History of Marijuana

Cannabis has long been one of nature’s most celebrated plants due to its powerful healing properties and mind-altering effects. In fact, the use of marijuana dates all the way back to 2800 BC, where it was first used in traditional Chinese medicine according to the earliest written evidence that we have. However, there is no reason to think that the plant would not have been consumed prior to the creation of this ancient document.

At Happy Tree Buds, we are fascinated by the earliest uses of this incredible plant, and how marijuana products have evolved over time. Continue reading to learn a brief history of cannabis in the past 5000 years.

International origins

Early evidence of marijuana use has been discovered across the globe due to the plant’s ability to grow on a large scale, in a variety of climates. Not only did ancient Chinese Emperor Shen Nung highlight the plant as a part of his pharmacopeia, but cannabis was also showing up in Hindu legends, and in an ancient Greek medical text by the famous physician, Galen. In this text, Galen not only spoke about the plant’s healing powers, but he also pointed to its enjoyable effects on the mind.

Early scientific research

After thousands of years of marijuana use across the planet, the late 1800s came with a number of exciting breakthroughs in the scientific literature surrounding cannabinoids. At this time, research groups began distilling and isolating various components of the plant, creating the first ever marijuana terpene made from pure cannabinol. This early research sparked a new area of focus in the scientific community, where researchers were especially interested in the potential for cannabis to be used for a variety of medical treatments. Unfortunately however, it was not long before this research came to a halt due to the changing societal view on marijuana.

Further development of cannabinoids

Today, the two most widely recognized cannabinoids are known as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). These two components were each isolated for the first time in the 1900s. These exciting breakthroughs are an indication of the impressive body of research that was beginning to form at this time, and that would likely have been largely expanded had marijuana not been subject to social ridicule and eventually, legal restrictions.

Legal restrictions

As with any mind-altering substance, unfounded societal judgment started to emerge in the 20th century, after many people began using marijuana recreationally. Particularly in the film industry, cannabis was starting to be depicted as a dangerous drug that could rapidly lead to addiction and other serious health consequences. This detracted from the plant’s historical roots as a widely celebrated natural healer. Marijuana’s growing association with rebellion and misbehavior at this time soon caught the attention of lawmakers around the world.

Attempts to outlaw marijuana use took place throughout North America in the early 20th century. In Canada, the plant was criminalized in 1923, where it was then illegal for nearly a century before the ban was finally lifted. In the United States, cannabis was first banned for recreational use in 1937, and later included in the Controlled Substances Act in 1970, which prohibited use in both medical and recreational capacities.

Counterculture

When many of us think of the 1970s, getting high is one of the first things that springs to mind. The Vietnam War was one of the primary reasons why the hippie era came to be. During this time, many young people leaned into the idea of peace, human connection, spirituality, and our relationship with nature. It is no surprise then, that many people were drawn to marijuana, which was well-known for its ability to calm the senses, connect people with the earth, and bring people together. This, along with the music, fashion, and divergent thinking at the time was very much in response to the brutality of the war. It was then that people across North America began rediscovering the beauty of this ancient plant and advocating for legalization.

Modern use

After Justin Trudeau was elected as Prime Minister of Canada in 2015, marijuana was finally made legal across the country just a few years later for both medical and recreational use. This decision likely came from a combination of social pressures, misuse of law enforcement, as well as the growing body of research surrounding the potential health benefits of marijuana. We have also seen the gradual legalization of marijuana in the United States, with independent government bodies creating their own restrictions.

As a result of legalization, cannabis is now being used to treat health problems such as chronic pain and insomnia and is known to aid in the treatment of various mental health disorders such as chronic anxiety and depression. People across North America now have access to safely grown, government-approved cannabis products that come in a wide range of forms such as THC and CBD terpenes, edibles, and flowers. We are even starting to see the use of these substances in skincare and cosmetics. As predicted by thought leaders thousands of years ago, the possibilities are virtually endless with this plant.

If you are looking for some of the best cannabis products on the market, browse our selection and buy online today!