We live in a truly amazing time. After what seems like an eternity of being outlawed, marijuana stores in CA are now finally allowed to sell excellent recreational and medicinal weed products. Chances are, a couple decades from now, young people will laugh at the very idea of cannabis being illegal at any point in time.
When thinking about the history of marijuana, what first comes to mind is its rise to prominence during the 20th century, and the resulting laws that were put in place against it. But weed usage goes much further than that.
In the following article, we’ll tell you about some important moments in cannabis history. We’ll also point you in the direction of the top weed dispensary in California. Keep reading to learn more.
When was marijuana first discovered?
While there’s no way to determine the exact time people first started cultivating and using cannabis, it probably first took place in Asia around 500 BC. This is because burned marijuana seeds have been discovered in the graves of shamans in Siberia and China from that period.
The majority of these ancient civilizations did not likely use weed to get high, but rather as a herbal medicine. That being said, evidence suggests that some of these cultures also knew about other benefits of weed, and that they cultivated THC-rich weed for use in religious ceremonies.
When did cannabis first come to the Americas?
The use and growing of cannabis in America dates to the early colonists, who cultivated hemp to make ropes, textiles, paper, sails, and to use as food. Because of how versatile and fast-growing it is, hemp quickly spread through colonial America and the Spanish missions in the Southwest.
When was medical weed discovered?
During the 1830s, Sir William Brooke O’Shaughenessy found that marijuana extracts could help lessen vomiting and stomach pains in cholera patients. By the late 1800s, weed extracts were sold in pharmacies throughout the US and Europe to be used for the treatment of abdominal issues.
Medical scientists would later discover that THC (the chemical in marijuana that gets you high) affects parts of the brain that can promote hunger and lessen nausea. Two nausea and loss-of-appetite treatment drugs (Syndros and Marinol) that contain THC have even been approved for use by AIDS patients or patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Other studies discovered further benefits, such as that marijuana can help with multiple sclerosis and that CBD can make you more productive.
When was marijuana made illegal in the US?
The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 was the first law that criminalized weed nationwide. This effectively prevented any use of hemp except for industrial purposes. As a direct result of this law, the last hemp fields in the US were planted in 1957 in Wisconsin.
When was marijuana made legal in California?
California Proposition 215, passed in 1996, was a huge milestone in weed legalization. By decriminalizing medicinal weed, it paved the way for everyone’s favorite Proposition 64 in 2016, which finally legalized recreational marijuana use and sale in California.
There’s still a long way to go before cannabis is made legal worldwide, but we’re getting there. For now, we should be happy that marijuana is legal, and that the public no longer views it as a dangerous drug.
Where can I find the leading marijuana stores in CA?
Located in Santa Ana, California, People’s OC is your one-stop-shop for all things cannabis-related. Between our huge selection of tried-and-true medical and recreational weed products, our spacious and pleasant premises, and our expert budtenders, we’re perfectly equipped to attend to all your marijuana-based needs.
Visit our store today. We can’t wait to serve you.
