The First Recorded History of Medical Marijuana

Cannabis was first used for rope, textiles and food. Hemp cord pottery was found in modern day Taiwan dating back to 8,000 BC. Humans have existed for 250,000 years. Signs of cultivation has only been dated back to 8,000 BC. In 1977 Carl Sagan stated that marijuana could have possibly been the first agricultural crop of modern civilization. Cannabis used as food dates back to 6,000 BC. Seeds and oil were found in the region of China during this period.(Source)

In 2900BC the legend stated that the first record of marijuana used for medicinal purposes was from Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi. In 2727BC Chinese Emporer Shen Nung (also known as Shennong) recognized marijuana for its healing benefits. China did not have a written system until the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046BC). Any written record of Fu Hsi or Shennong was past down from oral stories and mythology hundreds of years later.

Fu Hsi was the first mythical Chinese Emporer that stated cannabis was a popular medicine that possessed both yin and yang. According to written accounts, Shennong was a mythological figure also known as the Emperor of Five Grains. He is a deity that is accredited discovering agriculture including the invention of the plow, ax and digging wells. Shennong was said to have ingested herbs and record how they reacted to his body including cannabis.(Source)

The first recorded use of cannabis for medicinal use dates back to 1500 BC. The pharmacology book called the Rh-Ya is the first writing that affirms the medicinal properties of cannabis. Fifty years later the Book of Exodus in the Bible was thought to have been written. The scripture (Exodus 30:20-23) describes a holy anointing oil recipe that has Kaneh-bosem. Many historians believe the written term Kaneh-bosem refers to modern day cannabis. This anointed oil had healing properties.(Source)

Source:
http://www.advancedholistichealth.org/history.html
http://www.advancedholistichealth.org/history.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_China
http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000026

The Country of Bhutan and Cannabis

The Cannabis plant is so prolific in Bhutan it grows like a weed in the countryside. Nestled in the Himalaya mountains Bhutan flourishes in a sativa type of cannabis called Thimphu. This variation of cannabis is rich in cannabinoids. Traditionally the country people saw no benefit in the plant medicinally and used it as feed for their pigs. They liked the use of cannabis for pigs because it allowed the swine to feed without rapidly getting fat.

The introduction of television was the first sign to the Bhutan people that cannabis was used as an intoxicant. This led to a large increase in youth to start using it as a drug. The new fascination with cannabis did not flourish and usage today is very rare. Historically Bhutan used cannabis minimally while the neighbor countries used it more widely. There is evidence they used hemp cord to make bow strings and a small amount of textiles. The Bhutanese preferred other sources for their paper and textiles.

There have been no references to medicinal Cannabis use in Bhutan. This is unique because the neighboring countries of China, Tibet, and Arurvedic medicine use it widely. Some medicinal treatments are secret to the ingredients. Their is speculation that cannabis is hidden in the medicine to avoid public scrutiny.(Source)

The Bhutanese practice Vajrayana Buddhism prohibits any intoxicant. The religion dates back in Bhutan to the 17^th century and is thought to be the main reason cannabis isn't consumed. Today the religion is less predominant leading to signs of cultivation of cannabis and smuggling.

Source:

sensiseeds.com/en/blog/cannabis-bhutan/