The History of Medicinal Cannabis
The history of medicinal cannabis
The history of cannabis is a broad one, with medicinal cannabis having roots as far back as 2800 BC, when there is evidence to suggest it was used for its potential wellness properties for a wide range of issues. While the first records of its use originate in central Asia and Western China, Greek historian Herodotus also refers to its usage, while archaeologists have discovered evidence of it being consumed in Jerusalem.
Separate findings suggest that hemp was grown in Roman Britain, although this was used as a fibre source for sails, fishing nets and clothing. The cannabis history timeline then quietens until later in the 16th century, early in the 17th century, when Spanish colonists start growing hemp in Chile and English settlers introduce hemp to Jamestown, Virginia.
Where did the cannabis plant originate?
Cannabis sativa is thought to have originated in Central Asia, but once people began growing it, it spread widely across Central Asia and China. The earliest documented use dates back to Chinese Emperor Shen Nung, who included references to using cannabis medicinally in his pharmacopoeia.
Which nations historically used medicinal cannabis?
The history of cannabis indicates that multiple nations used medicinal cannabis for a variety of different reasons. Initially, western nations predominantly used the hemp plant as a source of fibre, while Asian countries including China and India recognised Indian hemp’s medicinal potential.
It was not until the late 19th century and early 20th century that British chemists isolated cannabinol. Scientific advances made it possible to identify and isolate several of the other cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Set against these scientific developments was a change in the political climate of the time. In 1925, a League of Nations treaty to control the international trade in opium was expanded to include cannabis.
From then, the acceptance of cannabis as a therapeutic resource waned, with the US introducing the Controlled Substance Act in 1970, which listed cannabis as having ‘no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse’.
What was medicinal cannabis historically used to treat?
It’s important to remember that our knowledge of medicinal cannabis and its potential usage has grown substantially over the past few decades.
Historically, it is likely that medicinal cannabis was used on the basis of anecdote rather than scientific evidence. The Romans traditionally used it to alleviate pain and inflammation associated with gout or arthritis. The archaeologists who found the first signs of medicinal cannabis use near Jerusalem found the skeleton of a woman who had died during childbirth. On her abdomen were burnt plant remains, which were found to contain THC. The archaeologists concluded the woman had been consuming cannabis smoke to alleviate the pain of childbirth. It is important to note, that today we know cannabis consumption is contraindicated for women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
How was it ingested?
Records for the method by which medical cannabis was ingested vary, depending on where it was being used, and in what period. Topical application for inflammation is referenced in papers found in Egypt, dating back to 1500 BC, while Greek historian Herodotus describes hemp seeds being burned and the smoke inhaled in 425 BC.
More recently in cannabis history, in the 1830s, an Irish physician, William O’Shaughnessy, who had seen the use of medicinal cannabis in India, made extracts of cannabis resin into pills or dissolved them in alcohol to produce a tincture for medical purposes.
The history of cannabis legalisation timeline
Cannabis was legalised for medical use in Australia in 2016. The Australian government legalised it nationwide in 2016 for medicinal and scientific applications. This allowed businesses and medical professionals to have regulated access to these products.
Activities related to the cultivation, manufacturing, importation and production of medicinal cannabis products require the appropriate permits and licences. While the use of medicinal cannabis was legalised countrywide in 2016, each state has different rules and regulations around it.
In Tasmania, for example, it is not an offence to drive with a small amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in your system, as long as you have a medical prescription and are not intoxicated. In all other states, it is an offence to drive with THC in your system, although penalties vary.
Which countries is medicinal cannabis legal in?
The number of countries where medicinal cannabis is legal is growing, with Canada, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, and several countries in South America all permitting the use of medicinal cannabis. As the list is constantly evolving, it’s vital that patients and doctors check the laws of the country or jurisdiction before they travel, particularly to areas in the Middle East and Asia, where rules and laws around the use of cannabis extracts can be stricter.
