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There is always something new to learn when it comes to cannabis history.
The plant has been around for thousands of years; no wonder there's plenty out there to read and consider. The University of Sydney's Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics is a pioneer program in the field of medicinal cannabinoids, with a goal to alleviate human suffering with medicinal cannabis.
As described on the University of Sydney website, cannabis has been included in historical texts for as long as humans have been writing them. The writings of many cultural and religious groups over pas centuries, including Indian Hindus, Assyrians, Greeks, and Romans, frequently referenced cannabis for health and wellness properties as well as some usage in spiritual activities. These texts often described the ways cannabis would treat a variety of health conditions and problems.
In their brief history of cannabis, University of Sydney dropped this fun nugget:
Hindu legend holds that Shiva, the supreme Godhead of many sects, was given the title ‘The Lord of Bhang’, because the cannabis plant was his favourite food. The ancient Hindus thought the medicinal benefits of cannabis were explained by pleasing the gods such as Shiva. Ancient Hindu texts attribute the onset of fever with the ‘hot breath of the gods’ who were angered by the afflicted person's behaviour. Using cannabis in religious rites appeased the gods and hence reduced the fever. Recent scientific evidence provides an alternative explanation of course. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) acts on the hypothalamus to reduce body temperature.
This is a common theme when it comes to cannabis - anecdotal evidence is often right, but the science tells us why. That's one of the major obstacles that the continued federal prohibition presents - we are decades behind where we should be - where we could've been! - because the Schedule 1 categorization prevents real advancements in science and medicine. While history shows us that federal prohibition has essentially been a way to wield criminal and correctional control to target communities of color and further oppressive agendas, it has also intentionally halted progress when it comes to learning and the acquisition of accurate, credible, and verifiable knowledge. This is why cannabis education is vital. The false narratives and misinformation need to be replaced with facts and evidence.
Be assured - it's not about the plant. It's about much more than that; it's about politics and purse strings.
Interested in accessing the University of Sydney cannabis timeline? Click here to check out even more cannabis history.
Contact Elucidation Strategies for cannabis education consulting services.