Canada’s Cannabis Journal since 2010
By Ted Smith Relying upon sailboats to expand trade and conquer territories meant the English had to gain access to large amounts of hemp rope and canvas. Since being raided by the Romans, canvas sails made from hemp and hemp rope became very important for their navy and commercial fleets. While most of this hemp […]
In the 19th century many intellectuals in Europe were very curious about the use of various plants for mystical experiences. Indeed, with the decline of the church’s ability to condemn people to death for using mind-altering plants, the 1800’s were the first time since before the Dark Ages that anyone in the western world could […]
After Marco Polo opened up the trade routes between the east and west many foreign goods and traditions began appearing in Europe, but none were as intriguing as hash and opium. Despite the best efforts of the church, a surge of interest in secret arts spread like wildfire. Known as alchemy or witchcraft depending upon […]
The importance of having CBD with your THC By Owen Smith The recent discovery of cannabinoid receptors in the human body presents exciting new targets for medical research, yet only confirms what patients have been saying for decades, whole plant cannabis works for them. Seriously ill people who have run the gamut of conventional medicine […]
One of the most fascinating societies to have existed are the Hashishins. This Islamic sect lived in the mountainous areas of modern day Iran and Iraq, building formidable defences between the 10th and 13th centuries. Most commonly known as the Assassins, this culture struck fear into the hearts of every ruler nearby despite their heavy […]
By Ted Smith While it has been understood that hash has been used by Islamic followers since its beginnings, the history of cannabis in that religion has been obscured and hidden. Certainly hash was not an integral part of the life of Mohammed, but it is not certain whether or not he ever used it […]
Cannabis in the Modern Era In the second part of this series on Cannabis Extracts in History I looked at references from 1CE to the 17th century when cannabis began to emerge in the west as a prominent medicine. The modern era is dominated by prohibition. Check out this ‘History of marijuana law in the […]
Crucified or Catatonic: Was Jesus Given Cannabis on the Cross? Jesus died for our sins, or so we have been told. In the writings that were collected hundreds of years after his death there are many clues pointing to another possibility, a possibility that Jesus did not actually die on the cross but that he […]
Cannabis in the Common Era In the first part of this series on Cannabis Extracts in History I looked at references from Before the Common Era or 1CE. In China, where we find the earliest advancements in cannabis/hemp production (5000 BCE), physicians beginning with Hoa-Tho (200 CE) prescribed cannabis mixed with wine as an analgesic […]
In order to advance our understanding of the potential of cannabis as a medicine, it is helpful to look back through history at the many times and places that this plant has emerged into the local materia medica. Cannabis may be set for an archaic revival as modern science is now exploring the neuroprotective qualities […]