History of Cannabis in Ancient Times
In a world where truth is a commodity and history is rewritten as it suits better to someone else, hemp has been a silent but persistent witness to the evolution of humanity. From ancient civilisations to modern metropolises, the plant has been both revered and reviled. Join me on a journey through time, where we will unravel the layers of propaganda and discover the true history of marijuana in antiquity.
Hemp in the different eras of human history
We will explore hemp from prehistoric times and how this plant has been part of human history since time immemorial. We will then move through each of the ancient eras, all the way to modern and contemporary times.
Hemp in Prehistory: Ancestral Roots
Long before civilisations flourished and empires were built, our ancestors had already discovered hemp. In the vastness of prehistory, when humans were beginning to dominate the land and establish early communities, hemp played a crucial role.
Archaeologists have found evidence of the use of hemp fibres in artefacts dating back more than 10,000 years. These fibres, transformed into ropes and fabrics, helped our ancestors build tools, clothing and shelter. Hemp was not only valued for its strength and durability, but was also a source of food. Hemp seeds, rich in nutrients, formed part of the diet of these ancient communities.
Furthermore, it is likely that our ancestors recognised the medicinal and psychoactive potential of hemp. Although direct evidence is scarce, it is possible to imagine rituals and ceremonies where hemp was used to connect with the divine or the spiritual world.
The relationship between humans and hemp in prehistoric times lays the foundations for a connection that would last for millennia. Before there were cities, scriptures or laws, hemp was already there, intertwined with the first chapters of our history.
Hemp in Ancient India
India, a land of contrasts and diversity, has been home to some of the world’s oldest civilisations. Its vast landscapes, from the Himalayan mountains to the shores of the Indian Ocean, have witnessed stories and legends that have been passed down from generation to generation. In this cultural mosaic, hemp has played a central role.
Ancient Vedic texts, written thousands of years ago, already mentioned hemp, known locally as Bhang. It was considered a gift from the gods, a plant that could heal, soothe and, most importantly, connect humans to the divine realm. Sacred rituals often included the consumption of ‘Bhang’, allowing devotees to enter trance-like states and communicate with the gods.
Sages and scholars, in their quest for knowledge and enlightenment, often turned to hemp. It was said to provide them with clarity, visions and answers to the mysteries of the universe. But, as with all things powerful, hemp also had its detractors. There were those who viewed its influence and power with suspicion. These detractors, often leaders and authority figures, sought to control and restrict its use, fearing that it might threaten their dominance and control over the masses.
India’s relationship with hemp is complex and multifaceted. While it was revered and used in religious and medicinal practices, it was also at the centre of debate and controversy. Over the centuries, hemp has been both a symbol of divinity and dissent in Indian society.
Key points in ancient India
- Divine Gift: Hemp, or ‘Bhang’, was considered a gift from the gods in ancient Vedic texts, used to connect with the divine and obtain spiritual answers.
- Tool of Wisdom: Sages and scholars consumed hemp in their quest for knowledge and enlightenment, believing it provided clarity and insights.
- Centre of Controversy: Despite its sacred status, hemp was also the subject of debate and restrictions, with leaders and authority figures attempting to control its influence and use.
Medieval Europe and Hemp
Europe during the Middle Ages was a continent in constant change and turbulence. Kingdoms were born and died, crusades took knights to distant lands, and the Church was consolidating as a powerful entity that influenced all aspects of daily life. Amidst this backdrop, hemp emerged as an invaluable resource for industry and the economy.
Hemp fields stretched across Europe, from the green meadows of England to the vast plains of France. It was a versatile plant used to make a variety of products. Ropes made from hemp were strong and durable, essential for construction and navigation. Hemp textiles clothed the population, from peasant to nobleman.
However, while hemp was valued for its industrial properties, its recreational and spiritual use was viewed with suspicion. Stories of pagan rituals and nightly feasts where hemp was consumed began to circulate. The Church, ever vigilant, began to associate hemp with witchcraft and heresy. Those who consumed it or promoted its spiritual use were often persecuted and punished. At a time when the Inquisition sought out and eliminated any deviation from official doctrine, hemp became a symbol of resistance and rebellion.
Thus, on a continent where the word of the Church was law, hemp found itself in a precarious position. Although its industrial value was undeniable, its association with practices considered heretical relegated it to the shadows. However, like any resilient plant, hemp waited patiently for its moment to re-emerge and reclaim its place in European history.
Key Points
- Industrial Resource: During the Middle Ages, hemp was essential to European industry, being used in the manufacture of rope, cloth and other vital products.
