For millennia, cannabis has intertwined its growth and uses with human civilizations. Diverse cultures nurtured this versatile plant, employing its seeds for sustenance, fibers for textiles, ropes, and more, and its blossoms for both medicinal and spiritual purposes. An indispensable companion to our ancestors, cannabis retains its significance in the present day.
The profound healing potential of cannabis was no secret to our forebears. While the therapeutic wonders of cannabis may appear as a contemporary revelation in the West, Eastern cultures have documented and embraced its benefits for thousands of years.
This narrative unfurls the tale of cannabis - its origins, global dissemination, and cultural utilization. It illuminates the pivotal role this plant played in ancient human societies and continues to play in modern times.
Origin of Cannabis: A Historical Timeline
Cannabis likely found its genesis in Central Asia, spanning regions from China and Mongolia to Russia, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and India. Approximately 10,000 years ago, as humanity embarked on agricultural practices, cannabis was selectively cultivated around 5,000 to 6,000 years ago. With shifting climates and human migrations, the plant journeyed across continents, spreading far and wide from its Central Asian cradle.
Distinct varieties of cannabis, now referred to as landraces, took shape in specific locales, shaped by the unique interplay of climate, geography, soil, and environment. Notable examples include strains like Hindu Kush, native to the Kush Mountains of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Medicinal Cannabis in Ancient China
In ancient China, the Pen-ts’ao Ching, the oldest extant medical text, emerged during the late Han Dynasty (2nd century CE), drawing from even earlier sources. Emperor Shen-Nung, hailed as the progenitor of Chinese medicine, recognized cannabis' efficacy in treating over a hundred maladies. This venerable text constitutes the inaugural documentation of cannabis as a therapeutic agent, emphasizing its curative potential and safety.
Within the Pen-ts’ao Ching, a preparation of female cannabis flowers is denoted as “ma-fen.” Following the principles of yin and yang, cannabis was viewed as a remedy restoring yin, proving beneficial for conditions like gout, rheumatic pain, constipation, malaria, and gynecological disorders.
Linguistic analysts posit that medicinal cannabis influenced the creation of certain Chinese compound words, encompassing terms like “numb,” “narcotic,” and “paralysis,” all featuring the root “má” signifying “hemp” and reflecting the effects of cannabis.
In 2019, archaeologists uncovered wooden braziers dating back to around 1500 BCE in the Eastern Pamir region of China, hinting at their role in burial rituals. These devices, carved with deep wells, contained traces of cannabinoids in the charred residue, suggesting the inhalation of cannabis smoke.
Subsequently, during the Han Dynasty (200 BCE – 220 CE), references emerge to the pain-relieving properties of cannabis attributed to the renowned surgeon Hua Tuo. His application of “máyóu,” an oil infused with cannabis resin, datura, and wine, enabled painless surgical procedures.
Cannabis in India: Sacred Medicine and Ayurveda
The Atharva Veda, a sacred collection of Sanskrit writings dating back to at least 800 BCE, venerates cannabis as one of five hallowed plants, intertwining its medicinal applications with religious and ritualistic practices. Recognized as a source of joy, happiness, and liberation, cannabis assumed a revered status.
The Susrita Samhita, a cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine from around 800 BCE, expounds on the multifaceted therapeutic properties of cannabis. It served as an appetite stimulant, pain alleviator, anesthetic, anticonvulsant, and antiparasitic, among other roles.
Bhang, a concoction of cannabis, warm milk, nuts, and spices, not only provided relief from various ailments but was also favored by the deity Shiva. It remains a cherished remedy and a sanctified element during festivals like Holi.
Ganja, involving the smoking of female flowers, and charas, rolled hashish balls, persist in contemporary usage, albeit discreetly.
Ancient Egypt: Shemshemet and Beyond
Historical accounts affirm that cannabis found its way to Egypt from Central Asia, with medical papyri from 1550 BCE extolling its anti-inflammatory properties and assistance in childbirth. Ingeniously, the Egyptians administered cannabis via multiple routes - oral, dermal, rectal, vaginal, and ocular.
The term “shemshemet” recurrent in Egyptian hieroglyphs is thought to signify a plant dual-purposed for rope-making and medicinal applications, very likely hemp. Remnants of the plant have been discovered in royal tombs, including those of Akhenaten and Ramses II.
Scythians: The Pioneers of Cannabis Vapor Baths
Around 600 BCE – 400 CE, the Scythians, nomadic denizens of Central Asia, pioneered a practice reminiscent of the world’s inaugural hot box. Herodotus, the Greek historian, chronicled this “Scythian vapor bath,” an immersive experience involving cannabis and heated rocks.
Noteworthy is the “Siberian Ice Maiden,” an ancient mummy from approximately 500 BCE discovered in the Altai Mountains. Accompanying her was a pouch of cannabis, potentially employed to alleviate her breast cancer. Additionally, two golden bongs, dating back to 600 BCE, are attributed to the Scythians.
Cannabis in Greece and Rome: Dioscorides, Pliny, and Galen
In antiquity, Greeks and Romans harnessed cannabis for the fabrication of ropes and sails. The earliest extant mention of medicinal cannabis among the Greeks is found in De materia medica by the physician Dioscorides (circa 1st century CE). Dioscorides extolled cannabis for treating earaches, providing specific instructions for its preparation from young, green seeds.
Pliny the Elder, in his Naturalis Historia (77 CE), further lauded cannabis for alleviating joint pain, gout, and burns.
