The many restrictions, laws, and public judgment surrounding cannabis have you asking what is the origin of cannabis cultivation and its history to attract so many conspiracies and theories.
If you don’t know, marijuana is one of the oldest plants to be cultivated, dating back to 500 BCE from archaeological evidence.
Historical facts present ‘The Lord of Bhang’ as a title for a Hindu legend whose favorite food was cannabis, not forgetting historical listings of cannabis in 2800 BC in Emperor Shen Nung’s pharmacopeia.
With such interesting facts for a marijuana enthusiast, you want to know more. We explore the revolution of cannabis and its history to the present day.
Cannabis cultivation and its history stretching back thousands of years. From ancient medicine to modern-day recreational use, cannabis has been essential in human society throughout history.
In this blog post, introduction to cannabis cultivation and its history, we’ll look at the origins of cannabis cultivation, its global spread, its ancient uses, early restrictions, the liberalization and legalization movement, and where we are today.
So how do we get to the point of legalization of cannabis? Let’s find that out!
The Origin of Cannabis Cultivation and its History
Cannabis cultivation is thought to have originated in Central Asia, where it grew wild in the steppes of what is now modern-day Mongolia and southern Siberia—the first documented use of cannabis dates back to around 4000 BCE in modern-day Taiwan. From there, it spread throughout Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.
Although other historical facts date the weed to earlier existence, some are left to hearsay since these facts are scattered with no centralized source of verified information.
Ancient Uses of Cannabis
Cannabis has been used for various purposes throughout history, from medicine to religious rituals. Ancient cultures used cannabis to treat various ailments, including pain, inflammation, and anxiety. It was also used in spiritual practices, where it was believed to help people connect with the divine.
Early Restrictions
Because of its immense benefits, it was only natural that marijuana started to spread all over the globe. For the Japanese in the pre-Neolithic period, it was a source of food and fiber, but of course, it’s hard to miss the psychoactive component in weed!
In China, Hemp fiber dates back to the 5th Millenium BC among the Yangshao culture for pottery.
History traces roots in ancient Korea to 3000 BC and not forgetting the Hindu God Shiva for whom marijuana was his favorite food gaining him the name “Lord of Bang” in the BCs.
Cannabis history features men like Galen between 129-200 AD who used cannabis for mood enhancement and its therapeutic properties.
In 1936, the cannabis industry experienced a significant blow with the release of Reefer Madness, a film exposing marijuana as a highly addictive substance that caused violence and mental disorder. But, as we all know, films are a means of shifting the consciences of men to a particular direction of thinking, and you, in 2023, can still testify to the shift in consciousness indeed!
The USA didn’t wait for any further ado and, as of 1937, effectively taxed marijuana for both recreational and medical purposes out of existence by the Marijuana Tax Act.
Although men like William Brooke O’Shaughnessy in the 1840s wrote of the therapeutic benefits of marijuana, it didn’t hold so much water because in around 1970, the Controlled Substance Act was introduced, and it clearly stated marijuana having ‘no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.’
As cannabis spread worldwide, it was scrutinized by various governments and religious organizations. In the early 20th century, many countries began restricting cannabis use, citing concerns over its potential for abuse and addiction.
However, marijuana scientists didn’t give up. Instead, they isolated THC and CBD from marijuana, giving them a basis for an argument to legalize marijuana for the medical benefits of CBD with testimonies of recovery from different illnesses.
Liberalizing and Legalizing
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to liberalize and legalize cannabis use. As a result, many countries and states have decriminalized or legalized cannabis for medical and recreational use. This has led to a significant increase in cannabis cultivation and a thriving cannabis industry, with growers experimenting with new strains, cultivation methods, and products.
In 1996, California legalized medical cannabis, and several states followed suit. Human activists didn’t keep their guard down and advocated for marijuana rights.
So present day, you find states like California legally enjoying marijuana for medical and recreational benefits.
Other continents are also joining suit because, as of 2016, cannabis was legalized in Australia for medical benefits.
With so many people embracing and growing marijuana and then reaping the benefits, so much information is available online on the benefits of the weed. From statistics on legalization rates, it looks like there is a future for cannabis.
Parting Remarks on Cannabis Cultivation and its History
Cannabis cultivation and its history is complex and intertwined with human culture and society. While it has faced significant challenges throughout its history, it has continued to grow in popularity and acceptance.
As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how cannabis cultivation continues to evolve and shape our world. Whether for medicinal, spiritual, or recreational use, cannabis remains a fascinating and important plant with a rich and storied history.
We hope you loved reading about the introduction to cannabis cultivation and its history with us. Share our post and comment below. We would love to hear your opinions as well.