When Was Weed Discovered? Here is a Complete Background

Cannabis, also known as weed, has a long history of human use. According to records, the earliest use dates back to around 5000 BCE. Many people in Asia used to cultivate weed solely for healthcare purposes, while others used it for its fibers.

In fact, in 2800 BC, weed was used to treat various health problems and was also a major part of Emperor Shen Nung’s medicines. If you are excited to learn about the history of weed, this article is for you. Dig in as we take you through the whole journey.

The Discovery of Weed

Weed was first discovered in Taiwan and China around 5000 BCE. Initially, it was cultivated solely for its strong fiber, which was used to make rope and textiles. However, many people started using the seeds of weed as a food source, accelerating its popularity across Central Asia.

Between 2000 BCE and 500 CE, weed became quite known for its health benefits. The plant’s medicinal properties helped it become known in ancient Egypt, China, and India. It was proven to treat all sorts of pain and inflammation.

Additionally, in India, weed or cannabis became an integral component in various religious rituals. People started consuming it as ‘bhang,’ an infamous drink still consumed at many Hindu events.

How Did Cannabis Spread Globally?

Weed didn’t become a global plant in a day. At first, it may have been unknowingly spread by humans.

This may have been achieved by clearing vegetation for new settlements and collecting food scraps in waste dumps. These basic yet fruitful practices might have given weeds the soil and a sunny atmosphere to survive and thrive.

However, many believe that weed was officially spread through the Silk Route, connecting China to the Middle East and Europe. Many ancient civilizations, such as the Persians, used weed for recreational and ritual purposes.

In fact, it was introduced as an intoxicant with hashish in the Middle East, becoming popular in the Islamic culture around 1000 CE.

The Modern Expansion of Weed

From the 16th to 19th century, weed spread quite further through colonization and European exploration expeditions. Many Spanish settlers helped bring weed to America, where it was finally used for hemp production. By the end of the 1800s, weed became quite popular in North America and Europe for its medicinal properties.

In fact, cannabis tinctures grew immense popularity in Western pharmacies during the 19th century. One of the Irish physicians, William O’Shaughnessy, made weed popular by properly researching it in India and then bringing it back to Europe for the treatment of muscle spasms and epilepsy.

Weed’s Prohibition

Despite all the benefits this world was enjoying via weed, it was considered illegal in many parts of the world in the 20th century. This was done in response to many political, economic, and social reasons.

For instance, at the beginning of the 20th century, weed use was often associated with Mexican and African immigrants in the USA. Between 1910 and 1920, many immigrants from Mexico brought weed to the USA for mainly medicinal and recreational purposes. Since many people were against these immigrants then, weed was usually linked to negative aspects of such communities.

There was a lot of racial bias that helped make weed an enemy. The plant was linked to crimes, violent behavior, and the overall moral decay of immigrants.

All of these sentiments pushed authorities to put cannabis laws into practice. They used these laws to discriminate against all the minority groups.

Many popular industrialists also played a role in banning cannabis for good. They had economic motives, as weed was considered a solid competitor for timber. They pushed the media to publish stories against cannabis use by associating it with crime, violence, and insanity.

Moreover, in the 1960s, cannabis became linked with the civil rights movement and Vietnam War protests. The hippie generation adapted its recreational side to use it for creativity and relaxation. This made weed come under strict government scrutiny.

Is Weed Still Illegal?

The answer may vary between regions. In the late 20th century, people redeveloped their interest in weed strains, especially for medical purposes.

In 1996, California became the number one state in the USA to legalize cannabis for health. Today, multiple US states and countries globally have successfully legalized the use of this plant.

In fact, only recently, some parts of the USA, Uruguay, and Canada, also use weed lawfully for recreational purposes. It is pretty easy now to buy weed from pharmacies or grow your own in your backyard.

Many countries, such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and Germany, only allow weed for medicinal purposes. In these regions, the recreational use of this plant remains illegal.

However, some countries still consider it illegal. For instance, in Japan, using cannabis may lead to prison time.

In Singapore, you may face the death penalty for possessing or trafficking weed. The same goes for countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Russia.

The Future of Weed

The future of weed looks pretty bright, especially due to its medicinal purposes. Today, many countries are evolving their attitudes towards this plant and are experimenting to legalize it to save lives.

The growth of the cannabis industry is also pretty impressive. With the introduction of new cultivation and innovation techniques, it is apparent that the weed industry will not slow down any time soon. In fact, as per specific projections, global weed sales may increase to as high as $57 billion by 2026.

A plant discovered so long ago and considered illegal is now a popular component of many medicines globally. It looks like its use may continue to develop for many years to come.

Takeaway

Weed has a long history. It started with simple cultivation, which has led to mass production around the globe.

That’s because it can potentially make game-changing advancements in the health industry. However, more research is required to understand this plant’s purpose. Until then, keep reading and learning more about it to discover its main purpose in the world.