Maybe you consider yourself the sultan or sultana of marijuana lore. Even if you are, it’s likely you’ll learn something new from what you’re about to read about cannabis. 

Marijuana In Ancient Greece

Born in ancient Greece around 443 BC, Herodotus is considered the Father of History. In his writings, he described how the Scythians – Iranian nomads in Central Asia – inhaled the smoke from cannabis flowers and seeds to get high.

Hashish In Asia And The Middle East

Around 800 AD, hashish (a form of purified cannabis smoked in a pipe) was used throughout parts of Asia and the Middle East. The wide popularity of hashish is thought to have corresponded with the rise of Islam in that part of the world. While the Koran forbade indulgence in alcohol, it didn’t specifically prohibit the use of cannabis. 

Hashish Comes To France

In 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Egypt, where French soldiers acquired a taste for hashish. The use of hash subsequently spread throughout France and into neighboring countries in the early 19^th century.

Le Club Des Hachichins

The infamous Le Club des Hachichins opened in Paris in 1843. Victor Hugo, Charles Baudelaire, and Alexandre Dumas were among its members. Monthly seances were held, during which hash was consumed and members discussed their transcendental experiences.  

Marijuana Comes To The United States

In the United States, recreational cannabis wasn’t widely used until the early 1900s, when immigrants fleeing the Mexican Revolution introduced marijuana to the American culture.

The Hippie Movement and the 1960s

The Hippie Movement of the late 60s challenged authority and mainstream American values. Smoking marijuana became symbolic of people’s resistance to war, violence, and corporate greed. 

High Times Magazine

High Times magazine was founded in 1974 by Tom Forcade, a cannabis activist and the father of marijuana journalism. High Times quickly became the go-to source for all things marijuana. The publication played a major role in fueling the cannabis lifestyle and promoting stoner music, art, literature, politics and entertainment. 

Recreational Marijuana In The Netherlands

In the Netherlands, marijuana has been available for recreational use in “coffee shops” since 1976. These colorful spots are especially prevalent in Amsterdam and continue to lure international tourists wanting to experience a true cannabis high. While “wiet” isn’t legal in The Netherlands, it’s tolerated, and possession of up to five grams for personal use is decriminalized.

Recreational Marijuana In Canada

On October 17, 2018, Canada fully legalized recreational marijuana. Growers can get licenses via the federal government. Provinces individually decide how marijuana gets distributed and sold.

Recreational Marijuana In The United States

As of July 2021, seventeen states – plus The District of Columbia and Guam – have  legalized recreational marijuana: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.