- Association with Heresy: Despite its industrial importance, the recreational and spiritual use of hemp was suppressed, being associated with witchcraft and practices contrary to church doctrine.
- Resilience and Resilience: Although marginalised and persecuted, hemp persisted, waiting for the right moment to re-emerge and be revalued in European society.
The Renaissance and the Rediscovery of Hemp
The Renaissance, that glorious period of cultural and scientific rebirth, marked a turning point in European history. Italian city-states such as Florence and Venice became centres of innovation and creativity. Artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo revolutionised the art world, while scientists and thinkers challenged preconceived notions and sought answers in nature and experimentation.
In this context of discovery and curiosity, hemp was rediscovered. Alchemists, in their dark laboratories, experimented with the plant, distilling its essences and searching for its hidden properties. It was believed that hemp could be the key to discovering the elixir of life or transforming base metals into gold. The brightest minds of the time, fascinated by its potential medicinal and recreational benefits, began to study it with fervour.
Hemp, once relegated to the shadows during the Middle Ages, began to flourish in gardens and fields. Its medicinal use became popular, and apothecaries and pharmacies offered hemp-based preparations to treat a variety of ailments. However, as is often the case in human history, where there is power and interest, there is conflict. As hemp gained popularity, it also attracted the attention of the authorities and the establishment. Fearing its disruptive potential and its association with heretical practices, voices began to emerge calling for its regulation and control.
Thus, in an era of enlightenment and discovery, hemp found itself at the centre of an ideological struggle. A struggle between the freedom of knowledge and the need for control. A struggle that reflected the tensions and contradictions of the Renaissance itself.
Key Points:
- Scientific Rediscovery: During the Renaissance, hemp was the subject of study and experimentation by alchemists and scientists, who sought to decipher its properties and secrets.
- Popularity and Medicinal Use: Hemp became a valuable medicinal resource, with hemp-based preparations offered in apothecaries to treat various ailments.
- Ideological Struggle: Despite its cultural and scientific renaissance, hemp found itself at the centre of a conflict between the freedom of knowledge and the forces of control and regulation.
The Modern Era: Prohibition and Revolution
The 20th century, marked by world wars, technological advances and socio-political changes, also saw a rising tide of prohibitionism. World powers, in their attempt to control and regulate society, found hemp a convenient enemy. Disinformation campaigns, backed by industrial and political interests, painted hemp as a threat to morality and public health. Before long, this plant, which had been an integral part of human history, was demonised and consigned to oblivion.
Decades of prohibition saw the emergence of a black market, where hemp and its derivatives were traded in the shadows. But, like any resilient plant, hemp did not disappear. It found its way back through countercultural movements and activists who recognised its potential and advocated for its legalisation. The 1960s and 1970s, marked by civil rights movements, anti-war protests and a growing distrust of the authorities, saw young people and activists embrace hemp as a symbol of resistance against the establishment.
With the advent of the 21st century, the perception of hemp has undergone a radical change. Scientific research has debunked many of the myths surrounding the plant, which has ceased to be a demon transformed into a plant for many people. Moreover, its medicinal and therapeutic potential has been recognised. Countries around the world are reviewing their prohibition policies and adopting a more rational and evidence-based approach. In a world awash with misinformation and post-truth, hemp is emerging not only as a plant with countless benefits, but also as a symbol of resilience, hope and a greener, more sustainable future.
Key Points:
- Prohibitionism and Disinformation: The 20th century saw an intense campaign against hemp, driven by political and industrial interests, which led to its prohibition in many countries.
- Countercultural Resistance: Despite prohibition, hemp found advocates in countercultural movements and activists who saw it as a symbol of resistance and freedom.
- 21st Century Revolution: With the advancement of research and a shift in public perception, hemp is being revalued and legalised, emerging as a symbol of hope and sustainability in the modern world.
Hemp has witnessed the best and the worst of humanity. It has been celebrated and condemned, but it has never been forgotten. In this journey through time, we have seen how the history of hemp is, in many ways, a reflection of our own history. In a complex world, where truth is often a commodity, hemp reminds us of the importance of resistance, resilience and revolution.
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References: O’Shaughnessy, W. B. (1843). On the Preparations of the Indian Hemp, or Gunjah (Cannabis Indica). Herb Roe.
Founder of Experiencia Natural, creative and entrepreneur, designer, master in grower and marketing. For a normalization of all plants and substances, giving priority to patients and users.
