Marijuana's History: How One Plant Spread Through the World

Interesting time line for the spread of cannabis, I wish there was more specifics on when it was used medicinally, spiritually and for use as a tool (ie cordage).

From the sites where prehistoric hunters and gatherers lived, to ancient China and Viking ships, cannabis has been used across the world for ages, and a new report presents the drug's colorful history
In the report, author Barney Warf describes how cannabis use originated thousands of years ago in Asia, and has since found its way to many regions of the world, eventually spreading to the Americas and the United States..

Cannabis plants are believed to have evolved on the steppes of Central Asia, specifically in the regions that are now Mongolia and southern Siberia, according to Warf. The history of cannabis use goes back as far as 12,000 years, which places the plant among humanity's oldest cultivated crops, according to information in the book "Marihuana: The First Twelve Thousand Years" (Springer, 1980).

*How did marijuana get to the United States? After this really long "trip" throughout the pre-modern and modern worlds, cannabis finally came to the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. It arrived in the southwest United States from Mexico, with immigrants fleeing that country during the Mexican Revolution of 1910-1911. "Many early prejudices against marijuana were thinly veiled racist fears of its smokers, often promulgated by reactionary newspapers," Warf wrote in his report. "Mexicans were frequently blamed for smoking marijuana, property crimes, seducing children and engaging in murderous sprees."

*Not sure about the hypothesis that Marijuana came to the US of A at the beginning of the 20th century, I thought it went back to colonial times.

source

a reply to: AlaskanDad

America's founding fathers, such as Washington and Jefferson, grew hemp, but I think it is unclear if they also used the flowering marijuana. Hemp was around in the U.S. long before the 20th century.

a reply to: AlaskanDad

It's been around for ages - here is a 2700 year old bag of MJ


www.oddee.com...
www.nbcnews.com...-HwkeOSzCs

Nearly two pounds of still-green plant material found in a 2,700-year-old grave in the Gobi Desert has just been identified as the world's oldest marijuana stash, according to a paper in the latest issue of the Journal of Experimental Botany.
A barrage of tests proves the marijuana possessed potent psychoactive properties and casts doubt on the theory that the ancients only grew the plant for hemp in order to make clothing, rope and other objects.

Some Counties had laws forcing you to grow an acre of Hemp.

What do you think was in the Natives Peace Pipes ?

It is a miraculous plant. However, it's not a cure all.

originally posted by: AlaskanDad

Interesting time line for the spread of cannabis, I wish there was more specifics on when it was used medicinally, spiritually and for use as a tool (ie cordage).

I ran across this a few minutes ago. Interesting piece (with videos) on cannabis in ancient India and Vedic ritual:

Bhang: Entheogenic Use of Cannabis in India

Bhang, the Holy Drink of Lord Shiva, is LEGALLY sold in India and its use is not restricted to the Sages and Holy Men (Sadhus) who have renounced the material world to maintain singular focus on Shiva, for everything is Shiva in the eyes of an initiated Shaivite. All bhakti (devotion) finally leads the bhakt (devotee) towards the realization of absolute oneness with the deity, whoever the deity might be. The use of Cannabis in the form of Bhang is deeply rooted in the Indian culture and has references in the Vedas as well. The Atharva Veda, estimated to have been written sometime around 2000 – 1400 BC, mentions Cannabis to be one of the five sacred plants and the guardian angel resides in its leaves.

In Tibet, this plant has been traditionally considered sacred. According to one Mahayana Buddhist tradition, the Buddha, in his last six years of ascetism before enlightenment, subsisted on one Cannabis seed a day.

In Tantric Buddhism this plant is consumed to heighten ones awareness during certain rituals. A gift from the gods, according to Indian mythology, the magical Cannabis “lowered fevers, fostered sleep, relieved dysentery, and cured other illnesses. It also stimulated appetite, prolonged life, quickened the mind, and improved judgement.”

Humanity has known the benefits for thousands of years, yet our society is only now beginning to break through the propaganda front established by corporations and social engineers. It shows you how powerful that machine can be when deployed in full force.

And it makes you wonder what other "old knowledge" has been propagandized into social stigma.

It was a useful medicinal herb for thousands of years, and it has been illegal for less than a century.

Did ancient Siberian princess use cannabis to cope with breast cancer? The Siberian Ice Maiden, also known as the Princess of Ukok and the Altai Princess of Ochi-Bala, is a 2,500-year-old mummy of a woman found in 1993 in a kurgan (mound) of the Pazyryk culture in the Republic of Altai, Russia. Her discovery was considered to be among the most significant Russian archaeological findings of the late 20th century. Now, revolutionary new scientific research, reported in The Siberian Times, has revealed that the young woman died from breast cancer, and suffered numerous other ailments. The research team suggests that this may explain the pouch of cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, found by her body, which she may have used to cope with the symptoms of her illness.

source

originally posted by: whyamIhere
Some Counties had laws forcing you to grow an acre of Hemp.

