A History Of Cannabis An Introduction To Its Past Present And Future

Cannabis is one of the oldest plants in human history. For hundreds or even thousands of years, it has been used as a drug or food, and eventually, even clothing could be made of it. This plant may have controversies in the present, but the history of cannabis is exoteric. Whether it is civilization’s earliest drugs or today’s medical marijuana, cannabis has seen it all and evolved through cultures and ages. So, where do we start? In today’s piece, we will talk about the origin of cannabis, its current state, and what awaits this plant in the future. Ready? Then, let’s hit the ground running.

What Is Cannabis?

Before we start, let’s get clear on what cannabis is. Cannabis is a plant; this plant’s scientific name is cannabis sativa. The plant comprises several compounds, which include THC, which is tetrahydrocannabinol, and CBD, which is cannabidiol. THC is the part that is the cause for making human beings ‘high’ while CBD, which is one of the non-psychoactive compounds, is known for its medicinal benefits.

Cannabis is enjoyed by both medical and recreational users, as these three varieties come with a strong suit of different benefits and experiences:

• Indica: Relaxing effects.
• Sativa: Energizing and creativity-boosting effects.
• Hybrid: A mix of both strains.

The Origins of Cannabis

According to records, the use of cannabis can be observed around 5000 B.C.E. in China. Due to its many purposes, such as medicine, food, clothing, and even religious practices, people have been growing the plant for ages. 

But here’s an interesting tidbit: “Canvas” is derived from the word “cannabis,” as it used to be made from hemp and used for bags and roped on ships.

Emperor Shen Nung, in 2737 B.C.E., was the first known Chinese to use cannabis. He used it for the treatment of many ailments, such as gout and malaria, as well as rheumatism, in his texts. By 1000 B.C.E., cannabis was increasingly utilized in India as a drink made from the leaves and flowers, which was used in many religious ceremonies and is referred to as 'Bhang'. The Egyptians knew about the medicinal properties of cannabis around 1550 B.C.E. when they mentioned it in the Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest medical books on record.

Cannabis in the Middle Ages.

Through the ages, cannabis started to find new homes around the globe, including in Africa, Europe, and the Americas. In the medieval period, it was largely harnessed as a remedy and for its hemp to be made into clothes and papers. But there are instances that portray otherwise. In 1533, the English King Henry VIII actually compelled farmers to grow hemp in order to improve the nation’s economy.

Around the 17th century, European settlers to the USA brought along cannabis with them, mainly for making ropes and fabrics. After that, moving to the 1800s, cannabis was frequently used as a drug with therapeutic values. By the year 1850, it was fully recognized in the United States Pharmacopeia, which is a sanctioned book consisting of medical standards. 

Cannabis was also prescribed for a myriad of diseases, from headaches to nausea, and was commercially available for purchase through drug stores. The plant also found its way to Mexico, which now integrated it into their folk medicine. Its link to “smoking marijuana," however, develops controversy about its legality across the United States.

Cannabis in the 20th Century

Within the 20th century, Lynn Novack and Darrell F. McCarthy noticed that the era experienced a drastic change from the decades when cannabis was widely used to its prohibition. Political and racial aspects played a significant role in influencing this change. For instance, during the Mexican Revolt in the 1910's, several Mexicans migrated along with their 'cannabis', which popularized its recreational use. But because of this, they developed a dislike for the Mexican culture and cannabis.

In the 1930s, on July 1, 1937, the marijuana tax act was passed. It required anyone who wanted to possess or sell cannibals to purchase a special tax stamp that was almost impossible to get. This made cannabis on the verge of being banned. From the 1950s to the 1970s, cannabis began to represent the counterculture and countermovements against suppression, which strict measures such as the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 followed, lumping “cannabis” in the same group of narcotics as heroin and LSD.

Cannabis in Modern Times

As more and more American citizens begin to support legalizing cannabis for medicinal use, it has become a topic of extensive discussion owing to its medical benefits, political controversies, and popular struggles.   

In 2005, a novel movement began, focusing on the medical advantages of cannabis. That year, California became the first state to allow the use of marijuana ever since the use of medical cannabis has expanded fast owing to the number of people who focus on using it for pain and other illnesses such as epilepsy and anxiety. 

