History of Medicinal Cannabis

Cannabis has been used medicinally since at least 2700 BCE, with the earliest recorded use in ancient China. Emperor Shen Nung's pharmacopeia lists it as a treatment for malaria, rheumatism, and absent-mindedness.

Islamic physicians in the 9th century, such as Al-Razi and Ibn Sina, utilized cannabis to treat epilepsy, inflammation, and pain. It spread through their texts, influencing medieval European medicine significantly.

In the 1800s, cannabis extracts became common in Western medicine. William O'Shaughnessy's research in India introduced it to Europe, where it was used for conditions like cholera, tetanus, and mental health disorders.

Despite early medicinal use, cannabis faced global prohibition in the 20th century. Rediscovery began in the 1990s with the identification of the endocannabinoid system, reigniting interest in its therapeutic potential.

Today, medicinal cannabis is prescribed for chronic pain, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis among other conditions. Ongoing research explores its efficacy in treating PTSD, cancer-related symptoms, and neurodegenerative diseases.

In ancient China, cannabis mixed with wine was used as an early form of anesthesia for surgery, demonstrating advanced medical practices for the time.