Cannabis History and Cultural Use
A short, sourced history of cannabis from early use in Asia and the Old World through 19th-century Western medicine, 20th-century controls and modern research.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Why history matters, and its limits
Cannabis is possibly one of the oldest plants cultivated by people. [1] This page is a short history of use, not a claim that any past use worked. Stories from history are cultural information, not clinical evidence. For what modern studies show, see the clinical research overview. The details below come from published review articles; we did not read community-authored sources on specific peoples' traditions this session, so this page does not describe particular ceremonies or practices.A timeline from the sources we read
| Period | What is documented |
|---|---|
| Origins | The plant is thought to come from Central Asia and has long been used in folk medicine and for textile fiber. [2] |
| Before the Christian era | Cannabis was used as a medicine in Asia, mainly in India. [3] |
| Old World cultures | A historian's survey examined first mentions in several Old World cultures and used Ancient Egypt as an example. [1] |
| Mid-1800s | Cannabis entered Western medicine and reached a peak in the last decade of the 19th century, when extracts and tinctures were available. [3] |
| Early 1900s | Western medical use fell sharply, largely because different batches of plant material had different potencies and gave inconsistent results. [3] |
| 1964 onward | THC was isolated and synthesized in 1964, and it became the main focus of cannabis research. [4] |
| 1970 | In the US, cannabis ("marihuana") was placed under the Controlled Substances Act in Schedule I. [5] |
| 1990s | Cannabinoid receptors and an endogenous cannabinoid system were described, renewing scientific interest. [3] See the endocannabinoid system. |
| 2018 | The US Farm Bill removed hemp, defined as cannabis with no more than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC, from the Controlled Substances Act. [5] The FDA's first approval of a purified CBD medicine (Epidiolex) also dates to 2018. [6] |
Cultural uses, described carefully
A 2024 review describes cannabis as an Ayurvedic botanical that has been used by different ethnicities and religions for spiritual, commercial, recreational and medicinal purposes for centuries. [7] Beyond fiber and seed, that is about as specific as the sources we read allow. For Ayurveda in general, see Ayurvedic herbs: medicine interactions, pregnancy and children.Then and now: the plant has changed
Historic medical use was limited by inconsistent potency. [3] Modern products can be much stronger. NIDA reports that the delta-9 THC potency in illegal cannabis seized by law enforcement rose from 3.96 percent in 1995 to 16.14 percent in 2022. [8] What people used a century ago is therefore not a safe guide to today's products.What history does not show
- Effectiveness. Historic use does not show that cannabis treats any condition. Evidence label for most historic claims: insufficient evidence until tested in modern trials.
- Safety. Older accounts did not measure outcomes like cannabis use disorder or effects on the developing brain. See adverse effects and use disorder.
- Legal status today. Laws changed many times and differ by country; this page is not legal advice. See cannabis and CBD laws.
Frequently asked questions
How old is human use of cannabis?
A historian's review calls it possibly one of the oldest plants cultivated by people, and another review says medical use in Asia, mainly India, predates the Christian era. [1][3]
Why did medical use of cannabis decline in the early 1900s?
One review says a major reason was the difficulty of getting consistent results from batches of plant material with different potencies. [3]
When did modern cannabis science begin?
THC was isolated and synthesized in 1964, and the discovery of cannabinoid receptors in the 1990s renewed interest. [4][3]
Does long traditional use prove cannabis is safe or effective?
No. Traditional use is cultural history. Modern conclusions come from clinical studies, which vary by condition. [3]
References
- Russo et al. History of cannabis and its preparations in saga, science, and sobriquet. Chemistry & biodiversity. 2007. PubMed abstract read 2026-10-22.
- Andre et al. Cannabis sativa: The Plant of the Thousand and One Molecules. Frontiers in plant science. 2016. PubMed abstract read 2026-10-22.
- Zuardi et al. History of cannabis as a medicine: a review. Revista brasileira de psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil : 1999). 2006. PubMed abstract read 2026-10-22.
- Russo et al. Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. British journal of pharmacology. 2011. PubMed abstract read 2026-10-22.
- US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products, Including Cannabidiol (CBD): Questions and Answers. Read 2026-10-22.
- US National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. EPIDIOLEX (cannabidiol) solution, prescribing information. Label version listed as published June 15, 2026. Read 2026-10-22.
- Pathak et al. Assessing effects of Cannabis on various neuropathologies: A systematic review. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. 2024. PubMed abstract read 2026-10-22.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Cannabis (Marijuana) DrugFacts. Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.