The History Of Cannabis

Cannabis has been used by mankind for thousands of years, for medicinal purposes or as an intoxicant. The plant got great popularity in different parts of the world. Here you will learn all about the history of cannabis and how the plant has become the trending product of today.

When Did Cannabis First Appear In Human History?

The earliest evidence of cannabis use dates back to prehistoric times, but the exact location is anyone's guess. Various archaeological finds indicate that cannabis has been used for at least 10,000 years. The Chinese were the first civilization to cultivate the hemp plant. They used the plant to make commodities such as clothing, rope, or paper. In some cases, the male hemp plant is still used for these objects today.

But the plant was also used in other parts of the world at the time, with the ancient Egyptians, in particular, having a fondness for the plant as medicine. In addition to the Egyptians, the Indians were also convinced of the cannabis plant, and they also use the plant for religious and medicinal purposes. In a well-known ancient Indian script, the hemp plant is mentioned as one of the five sacred plants.

In the course of human history, cannabis has appeared again and again, so it was mainly used for medical and spiritual purposes. But it was also highly valued in ancient handicrafts as a raw material for useful objects.

How did cannabis come to Europe?

The popular plant found its way to Europe during the Roman Empire, since it was very popular in the exotic regions of this world, the Romans brought it home as an important commodity. However, there are also archaeological finds in Germany of cannabis seeds dating back to the 5th century BC. dated. Here it is assumed that the Celts and Germans cultivated hemp as a crop for the production of clothing.

In the Middle Ages, the hemp plant played an important role, especially in the textile industry: clothing, ropes, and canvas were made from robust plant fibers. In parts of Europe now part of the Czech Republic, paper was primarily made from hemp. It can therefore be said that cannabis found its way from Asia and Africa to Europe and was used there for the same purposes for which it was already used by very old civilizations.

What happened after the Middle Ages?

Even after the Middle Ages, cannabis was an integral part of Europe and the development went its way. The plant was mainly used for the same purposes that mankind used it for in ancient times and the Middle Ages.

Here is a brief overview of the era and the use of hemp:

Modern times and the discovery of America: European seafarers brought the hemp plant to America. In the colonies there, the plant was grown to make rope and clothing. Thus, the indigenous people of America came into contact with the plant.
19th Century: In the 19th century, cannabis was increasingly changing, especially in Europe and North America. The plant was discovered by medical professionals and gained increasing importance as a treatment for pain, insomnia, and other ailments. At that time, cannabis was particularly popular and widespread as a medication among the population.
20th Century: However, this attitude changed in the 20th Century. From 1920-1930, laws were drafted in the United States and many other countries criminalizing the possession and sale of cannabis. Cannabis prohibition was born and is still practiced in many parts of the Western world today. At that time, the hemp plant was associated with the immigration of foreign cultures to the United States and with crime. Thus, a political campaign was started to fight crime and thus ensure more security. This leads to sharp persecution of the cannabis plant and its users.
Modern Era: In the modern age, that began to change, with many Western countries beginning to reconsider their cannabis policies. One of the most progressive countries was the Netherlands, which decriminalized the use of cannabis and thus made it accessible to the population as a recreational drug. However, other European countries such as Spain also followed this trend. Perhaps the biggest shift in thinking for the Western world came when the US first legalized cannabis in the state of Colorado in 2012. Since then, many more states have joined, both on the west and east coasts. Now it appears that the plant will be legalized at the federal level in the next few years.

What is Germany's position on the cannabis issue?

A lot has changed in Germany since Prohibition. A milestone for social recognition was the legalization for the medical field in 2017. Here, for the first time, patients were allowed to get cannabis as a medicinal plant for various ailments on prescription from a doctor. This was particularly beneficial for cancer patients, who use the plant to relieve pain. In some cases, the cost of cannabis treatment was even covered by health insurance.

As of today, possession of cannabis for recreational use is still a criminal offence, but there has been some political movement on the issue. The current government under Chancellor Olaf Scholz plans to fully legalize the hemp plant for recreational use by the end of the legislative period. In many major German cities, particularly Berlin and Frankfurt, police and law enforcement agencies are increasingly focusing on other offenses and classifying possession of small amounts of marijuana as a low risk of prosecution. The legal purchase of CBD products is another step towards social recognition and thus towards legalization.

Conclusion

Cannabis has been an important crop for mankind for thousands of years and will continue to be so in the future. From the 19th century, the plant was increasingly used for political campaigns, but numerous statistics have shown that criminal prosecution of cannabis does not restrict trade or consumption. However, the chances of final legalization and the establishment of a state-regulated cannabis industry in Germany have never been better than they are today.

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