16/02/2022
History behind the Herb🍀
🍀Cannabis sativa is a plant that is growing just like other plants, yet is a plant that has been hotly debatated for centuries.
A native to Eastern Asia, historically this genus has been grown for its strong fibers, with example found in China dating back to 4000 BCE! The oldest example of woven fabric is made of h**p fibers. Our ancient ascentors ate the seeds and later they used seed oil for a lamp light.
🍀We see evidence of Cannabis used as a psychotropic from 2000 BCE, with its use written about it Emperor Shen Nung’s pharmacopoeia. In this text the plant is recomended as a remedy for constipation, female issues, malaria, pain and absentmindednes.
🍀In 900 BCE, we see it being used as an incence and medicine by the Assyrians, whilst Indian Vedas speak of it as a divine nectar and its ingredient in the god Indra’s favourite drink.
🍀”Ganja” is accually indian term for a Cannabis preparation. Greeks were also using Cannabis, with Galen writing of an intoxicating h**p cake, and women of Thebes used the plant to quell sorrow.
Avicenna also wrote in the tenth century, with a nod to its psychoactive properties.
🍀Writing from 18th century speak of the psychotropic use of Cannabis in India and Persia, with medicinal uses.
🍀In the 19th century, the plant was studied for its issues such a rabies, tetanus and alcohol withdrawal - research well ahead of its time. Similar use was found in UK around this time, with a tincture of the plant being given to ease morphine withdrawal. Towards the end of the century Cannabis has been studied by French phisicians seeking to clarify its potential use in psychiatric practice.
🍀It is fair to say that during the 19th century there is a plenty of evidence of the medicinal use of Cannabis, particulary for withdrawal symptoms and insomnia. As they moved into the twentieth century, the idea of smoking the plant to bring about more rapid effects become popular.
🍀Until the 1930s, Cannabis sativa jad an entry in the United Stated pharmacopoeia, listed as amongst other things, a sedative. But in 1937, the „Ma*****na Tax Act” was passed, and this prohibited the cultivation, sale and use of the plant. But how did this act come to pass when it appears that within the US it had been a common farm crop for so long? Well, from around 1920s there was a growing fear surrounding the use of the plant as a psychoactive. The public grew scared that the plant’s use would lead to deviancy and posed a threat to wider public’s safety. It’s also fair to say that a look back to the headliners of the era also point firmly to deeply unsettling racist views- with the Cannabis bans being used directed at racials minorities. However, the act did little to quash the recreational use of Cannabis in the US, with the popularity rising through the decades, peaking in the 70s.
🍀By 1980, eleven states had decriminalised „possesion” of Cannabis, but later, the law clamped down again.
🍀Thankfully, after huge struggle our grandfathers and grandmothers had, times have been changed.
With the law now in force, Malta become the first country in Europe to permit restricded use of Cannabis for recreational use. Users can carry up to 7g of the substance on them without a fear of prosecution and grow 4 plants at home. Up to 50g of homegrown Ma*****na can be stored at home.
BLESSED we Are🙏🏼🍀