History of Cannabis Part 1

2900 BC - Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi References Marijuana as a Popular Medicine

"The Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi (ca. 2900 BC), whom the Chinese credit with bringing civilization to China, seems to have made reference to Ma, the Chinese word for Cannabis, noting that Cannabis was very popular medicine that possessed both yin and yang." 

Source: Robert Deitch Hemp: American History Revisited: The Plant with a Divided History, 2003

700 BC - Chinese Emperor Shen Nung Said to Discover Healing Properties of Marijuana

"According to Chinese legend, the emperor Shen Nung (circa 2700 BC; also known as Chen Nung) [considered the Father of Chinese medicine] discovered marijuana's healing properties as well as those of two other mainstays of Chinese herbal medicine, ginseng and ephedra."

Source: Janet Joy, PhD Alison Mack Marijuana as Medicine: Beyond the Controversy, 2001

1500 BC - Earliest Written Reference to Medical Marijuana in Chinese Pharmacopeia

"The use of cannabis for purposes of healing predates recorded history. The earliest written reference is found in the 15th century BC Chinese Pharmacopeia, the Rh-Ya."

Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Marijuana Research Findings: 1976, 1977 

1450 BC - Book of Exodus References Holy Anointing Oil Made from Cannabis

"Holy anointing oil, as described in the original Hebrew version of the recipe in Exodus (30:22-23), contained over six pounds of kaneh-bosem, a substance identified by respected etymologists, linguists, anthropologists, botanists and other researchers as cannabis, extracted into about six quarts of olive oil, along with a variety of other fragrant herbs. The ancient anointed ones were literally drenched in this potent mixture."

"Marijuana proponents suggest that the recipe for the anointing oil passed from God to Moses included cannabis, or kaneh-bosm in Hebrew. They point to versions calling for fragrant cane, which they say was mistakenly changed to the plant calamus in the King James version of the Bible."

Source: Chris Bennett "Was Jesus a Stoner?," High Times Magazine, Feb. 10, 2003

Source: Shannon Kari "Cannabis Involved in Christ's Anointment?," National Post, Apr. 22, 2010

1213 BC - Egyptians Use Cannabis for Glaucoma, Inflammation, and Enemas

Cannabis pollen is found on the mummy of Ramesses II, who died in 1213 BC. Prescriptions for cannabis in Ancient Egypt include treatment for the eyes (glaucoma), inflammation, and cooling the uterus, as well as administering enemas. 

Source: Lise Manniche, PhD An Ancient Egyptian Herbal, 1989

1000 BC - Bhang, a Drink of Cannabis and Milk, Is Used in India as an Anesthetic

Bhang, a cannabis drink generally mixed with milk, is used as an anesthetic and anti-phlegmatic in India. Cannabis begins to be used in India to treat a wide variety of human maladies.

Source: US National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse "Marihuana, A Signal of Misunderstanding," druglibrary.org, 1972