Today, there is more to learn about the historical evolution of cannabis than just the history of its cultivation. Knowing the historical evolution of cannabis itself, you can also find out why it has become a part of mainstream culture and the lives of the people who use it. There are a few reasons behind these things, which will be explored in this article.
Cannabis As A Part Of Stoner Subculture
Firstly, it can be argued that cannabis is one of the first drugs to ever be recognized as a part of certain social groups in Western society, as well as of the ‘stoner’ subculture. Cannabis is accepted as a stimulant for its use in party-like settings, and is seen as a way to give people something to do in order to pass the time while in the midst of things.
Marijuana has now become an integral part of many cultures, with cannabis being legalized in many countries throughout the world. This has led to its use being acknowledged as something that is socially acceptable. Of course, in other societies, it would have been illegal, but as it is, the use of cannabis is widespread in many areas.
Cannabis Laws
Leaf Nation explains the legal places to smoke cannabis. Cannabis laws vary from one state to another in the United States. Cannabis is decriminalized in 32 states, which means that those in possession of cannabis for personal use in decriminalized states will not face arrest, a criminal record, or prison time. Washington and Colorado were the first US states to legalize recreational cannabis use.
It is very difficult to talk about the history of cannabis without also discussing the various legal battles that have taken place over the years, and the struggles that the plant has had with governments who’ve tried to ban it in one form or another.
Here are the details of the history of cannabis in the United States:
- 1619: Virginia state passed a law that required hemp to be cultivated on every farm, which is believed to be the precursor of the 2018 Farm Bill.
- 1910: Weed began to take traction in the United States when the Mexican refugees brought cannabis as they escaped the Mexican Revolution. During that time, weed became a hit among the hipsters or the black jazz community.
- 1930s: The prohibition of cannabis was repealed during the Great Depression. In the 1930s, straight-laced bureaucrats searched for another target and they turned their attention to cannabis, which was mostly used by Mexicans and those who belong in the black communities.
- 1950s: Weed became the top public enemy because teenagers were given more freedom to drive cars, which paved way to all sorts of temptations, including cannabis use.
Medicinal Uses
Also, cannabis is becoming widely accepted for medicinal purposes, and this has led to its use being recognized as an effective treatment for a whole range of ailments. This has led to thousands of people turning to cannabis for relief from ailments, such as arthritis, depression, anxiety, and even chronic conditions, such as cancer and HIV.
Here are the good-to-know facts about the timeline of cannabis use for medicinal purposes:
- 4000 BCE: The earliest evidence of weed cultivation was in China, when pollen deposits were discovered in the village of Pan-p’o.
- 980 to 1037 AD: Avicenna, a Persian physician, recorded marijuana as an effective treatment for severe headaches, infected wounds, gout, and edema.
- 1464: Arabic physicians wrote the therapeutic benefits of cannabis in treating epilepsy, as recorded in a case wherein the son of a chamberlain was cured using marijuana leaves.
- 1500s: Marijuana reached South America through the slave trade. During this time, Africans were transported along with cannabis seeds from Angola to Brazil.
World’s Perception Of Cannabis Today
Many countries perceive cannabis as a great alternative to traditional medicine, including Canada. On October 17, 2018, medicinal and recreational cannabis in Canada was legalized, which is known as the federal Cannabis Act. As of January 2019, the marijuana online sales for recreational use has been initiated through the government. Also, many provinces are now operating storefronts selling marijuana.
Take a look at the details of public opinions before this remarkable cannabis event:
- Since 1997, there have been an increasing number of Canadians who agree that smoking cannabis shouldn’t be a criminal offense.
- In June 2016, the Nanos Research conducted a national poll wherein seven out of ten Canadians were in favor of legalizing cannabis.
- By 2006, there was an increased number of cannabis users, despite the risk of being caught by police without cannabis license.
- In September 2016, there were about 100,000 Canadians who bought medical cannabis legally, which was a huge increase from the more than 30,537 Canadians in September 2015.
Conclusion
You can see how cannabis has changed in terms of how it has been perceived by society throughout years, and the many ways that cannabis is being used. These changes in the attitudes towards the cannabis plant mean that the history of cannabis is more widely known, and this has led to further developments in the medicinal use of cannabis.
