The History of Medical Marijuana: A Short Overview

When it comes to the history of medical marijuana, many people mistakenly believe that the use of cannabis in medicine is a somewhat new revelation. The truth, though, is that marijuana has been used for its medical properties for far longer than most people think!

The History of Medical Marijuana: A Short Overview

Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi

The first mention of the medicinal benefits of marijuana was made by Emperor Fu Hsi – otherwise known as the father of civilization in China. Although the reference is slight, it does refer to the use of marijuana as a popular medicine and one that was endowed with the forces of yin and yang.

1450 BC

Although there are multiple Chinese references to the medicinal properties of marijuana over the next few centuries it was around1450 BC before we saw a significant reference to cannabis other than use by the Chinese. In 1450 BC we see a reference made to a holy anointing oil made from cannabis (The Revell Bible Dictionary (1990), by Lawrence O. Richards.)

1213 BC

It is a couple of centuries later that we see medical applications of cannabis in Egypt. According to historical texts cannabis was used medically for treatment for the eyes (glaucoma), inflammation, and cooling the uterus, as well as administering enemas.

1000 BC

It is over two hundred years later that we see the use of medical cannabis in India. Bhang – a medicinal drink of milk and cannabis used for congestion and as an anesthetic. Not long after this, the popularity of medical cannabis begins to take off and India finds various and extensive applications for its use in medical fields.

700 BC

By 700 BC we see the spread of medicinal marijuana into Iran. In his book “Cannabis: A History, 2005”, Martin Booth mentions the reference of marijuana for medical purposes.

“The Venidad, one of the volumes of the Zend-Avesta, the ancient Persian religious text written around the seventh century BC purportedly by Zoroaster (or Zarathustra), the founder of Zoroastrianism, and heavily influenced by the Vedas, mentions bhang and lists cannabis as the most important of 10,000 medicinal plants.”

600 BC

In 600 BC we see a written reference to the medical use of cannabis in India in the Ayurvedic [a system of Indian medicine] treatise of Sushruta Samhita written in 600 BC. This writing mentions the use of cannabis for congestion but it also makes reference to it’s use as a cure for leprosy.

200BC

In 200 BC, historical writings reference the use of cannabis for earache, edema, and inflammation by residents of Ancient Greece.

1AD

As we move into 1AD, we see the use of medical marijuana become increasingly widespread not just geographically but medicinally too. In 1AD Pen Ts’ao Ching’s compendium of drug recipes recommends the use of cannabis for over 100 different health ailments.

The Spread of Medical Marijuana Popularity

As the use of medical marijuana took hold in the medical communities over the years, it continued to be used for a wider and wider range of ailments from psychological to physical. So popular was medical marijuana, in fact, that the Jamestown colonists were noted as bringing cannabis to the American colonies with them. After this point, cannabis becomes even more popular and George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were both noted as growing hemp.

1840’s

The 1840s are a notable time for marijuana use in the medical community because this is approximately the time when marijuana use in medicine became “mainstream”. From this point, doctors around the globe were recommending cannabis for headaches, menstrual cramps, addiction withdrawal, asthma, appetite suppression, bronchitis, hay fever, cholera, dysentery, gonorrhea, diabetes, impotence, urinary incontinence, swelling of the testicles, granulation of open sores, chronic ulcers, prevention of insomnia, relief of anxiety, protection against cholera, and as an aid to concentration of attention.

1911

In 1911, Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to outlaw the use of marijuana. Many states followed suit in the following years and soon the use of marijuana in the medical community became illegal. This is not to say that the benefits of medical cannabis were nulled, rather the decision was made based on “moral grounds”. In the decades that followed, governments around the world would crackdown on the applications of medical cannabis and the recreational use of marijuana, treating them as a single entity.

Reform

In the 1970s NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) was founded and began a push to legalize marijuana. Once this happened, more research studies began to focus on the use of cannabis but it wouldn’t be until the 1990’s that researchers would identify cannabinoid receptors in the human brain and bolster the effort to bring back medical cannabis use. This return truly began in 1991 when Proposition P –  the first medical marijuana initiative – appeared in the city of San Francisco.

Today the push to increase medical applications of marijuana and legalize cannabis use continues. Although progress has been slow, we are thankful to say that in a number of countries and states in the U.S. many patients can now enjoy the relief of their symptoms as a result of medical cannabis use!

Do You Feel Like You’re a Good Candidate For Medical Marijuana Treatment?

If you feel like you could find relief from your symptoms through medical cannabis treatment, we recommend setting up a consultation with Dr. Tirmal to get started along the path to a healthier you! To make your first appointment, just use our easy online booking tool to set up an appointment time that’s right for you.

Source: Brittanica Pro Con