Throughout history, there have been many legacies left behind by powerful characters and their accomplishments. Legends and myths have been created around them…but who would think one such legacy left would be by a little ole plant? Cannabis, as controversial as she may be, has left an impact like no other in our history. All the way from Central Asia 11,700 years ago, down to your little home town today, in 2024 we still feel the effects of this magical plant, both literally and metaphorically.
Long before humans even figured out how to record their histories on paper or stones, cannabis was present in their communities. Taking root near the Altai Mountains of Central Asia, and spreading across continents with nomads and traders, the legacy of cannabis had begun. Around 8,800 B.C. folks in Taiwan began to cultivate cannabis themselves, finding use in its practical purposes by using the fibers of the plant to create ropes and clothing. At first, it was mostly a focus on survival, humans hadn’t yet realized the plants other abilities…but that would soon change.
By 2727 B.C. we received our first written record of cannabis, from one Chinese Emperor Shen Nung. He wrote of the healing properties that the plant may possess. In other parts of the world, like India, people began to experiment with other potential uses of cannabis. Inventing a drink made from the plant called “bhang”, they used the drink in rituals and ceremonies to connect to their gods. Hindu texts describe one such god, known as Shiva, as the Lord of Bhang. These cultures believed that not only could this drink connect to and please the divine, but it could also help to relieve stress and reduce fevers. Though there wasn’t much scientific evidence to back up these claims, it’s an interesting note that even in this era of understanding, cannabis was thought to harbor healing properties.
It would be 1545 when Spanish colonists would bring this rare flora over to the Western Hemisphere. Continuing its growth in Chile, where again, communities began to cultivate cannabis for its hemp fibers. Hailed for its practical uses it wouldn’t take long before curiosity was sown through the nations where this plant was grown.
Jumping forward to the 19th Century, an Irish doctor, William Brooke O’Shaughnessy, who had studied cannabis while living in India, introduced cannabis to the medical community. O’Shaugnessy believed in its potential to treat an array of ailments after seeing how the plant was utilised in Indian traditions. His reports sparked curiosity amongst many, igniting studies throughout professionals. Of course, medical testing then was next to nothing when compared to our abilities to understand the possible benefits of this plant today.
Cannabis took on a household name by the late 1800s within Western medicine. Some doctors believed it could help alleviate things like migraines and menstrual pains. Many of the plant's inner workings remained a mystery, but that didn’t stop anyone from exploring what could be understood about the plant. Even Queen Victoria’s physician, Dr. J. Russel Reynolds, prescribed the plant to her to aid her menstrual cramps.
However, every legend needs an opponent, we suppose, thus in the 20th Century, Cannabis met her match. In 1937 the US government passed the Marijuana Tax Act, which essentially brought on the criminalization of cannabis. Public opinion quickly shifted due to propaganda like Reefer Madness, fueling fears that it led to violence and unpredictable behaviors.
The crack down continued in 1970 when cannabis was classified as a Schedule I drug under the controlled Substance Act. Labeling cannabis as having “no accepted medical use” and a high potential for abuse, along the likes of heroin and LSD. Unfortunately, this was a major blow to the industry, causing a screeching halt for any hopes of scientific research or even industrial use for America.
Other countries, though, pushed forward in research and exploration of this plant. In 1964, an Israeli scientist by the name of Raphael Mechoulam identified the component responsible for the psychoactive effects of the plant, THC. His discovery reignited interest in cannabis, but it would still take several decades before public attitudes would shift back to the favor of our legend.
Another tidal shift came in 1996 when California became the first American state to legalize cannabis for medical use. With this decision opening the door, a new era of research and acceptance was born. Today, many states and countries are rethinking their approach to cannabis legislation and the possibilities for its impact upon our societies. As regulations shift and conversations continue to be sparked, cannabis and its growing industry continue to evolve, leaving many questions yet to be answered.
Thousands of years after our ancestors originally came into contact with this sacred plant, we still continue to use it today. Not many things - especially plants - can stand these tests of time. While myths and misconceptions once clouded this plant in mystery, today, we seek to understand this green life force. Using modern technology to fill in the gaps, we’ll gain an even deeper understanding of the impact and possibilities of cannabis. It's a story that is still to this day being written, a legacy still being shaped, and it's fairly clear to us that regardless of the challenges the Green Goddess may face, she will continue to reign supreme.
Note: Wanna learn more about cannabis? We're going all in, from history to tastings, we're giving you unfettered access to all of the information on this sacred plant! Visit our other blogs on the topic:
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/story/why-is-marijuana-illegal-in-the-us
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YW-VXGUtenU50WWL_zDVRn5o2tp2tR7Q?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WtJqfhu7oI5ZAfb5kBex02TqY48kJ9zt?ths=true
https://www.sydney.edu.au/lambert/medicinal-cannabis/history-of-cannabis.html
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