What do you think was in the Natives Peace Pipes ?

It is a miraculous plant. However, it's not a cure all.

It is a cure "most" however!

originally posted by: NthOther

originally posted by: AlaskanDad


And it makes you wonder what other "old knowledge" has been propagandized into social stigma.

The Science of Astrology.

edit on 10/19/2014 by Starling because: (no reason given)

In response to..."And it makes you wonder what other "old knowledge" has been propagandized into social stigma"

edit on 10/19/2014 by Starling because: My response didn't reflect the quote I was responding to.

a reply to: whyamIhere
Sorry man,
But native Americans smoke mostly tobacco,
but that is not to say they didn't indulge in canibas.
8000 years ago native Californians were making clothing out of hemp fiber.

a reply to: whyamIhere

Not a cure all but quite close.

Yep :>)

originally posted by: Sublimecraft
a reply to: AlaskanDad

It's been around for ages - here is a 2700 year old bag of MJ

www.oddee.com...
www.nbcnews.com...-HwkeOSzCs

Nearly two pounds of still-green plant material found in a 2,700-year-old grave in the Gobi Desert has just been identified as the world's oldest marijuana stash, according to a paper in the latest issue of the Journal of Experimental Botany.
A barrage of tests proves the marijuana possessed potent psychoactive properties and casts doubt on the theory that the ancients only grew the plant for hemp in order to make clothing, rope and other objects.

I've got a mental image of pharaoh talking too Moses...."Duuuuuude...." "what's your problem maaan"

Thanks for this. I'd like to study more about it.



a reply to: EA006

Wow! I wonder if there were any seeds in it (didn't watch video yet though).

a reply to: whyamIhere

Not a cure-all, you're right. BUT it helps the mind deal with your symptoms, making life easier- and the mind is 98% of the battle!

(pulled that percentage right out of my pants)

there are many strains/varieties of cannabis,with three species Cannabis Sativa,Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Ruderalis
Cannabis Sativa, has very little thc ( the intoxicating part compared to the CBD the medical part), and is the main one used for hemp, it grows to 25 feet or taller. although some people have crossed sativa and indica to produce a taller more potent strain( intoxicating) it's not the same plants.


oh i forgot to say why i posted the above.
the princess probably was using for medicine and not recreational. seeing how Cannabis Ruderalis comes from that area.
a wiki cause it's fast.

C. ruderalis is a hardier variety grown in the northern Himalayas and southern states of the former Soviet Union, characterised by a more sparse, "weedy" growth. It is rarely cultivated for its THC content.
Cannabis ruderalis

edit on 20-10-2014 by hounddoghowlie because: (no reason given)

originally posted by: hounddoghowlie
there are many strains/varieties of cannabis,with three species Cannabis Sativa,Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Ruderalis
Cannabis Sativa, has very little thc.

C. ruderalis is a hardier variety grown in the northern Himalayas and southern states of the former Soviet Union, characterised by a more sparse, "weedy" growth. It is rarely cultivated for its THC content.
Cannabis ruderalis

Not true. Sativa's can be extremely potent.

Pure Sativa highs can often induce paranoia attacks and irregular heart beats so as a medicinal product Sativas are a rare choice. One of the positive effects of Sativas are their uplifting capabilities that may aid in depression and/or chronic fatigue syndrome.

Indica plants have by far the most narcotic, body stone and pain blocking qualities so they are highly coveted by medical patients with any sort of pain. As a result of their higher CBD levels they are also helpful as a sleeping aid for those suffering with insomnia.

Ruderalis is all but useless for medicinal/recreational purposes, until it is used for crossing purposes on a regular Sativa or Indica strain. The resulting "cross" will result in a slightly less potent plant but possesses one interesting property (for growers in reduced light/summer hours conditions), it flowers immediately.

Linky

a reply to: LightSpeedDriver

it is very true.

from the same wiki cuase it's fast.

Cannabis ruderalis strains are high in the cannabіnoid cannabidiol, so they are grown by some medical marijuana users.
Cannabis ruderalis

and another link

Cannabidiol — CBD— is a cannabis compound that has significant medical benefits, but does not make people feel “stoned” and can actually counteract the psychoactivity of THC. [/color]The fact that CBD-rich cannabis doesn’t get one high makes it an appealing treatment option for patients seeking anti-inflammatory, anti-pain, anti-anxiety, anti-psychotic, and/or anti-spasm effects without troubling lethargy or dysphoria.
What is CBD?

being she had breast cancer, and the plant is all but useless for getting high there is a high probably that it she was using it for a medicine to counter the pain and other symptoms.

here is another link.

