Marijuana Throughout History
Marijuana has been used since ancient civilization, and evidence of its use is found as early as 200 BC in China. In the ancient world, hemp was grown and harvested for its seeds, which were rich in protein, its oil and its fiber, which was used for making clothes. Hemp does not give the same high as other strains of marijuana, but it is a variety of the cannabis plant.
Other types of marijuana that could be used for medicinal purposes were grown shortly after hemp. The first evidence is found in China in 2700 BC where the Emperor, Shen Nung was said to have found out the healing properties of weed. The use of weed then spread throughout the world through trade, exploration, and war. Its use in the United Kingdom began in 1840, where it was apparently used by Queen Victoria to relieve menstrual cramps.
Marijuana and Current Events
The early 1990s saw the banning of marijuana across many states in the US, as at this time, the popular culture of smoking weed as joints and spliffs picked up, and more and more people started smoking marijuana without a prescription. This ban spread throughout the world, from the UK through the US and even by the then League of Nations. This was to curb the negative effects and addiction that was caused by the use of weed.
In 1930, a number of American companies started selling extracts of marijuana that had medicinal properties. These extracts were to be taken when prescribed by a doctor and for specific ailments. For this reason, a number of states regulated their marijuana laws to account for the use of marijuana as medicine.
A number of countries in the world, including Canada and a few states in the US, have legalized the personal use of marijuana. However, possession and cultivation are still illegal, but selling it for its medical purposes is legalized.