The History of Cannabis: From Medicinal Plant to Social Controversy
The History of Cannabis: From Medicinal Plant to Social Controversy
Cannabis has spanned centuries—from traditional remedy to global controversy. Explore its journey from ancient medicine to modern debate.
Often reduced today to its recreational use or legal controversy, cannabis has a rich, millennia-old history. From sacred plant to textile fiber, medicine to banned substance, its story is deeply intertwined with human societies. Here's a journey through time to better understand how this plant crossed borders—and sparked debate.
1. Antiquity: A Medicinal and Industrial Plant
Hemp (Cannabis sativa) is one of the earliest plants cultivated by humans:
- In ancient China (as early as 2700 BCE), it was used for textile fiber and for treating pain and digestive issues.
- In India, it played a role in spiritual rituals and was used in bhang, a traditional cannabis-infused drink.
- In ancient Egypt, its medicinal use is recorded in medical papyri.
👉 At the time, cannabis was seen as a versatile resource, useful for both health and industry.
2. Middle Ages & the Islamic World: Therapeutic and Spiritual Use
Cannabis spread through the Arab world in the form of hashish, often consumed in mystical (Sufi) or medicinal contexts. In medieval Europe, it continued to be cultivated as a textile hemp, with little mention of its psychoactive effects.
3. Renaissance to 19th Century: A Renewed Medical Interest
In the 19th century, European physicians (especially in France and the UK) rekindled interest in cannabis for its sedative, analgesic, and anti-epileptic properties.
- It featured in many Western pharmacopoeias.
- Cannabis-based products were sold in pharmacies until the 1930s.
4. 20th Century: Global Prohibition and Demonization
The turning point came in the 1930s:
- In the U.S., the Marihuana Tax Act (1937) marked the start of an anti-cannabis campaign linking it to crime.
- By the 1970s, cannabis was classified as a Schedule I drug, deemed to have no medical value.
- International treaties strengthened global prohibition—despite continued cultural use in some regions.
5. 21st Century: A Gradual Comeback
Since the 2010s, cannabis has experienced a global resurgence:
- Medical legalization in countries like Canada, Germany, and Israel
- Recreational legalization or decriminalization in Uruguay and many U.S. states
- A booming CBD market in Europe with non-psychoactive wellness products
Scientific research has resumed, with growing interest in cannabinoids like CBD, THC, and CBG for their medical potential.
The history of cannabis mirrors cultural, medical, and political shifts around the world. From sacred herb to banned drug—and now a research subject once again—its story shows how a substance can be viewed in vastly different ways across time and societies. Understanding this evolution helps us better navigate today’s cannabis debates.