Cannabis Sativa: Cannabis Sativa is a marijuana variety that likely originated in the Himalayan lowlands. The Sativa species is the tallest of the three cannabis species with outdoor plants reaching a height of 20 to 25 feet in height. Sativa is also less bushy than indica and can be grown closer together. Due to the height of this species, sativa has been utilized for its longer fibers since man began to cultivate it.(ie hemp) Sativa is now cultivated all around the world. THC from the sativa plant is generally lower when compared to the indica species while CBD is higher. This results in a sativa that produces a heady or more energetic high. The yield of the sativa plant is less than that of the indica plant. This is mostly due to the tall and spindly nature of the Cannabis Sativa species. Sativa also takes more time to mature and is best suited for growing outdoors.

Cannabis Indica: Cannabis Indica is a marijuana variety that likely originated in the Himalayan highlands. Indica is the bushiest of the three marijuana species and is in the middle of the three cannabis species when it comes to height. Plants grown outdoors will rarely exceed ten feet in height. The increased THC and decreased CBD in the indica species results in a much heavier stone that has more of a body high when compared to sativa. The yield of indica is greater than the sativa plant and it takes less time reach maturity.

Cannabis Ruderalis: First discovered in Eastern Europe (central Russia) by Russian botanist D.E. Janichevsky, this very short cannabis variety is known for its ability to grow in colder, harsher climates and its ability to switch from vegetative growth to flowering once it has grown 5 to 7 sets of leaves. What this means is that this plant can flower regardless of a change in light due to a shorter day. This plant grows only 24 inches tall at most. Certain breeders have created new cannabis varieties crossing ruderalis with indica and sativa in order to create a heavy budding plant that will grow in harsher conditions. Cannabis varieties crossed with ruderalis result in a lower THC count, however, the plants are shorter and mature quicker.

all three above come from here.Cannabis Varieties

to be fair there are thousands of page and sites that say thc is better and the same for CBD. but if you base it for just pure medical benefits without the psychoactive effects. in other words medicine that doesn't get you high. ruderalis fall under that.




ETA: the (ie hemp) is mine not the source.



ETA:Just one more wiki cause it's fast

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of at least 85 active cannabinoids identified in cannabis.[4] It is a major phytocannabinoid, accounting for up to 40% of the plant's extract.[5] CBD is considered to have a wider scope of medical applications than tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).[5] An orally-administered liquid containing CBD has received orphan drug status in the US, for use as a treatment for dravet syndrome, under the brand name Epidiolex.[6]

Decades ago, selective breeding by growers in US dramatically lowered the CBD content of cannabis; their customers preferred varietals that were more mind-altering due to a higher THC, lower CBD content.[26] To meet the demands of medical cannabis patients, growers are currently developing more CBD-rich strains.[27]

both of above come from,Cannabidiol

originally posted by: Hushabye

Not a cure-all, you're right. BUT it helps the mind deal with your symptoms, making life easier- and the mind is 98% of the battle!

While I don't disagree with some of the medical benefits, I don't think it should be prescribed to everyone, and there needs to be more education on it's psychoactive effects.

It really depends on the person, and his state of mind. For some, it might have ill effects, though temporary. And for almost all people, if used continuously, too often, can lead to a sort of depression.

a reply to: Sublimecraft


One could imagine that once upon a time..

Cavemen were making rope, bags and clothing out of Hemp and threw the then perceived Hemp refuse on the campfire...


The rest is as we say was "History"

*Soon there after 'Snacks' were invented

originally posted by: SLAYER69
a reply to: Sublimecraft


One could imagine that once upon a time..

Cavemen were making rope, bags and clothing out of Hemp and threw the then perceived Hemp refuse on the campfire...


The rest is as we say was "History"

*Soon there after 'Snacks' were invented

Interesting theory. But then, shamanic practices (and taking various substances)..is probably older even than things like agriculture...so we MAY speculate that drugs were actually taken before then for spiritual/religious purposes?

originally posted by: NoRulesAllowed

Interesting theory. But then, shamanic practices (and taking various substances)..is probably older even than things like agriculture...so

The Cavemen era supposedly predated the dawn of 'Agriculture' by a wide margin.

As far as the shaman, they had to find out somehow that when it was burned and inhaled it caused interesting affects.