History of Cannabis

History of Marijuana: A Timeline

 

• 2737 BCE – Earliest Recorded Use

 Emperor Shen Nong of China is believed to be the first to document the medicinal use of cannabis in ancient texts, using it for  pain relief, inflammation, and various ailments.

• 1000 BCE – Spread Through Asia

Cannabis use spreads through the ancient civilizations of Central Asia and India, where it is often used in religious rituals and as an analgesic.

• 500 BCE – Hemp in the Mediterranean

Cannabis cultivation begins to spread into the Mediterranean region. The Greeks and Romans utilize hemp for textiles, ropes, and sails.

• 200 BCE to 100 CE – Indian and Middle Eastern Use

In India, cannabis becomes associated with religious rituals and spiritual practices, particularly in Hinduism, where it is used to honor the god Shiva. In the Middle East, cannabis is used medicinally and recreationally, as mentioned in ancient Arabic texts.

• 1500s CE – Cannabis in the Americas

Spanish colonists bring hemp seeds to the Americas, where the plant is cultivated for its fibrous stalks, used for textiles, rope, and other materials. Cannabis is not yet widely used for its psychoactive effects.

• 1600s CE – Colonial Use

Cannabis is cultivated in the American colonies for industrial hemp. It is also used for medicinal purposes, but it is not yet widely recognized for its psychoactive effects.

• 1800s CE – Introduction of Marijuana for Medicinal Use in the West

Cannabis begins to be used more extensively as a medicinal drug in Europe and the United States, where it is prescribed for pain, insomnia, and various other ailments. The active ingredient, THC, is not yet isolated.

• 1850-1940 – Cannabis in Popular Medicine

Cannabis tinctures, oils, and extracts are sold in pharmacies across the U.S. as remedies for numerous medical conditions. During this time, marijuana is also used recreationally, particularly in Mexico and the southwestern United States.

• 1906 – The Pure Food and Drug Act

The U.S. government passes the Pure Food and Drug Act, which requires labeling of ingredients in medicines, including cannabis. The cannabis plant begins to face increasing regulation.

• 1910-1930s – The Mexican Immigration Wave and Marijuana Use

Following the Mexican Revolution, large numbers of Mexican immigrants bring cannabis (marijuana) with them into the U.S., where it becomes associated with their culture. Marijuana use grows in popularity, particularly in jazz and bohemian circles.

• 1930s – The "Marijuana Menace" Campaign

Amid growing concerns about immigration and social change, anti-marijuana sentiment spreads in the U.S., particularly with the rise of propaganda films such as Reefer Madness. Marijuana becomes linked to crime, delinquency, and race-based fears. The Federal Bureau of Narcotics, led by Harry Anslinger, campaigns for a nationwide ban.

• 1937 – Marihuana Tax Act

The U.S. government passes the Marihuana Tax Act, effectively criminalizing cannabis. This marks the beginning of strict federal prohibition and widespread stigmatization of marijuana use.

• 1940s-1950s – Continued Prohibition and Research

Despite the ban, cannabis continues to be used, especially in countercultures and certain minority communities. However, research into marijuana's medicinal uses is largely suppressed due to its criminalization.

• 1960s – The Counterculture Movement

Marijuana use becomes more widespread, especially among the youth and counterculture movements during the 1960s. The plant becomes a symbol of rebellion and political dissent during protests against the Vietnam War and in the growing civil rights movement.

• 1970 – Controlled Substances Act

The U.S. government classifies marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, declaring it to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, which further intensifies prohibition.

• 1990s – Medical Marijuana Movement

Growing evidence of marijuana’s medicinal properties, particularly in the treatment of cancer-related nausea, pain, and epilepsy, begins to gain traction. In 1996, California becomes the first state to legalize medical marijuana with the passage of Proposition 215.

• 2000s – Shift Toward Legalization

The early 2000s see a shift in public opinion toward the decriminalization of marijuana. Several states, including Colorado, Washington, and Oregon, begin passing laws to allow medical marijuana, followed by broader discussions on legalizing marijuana for recreational use.

• 2012 – First States Legalize Recreational Marijuana

Colorado and Washington become the first U.S. states to legalize recreational marijuana. Other states follow suit, and by the mid-2020s, over 20 states have legalized cannabis for recreational use.

• 2018 – Farm Bill Legalizes Hemp

The U.S. government passes the 2018 Farm Bill, legalizing hemp cultivation nationwide. This bill separates hemp (low-THC cannabis) from marijuana and enables the growth of a hemp-based industry, particularly for CBD products.

• 2020s – Global Trends and Ongoing Legalization

As public perception continues to shift, cannabis legalization expands globally. Countries like Canada legalize recreational marijuana, and other nations—including many in Europe and Latin America—decriminalize or move toward medical cannabis legalization. In the U.S., the push for full federal legalization intensifies, while states continue to expand both medical and recreational cannabis markets.

 

This timeline highlights how marijuana's historical use has evolved from a medicinal and industrial crop to a highly regulated and now increasingly legalized substance in many parts of the world.