A Brief History of

Cannabis Around the World

Did you know cannabis has been used by humans for thousands of years — long before it became a regulated medicine in Australia, the UK, or Canada?

From ancient rituals to modern healthcare programs in countries like Germany, cannabis has a fascinating history shaped by culture, science, and law.

Ancient use of Cannabis

Cannabis is one of the oldest cultivated plants in human history. Archaeological evidence shows its use in China as early as 2700 BCE, where it was valued for fibre, food, and medicine (Russo, 2007).

In India, cannabis was incorporated into spiritual and religious practices, including traditional Ayurvedic medicine.
Ancient Egyptian texts mention cannabis being used for inflammation and other health conditions.

Cannabis in the Middle Ages and Beyond

By the Middle Ages, cannabis had spread across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

Arabic scholars described medicinal uses of cannabis in texts from the 9th and 10th centuries.
In Europe, hemp was widely cultivated for rope, sails, and clothing — essential for trade and exploration.
Colonisation later carried cannabis to the Americas, where hemp farming supported textiles and industry.

The Fall of Cannabis in Modern times

However, the 20th century saw increasing restrictions:

The 1925 Geneva Convention placed international controls on cannabis.
By the 1930s–40s, bans in countries like the US and UK influenced worldwide policies.

Cannabis became classified as an illicit drug, and its medicinal use was largely halted.

Cannabis today - Prohibition to regulation

In recent decades, discoveries about the endocannabinoid system have helped explain how cannabinoids like THC and CBD interact with the body. This research has led many countries to revisit cannabis as a potential medicine.

Examples around the world:

Canada: Legalised medicinal cannabis in 2001 and was the first G7 country to legalise recreational use in 2018.
Germany: Legalised medicinal cannabis in 2017, allowing doctors to prescribe cannabis flower and extracts through pharmacies.
UK: Legalised medicinal cannabis in 2018, although prescribing remains highly regulated and mostly specialist-led.

New Zealand: Legalised medicinal cannabis in 2020 under the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme, allowing licensed products and local cultivation, though recreational use remains prohibited.
Thailand: Became the first Southeast Asian country to legalise medicinal cannabis in 2018. In 2022, cannabis was removed from the national narcotics list, though its regulation remains tightly controlled.
Australia: Established a regulated medicinal cannabis program in 2016, overseen by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

From ancient Asia and Africa to modern healthcare systems in Germany, Canada, the UK, Thailand, New Zealand, and Australia, cannabis has travelled a long and complex path. Once valued for textiles, medicine, and rituals, later prohibited, and now cautiously reintroduced into regulated healthcare, cannabis reflects how societies change their views with science and culture.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Laws regarding prescription medicines vary by region, and readers should always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any prescription medication.

References: Iversen, L. (2020). The Science of Marijuana (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. Lu, H. C., & Mackie, K. (2021). An introduction to the endogenous cannabinoid system. Biological Psychiatry, 79(7), 516–525. Russo, E. B. (2007). History of cannabis and its preparations in saga, science, and sobriquet. Chemistry & Biodiversity, 4(8), 1614–1648.