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While most of us have a very contemporary and modern view about cannabis, its actual origins date back to centuries ago. In the days of yore, marijuana was not only used for recreational purposes but for medicinal, spiritual, and even religious purposes. The history of marijuana/cannabis and the importance that it had in the lives of people, all over the world, is undeniable.
But due to the lack of such knowledge and the absence of a comprehensive view of cannabis history, there continues to be a lot of stigma about it, despite legalization and normalization.
So we’ve compiled a list of six interesting historical facts about marijuana, which will leave you surprised and give you a new perspective about this famous plant.
Hemp: A part of life –
During the 16th century, the cultivation of hemp was a commonplace activity. Hemp was used for making clothing, rope, and several other kinds of products. It was so important that the government ordered all the farmers in Jamestown, Virginia to grow hemp in their fields. Similar laws were enacted in Massachusetts, Connecticut as well as the Chesapeake colonies. It just goes to show how important marijuana and its corollary products were for the economy of that time.
An Arabian Nights plot device –
Believe it or not, it’s true. The Arabian Nights are a collection of fables that were told by the princess Scheherazade, to her spouse, the king of Persia, as a way to distract and prevent him from killing her. In these stories, the presence of marijuana is in the form of “bhang” which was used to intoxicate character in certain scenes. The prevalence of marijuana in her tales wasn’t out of place though, as it was frequently used by Persians, both peasants, and royalty, during that time.
Understanding the etymology –
Despite being a widely used term to describe the substance, no one knows from where the word “marijuana” comes. Some speculate that it is derivative of the phrase “ma ren hua” which means hemp flowers in the Chinese language. However, the history behind the word “pot” is clear – it is a shortened version of the word “potiguaya”, an intoxicating drink made using the flowering buds of the cannabis plant.
The invention of the Bong –
The history of bongs is also foggy and unclear, as its presence can be seen in several cultures. Some speculate that it was devised by Asians, namely by the Chinese, as Chinese paintings and art often portray the use of water pipes. The word “bong” is also said to originate from the Thai term “baung” which described a bamboo pipe used for smoking. But devices similar to bongs can be traced back to Africa as well, where the inhabitants used objects called “earth pipes”.
Movies and marijuana –
One of, if not the principal reason behind the negative sentiments that people have towards weed could be the movie “Reefer Madness.” Released in 1936, it portrayed marijuana as the cause of accidents, rape, murder, and almost every bad thing in the universe. Several people believe that this movie is perhaps a major contributing factor to the bad reputation that marijuana racked up. The plain ridiculousness of the film has now made it an inside joke amongst marijuana and cannabis advocates.
Ancient medicine –
The use of marijuana as medicine has been around for centuries, and not a new concept at all. It was a “fundamental” herb in Chinese medicine and was used for several purposes. Hemp flowers were used to cure menstrual issues, whereas the seeds were used as laxatives, diuretics, and more. Its oils and tincture were used to control shedding in women and mens hair, and cure sulfur poisoning as well
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