The year 2018 partially restored Congress’ Defenses Over Sea, including Epidiolex, an advertisement for exclusive CBD medicine that works effectively for those who have epilepsy. Cannabis has since been legalized in more US states and globally for secular purposes. At the end of 2023, there are 38 states, and 23 states allow the use of both income and research marijuana, respectively. In 2018, Canada became the first country to lift a ban on the use of controlled substances.

The Global Landscape

Such laws concerning cannabis can be pretty puzzling as they are not universal. Each nation-state has its policies, and they may vary quite widely.

Thus, in the Netherlands, people are allowed to buy and use cannabis products in "coffee shops,” which are designated places where cannabis smokers are permitted to smoke cannabis or to consume cannabis cookies and cannabis brownies. It's been like this for quite a long time, and everybody knows the Netherlands is liberal in terms of cannabis consumption.

In the case of Thailand, a lot changed only recently. In 2022, the government stated that there will be no sanctions against people who consume cannabis. This was a huge advancement because it is the very first country on the Asian continent to carry out such a step.

Some other nations are still pondering the course of action to take. In the case of Mexico, cannabis is already legal for medical use, and law makers are now arguing whether it should be legalized for everyone. So far, the same scenario applies to Germany, which also has plans to make cannabis available for adults. They assert that it will allow for the improvement of the state of the economy and tackle issues such as illegal trade, which has not been cleared.

Other countries, such as Canada or Uruguay, now allow both medical and recreational usage of cannabis. This means that adults can go out and buy cannabis and use it without the fear of breaking the law. 

However, it is not simply the same in every region. Some countries have gone to the extent of making it a crime whereby such persons are jailed as a result of possession or usage of the substance. As an example, Singapore has pretty tough laws, and the use of cannabis is totally prohibited.

On the whole class 6, the world stage is changing its perception towards cannabis gradually. More of the countries are considering it as a substance that could heal patients and serve as an economic booster, as well as solve the crime issue in their countries. This, however, is a long haul, and each country is trying to solve it in their own manner.

The Science Behind Cannabis

Cannabis appears to impact the endocannabinoid system, which is referred to as a cell signaling system within one’s body with the capacity to regulate mood, appetite, pain, and memory, among other body functions.  

Some scientific studies have indicated that chronic pain, inflammation, sleep disorders, and even anxiety can be treated with cannabis. However, there are risks as well, which include impaired judgment, addiction, long-term effects on the brain, especially among youth, etc. The World Health Organization (WHO) also adds that due to its risks, more of its advantages and disadvantages should be taken into consideration as further studies are needed.

Cannabis and Society

Cannabis legalization activists do not seek legal doctrines alone because they want to fight for the health, race, and economy as well. Activists point out racial inequalities, like the disproportionate number of cannabis-related arrests, which legalization movements say should be addressed with expungement in further legalization clauses and that fair conditions will be provided to the cannabis market. At the same time, it has been well established that legal cannabis markets generated billions of tax revenues, and in one year, in the US alone, revenues reached over $27 billion by 2022, providing job opportunities for thousands as well.

The Future of Cannabis

In the coming times, cannabis does seem to get secular growth, but with a few complications as well.

Further explorations are also ongoing, looking at how cannabis can also be beneficial in the management of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and even various types of cancer. There is also a movement to legalize it at the federal level in the United States, which would allow the establishment of a controlled market similar to that of the tobacco or alcohol industries. Mexico, Germany, and South Africa are also about to undergo major changes in the legal system.

Analysts are suggesting that the cannabis industry will be worth as much as $73.6 billion in 2027. The growth of the industry is not only confined to dispensaries; it is branching out to other product lines, which include consumables, tinctures, and even skincare products.

Conclusion

Cannabis isn’t merely a plant; it personifies a way of life, a healing medium, and an agent of socio-legal transformation. Its timeline, from ancient Chinese civilization to modern-day marijuana pharmacies, has been a complex one. While efforts to educate others on cannabis's various aspects continue to be emphasized, the word cannabis will remain in treaties, studies, and discussions concerning law and society for the decades to come. Medicinal, sociopolitical, or financial, cannabis’s influence on our world will be irreversible; of that, we can be sure.