Historians Claim Humanity Has Used Cannabis for 10,000 Years
Historians assert that humanity has used cannabis for thousands of years. Recent scientific research dates the first use of cannabis to 10,000 years ago. According to scientists, Cannabis sativa was used for medicinal purposes as early as 8,000 BCE. Here are some of the most interesting facts and findings from this research.
Where Did Cannabis Originate?
The study indicates that Asia is the birthplace of cannabis. The plant initially spread to neighboring regions and was considered an important crop, as agricultural criteria were different at the time. The research notes that the endocannabinoid system “exists in the most primitive vertebrates with a neural network.”
From 8,000 to 200 BCE, cannabis began to be used for textile production and spread throughout Asia and Europe. According to the study, the first cannabis fibers were made in Taiwan, then in Russia, and later in Greece.
When Was Cannabis First Used for Medicine?
The research highlights that many societies used cannabis for medicinal purposes. For example, it is documented that a Chinese emperor was the first to recognize cannabis as a medicinal plant in 2737 BCE. This fact is often debated by other historians. Emperor Shen Neng is called the “founder” of Chinese agriculture and pharmacology.
When Did People Start Using Cannabis for Intoxication?
This topic is hotly debated. According to the study, the first documented mention of the intoxicating effects of cannabis dates back to the first century CE. The Greek writer and philosopher Plutarch (45–120) mentions the Thracians, a group of Indo-European tribes in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, and writes that they “use cannabis for intoxication.”
When Did Cannabis Become Prohibited?
Historians say the first ban on cannabis was imposed by Pope Innocent VIII in 1484. He issued a decree condemning the use of cannabis and witchcraft. Knowing this history, it becomes clear that the official prohibition of cannabis is a relatively recent development. For thousands of years, societies discovered new medicinal uses for this remarkable plant, in addition to its industrial applications.
In the early 20th century, cannabis was declared illegal. The 1925 Geneva International Convention included cannabis in the law on dangerous substances, making the plant illegal in most of Europe, including the United Kingdom. Americans passed the Marihuana Tax Act a decade later, in 1937. This heavy tax led to the cessation of cannabis cultivation and its use for medical purposes. All the plant’s remarkable properties were forgotten until activists brought them back to public attention during the liberal 1960s.
What Is the Future of Cannabis?
Now that the history is clear, it’s time to look to the future. In 1996, California passed the first medical cannabis law, marking the beginning of cannabis’s return to legality. With the development of the cannabis industry in the United States and Canada, many new scientific studies are emerging about the plant’s medical benefits. Perhaps the time has finally come for cannabis to be fully legalized?