History of Hemp

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Humankinds and hemps relationship spans Eons. In fact, the oldest fiber ever found was made of hemp, it was found in an area that was ancient Mesopotamia. Hemp was also used as a textile fiber in China and Eurasia 10,000 years ago(1).

In 2737BC the Chinese Emperor Sheng Nun said cannabis was a "superior herb"(2).Emperor Shen Nung documented its use for treating rheumatism, gout, and even absent-mindedness (3).

From 5000-3000 B.C. the Yangshao civilization thrived around the middle of the Yellow River in China. They used bows and arrows for hunting, kept dogs and pigs and used hemp for fabrics(4). In China around the second century B.C. Hemp was one of the principle crops of Han farmers. Male plants were used for fabrics, and hemp seed was considered a Cereal food(5). Hemp seed was also used in preparation of drinks, in early Chinese culture(6). The ancient Chinese also used Cannabis medically as an analgesic(7). Ancient Chinese Taoist mixed cannabis and other ingredients together then burned them in incense burners and inhaled the smoke(8 ).

Also Greek historian Herodotus reported in the fifth century BC that Scythians living near the black sea used cannabis(9).The Scythians used cannabis as part of their religious rituals(10). The ritual was for purification as part of a ceremony to bury the dead. It called for throwing cannabis seeds on red-hot stones. Evidence of smoking cannabis has also been found, it felt that, this use might have been for relaxation and not part of the ceremony(11 ).

Early Judaism and Christianity have references to cannabis. Ancient Hebrew culture, religion and mysticism such as the Cabala mention cannabis(12).In 1980, An Etymologist at Hebrew University in Jerusalem authenticated that the Hebrew word kineboisin in the old testament is in fact Cannabis(13 ).

An error occurred in the oldest translation of the Hebrew bible Septuagint. In the third century BC the term; kaneh bosom (exodus 30:23) were incorrectly translated as "calamus.", when in fact the correct translation is cannabis, the error followed in the many translations that followed, including Martin Luther(14).

Nero's Surgeon Diosorides, gave "cannabis Sativa" it's name, a name it still has today(15 ).Ancient Rome used hemp and occasionally published directions on how to grow in the hopes of creating a domestic supply. Despite this Rome imported a substantial amount of hemp, most of it from Sura in Babylonia(16 ).

During the inquisition in Spain in the 12 century, wine was allowed as a sacrament, and they tolerated beer and hard liquor but they outlawed cannabis as a "witch drug" along with other natural remedies, as did France in the 13^th century(17). Joan of arc, was charged in 1430-31 of using "witch drugs", such as Cannabis, to hear voices(18).

During the Bronze Age hemp was grown everywhere in Europe for it's fiber and oil yielding seeds(19).

In the 16th century Elizabeth I encouraged its cultivation. (20).