Short history of marijuana
Back to Topic
Click to Print
Useful Websites
Glossary Term Selection
Ancient world
The hallucinogenic properties of marijuana were very popular in parts of the ancient world, including India and Nepal. It was used as part of their religious ceremonies to induce a trance-like state.
China
In the 1st century AD the Chinese used marijuana for its medicinal qualities. Marijuana formed part of many herbal remedies at that time and was a commonly used substance.
India and the Middle East
The use of marijuana as a medicine spread to other parts of the world such as India and the Middle East. But it also had a range of other uses, including recreation, religious ceremonies and manufacture.
Hemp fibre was harvested from marijuana plants to make clothes, ropes, sacks, mats and fishing nets.
Western Europe
In the 19th century soldiers from Napoleon’s army brought marijuana with them from their time spent fighting in North Africa. This was the first introduction of marijuana as a recreational drug to Western Europe.
It was also used for medicinal purpos...
Want to see the rest of this article?
Would you like to see the rest of this article and all the other benefits that Issues Online can provide with?
- Useful related articles
- Video and multimedia references
- Statistical information and reference material
- Glossary of terms
- Key Facts and figures
- Related assignments
- Resource material and websites
