The history of medical cannabis is a fascinating tapestry that weaves together ancient wisdom with modern scientific inquiry. Historical records reveal that many ancient civilizations, including those in Egypt and China, utilized cannabis to treat a variety of diseases, such as fatigue, rheumatism, and malaria. This practice was not limited to these regions alone; societies across India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, South Africa, and South America also documented the medicinal uses of cannabis for ailments like pain, malaria, constipation, fever, and many others (Leafly, n.d.).
The pioneering work of Irish physician William Brooke O’Shaughnessy largely influenced the shift towards the medicalization of cannabis in the modern sense. Stationed in India during the 1840s, O’Shaughnessy conducted extensive research into the medicinal potential of cannabis, which was a common remedy in India. His rigorous examinations and experiments on animals and humans, particularly in treating diseases like cholera, rheumatism, and tetanus, were meticulously documented and later published in notable works like The Bengal Dispensatory (1842) and The Bengal Pharmacopoeia (1844). This groundbreaking work ignited significant interest in the medical community about the therapeutic virtues of cannabis (Russo, 2002).
The ripple effect of O’Shaughnessy’s research transcended geographical boundaries, finding resonance in the British and European medical circles. His findings were republished in numerous medical journals, sparking a surge of scientific inquiry into cannabis. Between 1840 and 1900, more than 100 articles on the medical use of cannabis were featured in medical journals. The British medical community, in particular, embraced cannabis for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiemetic, and anticonvulsant properties. However, the apprehension towards its psychoactive attributes cast a shadow, leading to its removal from the British Pharmacopoeia by 1932 (Russo, 2002).
Across the Atlantic, the influence of O’Shaughnessy’s work found a foothold in the United States, with cannabis being listed in the United States Dispensatory in 1854. Commercial cannabis became available in drugstores and pharmacies, often prescribed by doctors for its sedative, hypnotic, and analgesic properties, among others. The latter part of the 19th century witnessed a growing body of research in the United States and the United Kingdom, further elucidating the benefits of cannabis in managing pain, anxiety, migraines, and restlessness. However, the dawn of the 20th century saw a decline in medicinal cannabis use, overshadowed by the emergence of synthetic drugs like aspirin and chloral hydrate, which were perceived as more stable and reliable (Leafly, n.d.).
The narrative of medical cannabis is a journey of discovery, skepticism, and resurgence. From the ancient fields of Egypt and China to the scientific laboratories of the 19th and 20th centuries, cannabis has woven a unique path through the annals of medical history. As contemporary medicine revisits and unravels the therapeutic potentials of cannabis, the odyssey of this ancient herb continues to unfold, bearing testimony to the enduring quest for natural remedies in the realm of healing.
Please visit sources:
Leafly. (n.d.). The origins of weed: How the plant spread across the world. Retrieved from https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/origins-of-weed
Russo, E. B. (2002). Cannabis treatments in obstetrics and gynecology: A historical review. Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, 2(3-4), pp. 5–35. doi:10.1300/J175v02n03_02 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J175v02n03_02
