Understanding the Past, Present, and Future of Cannabis

Cannabis is more than a plant — it’s a symbol of healing, history, injustice, and possibility. This page explores the complex evolution of cannabis, from its ancient roots to modern legalization efforts. Whether you’re new to cannabis or passionate about reform, this guide offers a deep understanding of its impact on culture, law, and equity.

🧬 The Origins of Cannabis

Cannabis has been used by human civilizations for over 12,000 years. Its earliest documented use appears in ancient China around 2700 BCE, where it was valued for both medicinal and industrial purposes. The plant was used to treat ailments such as pain, rheumatism, and digestive issues, and its strong fibers were harvested for textiles and rope.

From China, cannabis spread to India, where it became integrated into Ayurvedic medicine and spiritual rituals. Known locally as bhang, cannabis was believed to promote clarity, relieve stress, and facilitate meditation. Over time, the plant made its way into the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, where its uses ranged from ceremonial to therapeutic.

In the 19th century, cannabis extracts became a common ingredient in pharmaceutical remedies in Europe and North America. It was considered safe and effective for treating insomnia, nausea, and anxiety — and was widely available in U.S. pharmacies until the early 20th century.

✈️ The Global Spread of Cannabis

The global journey of cannabis is closely tied to trade, colonization, and cultural exchange:

• India: Cannabis held spiritual significance and was consumed in festivals like Holi.
• Middle East: Hashish gained popularity across Islamic empires, where it was legally tolerated.
• Africa: Indigenous communities used cannabis in healing rituals and as a social relaxant.
• Europe & U.S.: By the 1800s, cannabis was formally introduced into Western medicine, with doctors prescribing tinctures for a wide range of conditions.

Despite being valued in traditional and medical contexts for centuries, the global view on cannabis began to shift during the 20th century, especially in the West.

🚫 Criminalization of Cannabis

The criminalization of cannabis was driven more by political and racial motives than by medical evidence. In the United States, rising immigration in the early 1900s brought new cannabis consumption methods — especially smoking — from Mexico and the Caribbean.

Anti-immigrant sentiment and racial prejudice fueled fear-mongering campaigns. In the 1930s, Harry Anslinger, head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, led a media crusade that painted cannabis as a threat to social order — associating its use with crime, insanity, and minorities. This campaign resulted in the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which effectively criminalized cannabis at the federal level.

By 1970, cannabis was listed as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, placing it in the same category as heroin and LSD. This classification declared cannabis as having “no accepted medical use” — despite mounting scientific evidence to the contrary — and laid the foundation for the War on Drugs, a punitive approach that devastated marginalized communities.

⚖️ Impact on Criminal Justice

Cannabis prohibition has disproportionately affected communities of color for decades. Despite comparable usage rates across racial groups, Black Americans are nearly four times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than white Americans.

The consequences of these arrests are profound:

• Criminal records often lead to loss of employment, denial of housing, and limited access to education or public assistance.
• Incarceration for cannabis-related offenses continues even in states where cannabis is now legal.
• Families and communities have been fractured by mass incarceration, with long-term social and economic repercussions.

This systemic harm has sparked growing advocacy for cannabis justice — the idea that legalization must include reparative action.

🧹 Decriminalization and Reform

Over the last 25 years, the tide has turned. Starting with California’s medical legalization in 1996, states began challenging federal cannabis policy.

Today:

• Over 20 U.S. states have legalized cannabis for recreational use.
• More than 37 states allow some form of medical cannabis.
• Federal momentum is building toward descheduling or rescheduling cannabis to reflect its medical value.

Key reform milestones include:

• In 2022, President Joe Biden issued federal pardons for all prior simple possession offenses.
• States like Maryland, Illinois, and New York now offer automatic expungement of cannabis records.
• International bodies, including the World Health Organization, have formally recommended loosening cannabis restrictions.

These efforts signal a cultural and political shift — but legalization alone does not guarantee justice.

🤝 Social Equity and Ownership

The legal cannabis industry is booming — but who gets to participate?

Historically excluded groups, particularly Black and Indigenous communities, have faced barriers in entering the industry, even after legalization. Licensing costs, limited access to funding, and bureaucratic red tape continue to hinder equity.

To counter this, many jurisdictions have introduced social equity programs that:

• Prioritize licensing for individuals impacted by the War on Drugs
• Provide grants and business training
• Offer fee reductions or priority processing

Yet, equity remains a work in progress:

• Only 2% of cannabis businesses in the U.S. are Black-owned
• Many social equity licensees struggle to compete against large, well-funded corporations

True equity in cannabis means building an industry that reflects the communities most harmed by prohibition — and giving them the tools and support to succeed.

📈 Cannabis Timeline

• 2700 BCE: Medicinal use in China
• 1500 BCE: Spiritual use in India (bhang)
• 1800s: Western medical use
• 1937: U.S. federal criminalization
• 1970: Schedule I classification
• 1996: First legal U.S. medical cannabis (CA)
• 2022: Federal pardons, equity programs expand
• Today: Global shift toward legalization and inclusion

📚 References

1. ACLU. (2020). A Tale of Two Countries: Racially Targeted Arrests in the Era of Marijuana Reform. Home | American Civil Liberties Union
2. White House. (2022). Fact Sheet: President Biden Announces Pardon of All Prior Federal Offenses of Simple Possession of Marijuana. The White House
3. World Health Organization. (2019). Cannabis: Review of Therapeutic Use and Public Health Impact. https://www.who.int
4. Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. (2023). https://mmcc.maryland.gov
5. The Last Prisoner Project. (2024). Cannabis Justice and Reform. https://www.lastprisonerproject.org
6. NORML. (2024). Cannabis Laws by State. https://norml.org/laws
7. King, L. A., & Carpentier, C. (2009). Cannabis: Legalization and Control. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.