains MA member-submitted stories and other expressions sharing their experience, strength and hope in recovery. It is also a medium through which MA members may have their annual sobriety birthdays posted. ANL also provides announcements and updates about major MA events and the ongoing work of MA World Services committees. Domestic (US) and international MA members, who do not live near in-person meetings, and others find this publication particularly useful.
Also, ANL group subscriptions allow meetings to carry the following traditions:
- The newsletter in meetings provides a physical reminder to encourage members to submit stories and birthdays, to be part of something, to celebrate our collective recovery.
- Many meetings read stories from the newsletter as topic for discussion.
- Often there are service-related announcements intended for groups and members so people can stay informed and connected to what’s going on in the broader MA community, and learn of opportunities to be of service.
- Distributing the newsletter as part of newcomer packets is also a tradition many meetings practice regularly, in the spirit of sharing unity of the greater fellowship, and providing another channel of hope and recovery.