When did people start smoking weed?

1. We're talking about a plant that's been around for over 5,000 years! That's right, cannabis has been used for all sorts of things - from medicine to spirituality to just plain old farming. 🌱🙏
2. One of the earliest known instances of cannabis use comes from ancient China, where Emperor Shen Nong, known as the "Divine Farmer," discovered the plant's health benefits around 2700 BC. 👑🌿
3. The spread of cannabis across the globe is often attributed to the ancient trading route known as the Silk Road, which connected China to Europe and facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas. 🐪🌍
4. Fast forward to 500 BC, and we've got archaeological evidence from the Jirzankal Cemetery in the Pamir Mountains. Turns out, ancient folks there were using cannabis in their burial rituals, getting high and enjoying the euphoria from the burning seeds. 💀🔥
5. Greek historian Herodotus, in 440 BC, reported that the Scythians, a nomadic tribe from Siberia, would build tents and inhale the fumes from cannabis placed on hot rocks, indicating an early form of hotboxing. ⛺️💨
6. In India, the use of bhang, a cannabis-based substance, has deep religious ties to the Hindu god Shiva. Since the 5th century, bhang has been consumed during the celebrations of Holi and Maha Shivratri. 🕉️🎉
7. As cannabis made its way through Asia, Africa, and Europe, it became the ultimate multi-purpose crop. From textiles to medicine to spiritual practices, this plant was everywhere! 🤐🌍
8. The mid-1600s saw the introduction of hemp cultivation in the Americas, with settlers using the plant for agricultural purposes. Even George Washington, the first U.S. president, grew hemp at his Mount Vernon estate. 🇺🇸🌾
9. In 1833, Irish physician William Brooke O'Shaughnessy studied the medical benefits of cannabis in India, paving the way for its recognition and use in Western medicine during the 19th and early 20th centuries. 👨‍⚕️🌿
10. Weed has been a big deal for thousands of years, with people using it for all kinds of reasons. From ancient burial rituals to George Washington's farm, this plant has seen it all, long before its modern-day controversies and legal status. 😂❌

📝 SOURCES: All articles are based on publicly available information unless otherwise noted.

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