In
the U.S. and some parts of the world, the idea of using legal medical
marijuana remains a hotly debated issue. Both proponents and
opponents of the idea have laid down a lot of good points, so much so
that the public is still divided on the matter. Regardless of public
perception, however, it is important remember that using marijuana
for medical purposes is nothing new.
Marijuana,
or cannabis,
was first recorded to have been used as a healing herb in China
around 1500 BCE, although historians believe that the practice
stretches as far back as 6000 BCE or even earlier. Cannabis seems to
have spread outside of Asia, as ancient texts in Egypt that date back
to 1213 BCE include instructions on how to use cannabis to treat
inflammation and glaucoma. In fact, Carl Sagan (1934-1996) once
proposed that cannabis may have been the first agricultural crop ever
to have been harvested by man.
By
the 1840s, cannabis became a popular, albeit addictive, drug in the
West for treating headaches, insomnia, and lack of appetite. It was
only in the 1900s when addiction to cannabis became a widespread
concern, such that prohibitions were enforced against it. It was not
until 1991 when its use for medical purposes was once again legalized
in San Francisco. As of April 14, 2014 about 21 states in the U.S.
allow the regulated use of medical cannabis.
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