Galen, physician to Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (2nd century CE), cautioned against the overconsumption of hemp seed cakes at banquets, noting their potential to induce relaxation, hilarity, and euphoria, alongside side effects like thirst, lethargy, and impaired digestion.
Hashish in the Arab and Persian Worlds: Avicenna’s Legacy
In the realms once belonging to the Roman Empire, Arabic scholars al-Mayusi (circa 1000 CE) and al-Badri (15th century CE) championed cannabis as an efficacious remedy for epilepsy. Avicenna, the eminent Persian scholar, featured cannabis prominently in his celebrated Canon of Medicine (1025 CE), touting its efficacy in relieving pain, treating gout, edema, infectious wounds, and eye inflammation.
Persian scholars discerned the biphasic effects of cannabis at varying doses, recognizing its potential for both positive and possibly adverse outcomes.
The genesis of the first cannabis edible, mahjoun, is attributed to Morocco. This delectable treat combines figs, dates, and hash, embellished with an array of flavors including honey, rosewater, sea salt, turmeric, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, and lavender.
Cannabis in Africa: A Cultural Integration
East Africa likely encountered cannabis through interactions with India and the Middle East facilitated by Arabic traders, a relationship traceable back to at least the 1400s. In Brazil, cannabis became an integral aspect of the enslaved African culture, potentially introduced from West Africa, notably Angola.
Weed's Arrival in Europe: Influences of Scythians and Maritime Trade
Cannabis may have traversed Europe through the Scythians, potentially along the Bronze Road, later known as the Silk Road. Hemp residues unearthed in Germanic burials dating back to 500 BCE provide additional evidence.
Between the 8th and 15th centuries CE, as cannabis journeyed from Central Asia to the Middle East, Arabic traders are believed to have propagated its cultivation across North Africa and into Spain, regions then under various Arab or Berber dominions.
The Anglo-Saxon Old English Herbarium, originating in the 11th century CE, stands as one of the earliest written accounts of cannabis use in Europe. It extols cannabis for its anesthetic and analgesic properties, along with its efficacy in addressing gout, urinary infections, childbirth difficulties, and weight management.
Hildegard von Bingen, a polymathic figure in medieval Europe, highlighted cannabis in her 12th century medical writings. Additionally, in 1484, Pope Innocent VIII issued a papal bull condemning the plant. Nevertheless, several maritime republics chose to overlook this decree, given their reliance on cannabis fiber for ropes and sails. Throughout the Italian Renaissance, cannabis found utility in papermaking and canvas production.
The Tudor era in 16th century England bore witness to medicinal cannabis usage, reflecting its integration into the medical practices of the time.
Emergence of Psychoactive Cannabis in Europe
The recreational consumption of cannabis, especially in the form of hashish, gained prominence in Europe following Napoleon’s 1798 campaign in Egypt, where French troops were encouraged to partake in its use. This return of the plant to Europe spurred its widespread utilization for diverse therapeutic purposes.
Cannabis Ventures to the Americas
Cannabis made its way to the Americas through various avenues. The Spanish are credited with introducing it following their conquests that commenced in 1492.
In North America, hemp made its initial appearance in the early 1500s, thanks to Hernán Cortés and his Spanish contingent in Mexico. A prosperous venture in hemp cultivation initiated by Pedro Cuadrado was curtailed in 1550 by a Spanish governor due to the diversion of the plant towards recreational use.
In the 13 American colonies, King James I of England advocated for hemp cultivation in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1611. Hemp became a cherished commodity among colonists for its multifaceted utility in ropes, sails, clothing, textiles, and other applications.
South America, particularly Brazil, saw the introduction of cannabis, possibly via enslaved Africans, around the 16th century. Following the abolition of slavery in British colonies in 1834, Indian indentured laborers potentially furthered the diffusion of cannabis to the Caribbean. In this context, the term “ganja,” originating in India, gained popularity, notably in Jamaica, a British colony at the time.
Medical Cannabis in the Western World: 19th Century Rediscovery
The 19th century witnessed a resurgence of interest in cannabis. In 1839, Irish doctor William O’Shaughnessy’s publication "On the Preparations of the Indian Hemp, or Gunjah" introduced Western medicine to the plant's therapeutic potential. O’Shaughnessy’s experiments in India underscored cannabis’ efficacy in treating conditions such as rheumatism, convulsions, tetanus, and rabies-related spasms.
French psychiatrist Jacques-Joseph Moreau explored the potential of hashish in treating mental illnesses, authoring the work "Hashish and Mental Illness." Their contributions profoundly influenced Western medicine.
The latter half of the 19th century witnessed a surge in cannabis studies, prompting pharmaceutical companies in the US and Europe to develop and market cannabis tinctures. These medicines, claiming efficacy across a spectrum of ailments, became readily accessible to the public.
The Shift: Cannabis Prohibition in the 20th Century
Toward the end of the 19th and the dawn of the 20th century, attitudes towards cannabis began to change. Many countries, notably the United States, initiated measures to outlaw the plant.
Final thoughts
In tracing the epic journey of cannabis through the annals of human history, we find a tale woven with threads of healing, cultural integration, and societal transformation. From its origins in Central Asia to its dispersion across continents, cannabis has played an integral role in shaping civilizations. Its ancient roots in China and India, the innovative practices of the Scythians, and its integration into cultures across Africa, Europe, and the Americas attest to its enduring significance. As we navigate the modern landscape of cannabis, we do so with a deeper appreciation for the profound legacy it carries—a legacy that continues to evolve, intertwining its growth with the ever-changing tapestry of human experience.