History of CBD and Cannabis

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis plant. It is one of over 100 cannabinoids identified in cannabis, but unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD does not produce the psychoactive effects often referred to as a "high." CBD is widely researched and used for its potential therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic and neuroprotective properties. It is commonly extracted from hemp, a variety of cannabis with low THC content, and is available in various forms such as oils, tinctures, capsules, edibles and topical products.

There are two main species of Cannabis plant - C. sativa and C. indica. 

History of Cannabis

The cannabis plant has been around for tens of thousands of years and has been used by many different cultures throughout history for medicinal, religious and ritualistic purposes. 

Archeological evidence suggests that Cannabis was first cultivated as early as 12,000 years ago in Central Asia however the earliest known written records indicate it was used by Chinese Emperor Shen-Nung (also known as Shennong) in 2800 BCE. Shennong personally tried and catalogued over 365 species of medicinal plants including cannabis, ginseng, tea and Chinese cinnamon in an attempt to find better medicinal treatments. Shen-Nung noted the Cannabis plant's use for various medicinal purposes, such as treating rheumatism, malaria and "absent-mindedness".

Ancient History Cannabis Uses

• Ancient Taiwan (circa 8000 BCE): Archaeological evidence suggests that hemp (a variety of cannabis) was used as early as 8000 BCE in Taiwan. Hemp fibers were found in ancient pottery, indicating its use in making items like cloth and rope.
• Ancient India (circa 2000-1400 BCE): The sacred Hindu texts, the Vedas, mention cannabis as one of the five sacred plants. It was used in religious rituals and for medicinal purposes. The Atharva Veda (ancient Hindu scripture), in particular, refers to cannabis as "bhang" and describes its use for both psychoactive and healing properties. "Bhang" was a sacred drink that was made by grinding cannabis leaves into a paste and then blending it with milk, spices and other herbs.
• Ancient Egypt (circa 1550 BCE): The Ebers Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian medical text dating back to around 1550 BCE, references the use of cannabis for treating inflammation and other ailments. The name ‘Shemshemet’ sometimes shows up in Ancient Egyptian texts and it's believed to have been the word they used for Cannabis. 
• Scythians and Central Asia (circa 1000 BCE): Archaeological evidence, such as the discovery of cannabis seeds and residues in burial mounds of the Scythians, a nomadic group in Central Asia, indicates its use for both recreational and ritualistic purposes. Herodotus, a Greek historian, wrote about the Scythians using cannabis in steam baths for ritual purification around 450 BCE. The cannabis plant is believed to have made it's way to Eastern Europe via the Scythians. 

Cannabis was also mentioned in ancient texts, both religious and otherwise including Shen-Nung's "The Classic of Herbal Medicine", sacred Hindu texts known as "The Vedas", the ancient Egyptian medical text "Ebers Papyrus", Pliny the Elder's "Natural History" (ancient Rome) and the "Zoroastrian Texts" from ancient Persia. 

Cannabis in the Middle Ages

• Middle East and Africa (circa 500 CE): Cannabis spread throughout the Middle East and Africa, where it became part of traditional healing practices. In the Islamic world, the use of cannabis, particularly hashish (a concentrated form of cannabis), became popular despite religious prohibitions on alcohol.
• Europe (circa 10th-12th Century): In medieval Europe, hemp (Cannabis sativa cultivars), a non-psychoactive variety of cannabis, was widely grown for its fibers which were used to make ropes, textiles and paper. It had minimal use as a psychoactive or medicinal substance during this time. 

Cannabis in the New World

• The Americas (circa 1500's): Cannabis was introduced to the Americas by the Spanish in the 16th century, who cultivated hemp for fiber production. English settlers in North America, particularly in Virginia and Massachusetts, were also encouraged to grow hemp for similar purposes.
• Medical Use in Western Medicine (circa 1800's): Cannabis became popular in Western medicine during the 19th century. Irish physician William O'Shaughnessy introduced cannabis to Britain after learning about its medicinal use in India. Cannabis tinctures were used for a variety of ailments, including pain, migraines and insomnia.

First Ever Cannabinoid Discovered | 1930's

The first cannabinoid discovered was cannabinol (CBN). It was isolated and identified by British chemist Robert S. Cahn in the early 1930s. CBN was initially thought to be the active component responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, but later research revealed that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid. Following the discovery of CBN, other cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD) and THC, were subsequently identified and studied. CBN is most often used as a sleeping aid. 

Marihuana Tax Act of 1937

By the early 1900's, recreational use of marijuana began increasing in the United States, particularly the psychoactive versions. 

In 1937, the U.S. passed the Marihuana Tax Act, effectively making cannabis illegal. This was driven by a combination of racial prejudice, economic interests (such as competition with the timber industry), and fear of marijuana's psychoactive effects. This period marked the start of global cannabis prohibition as many countries followed suit.

Discovery of the Cannabinoid CBD | 1940

Dr. Roger Adams discovered CBD in 1940 while working at the University of Illinois. He isolated CBD from the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa) through a process of extracting and purifying the compound. Adams and his team used ethanol extraction followed by vacuum distillation to isolate and identify CBD as a distinct chemical compound from the plant. His team's work laid the foundation for future research into the chemical properties and therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids. 

Father of Cannabis Research | Early 1960's

In the early 1960s, scientist Dr. Raphael Mechoulam and his team played a pivotal role in understanding the chemical composition and therapeutic potential of cannabis, particularly its active compounds, including THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol), CBG (cannabigerol) and CBC (Cannabichromene). 

Mechoulam and his colleague Yechiel Gaoni were the first to isolate and identify the chemical structure of THC, the main psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. This discovery laid the foundation for future research into how cannabis affects the brain and body. Around the same time, Mechoulam and his team also isolated the structure of CBD (cannabidiol), distinguishing it from THC as a non-psychoactive compound with significant medicinal properties.

Controlled Substances Act of 1970

The Controlled Substances Act, passed during President Richard Nixon’s administration, established drug scheduling to regulate substances based on their medical use, potential for abuse and safety. Marijuana was placed in Schedule I, alongside drugs like heroin, LSD and ecstasy.

Over the years there have been several attempts to reclassify marijuana however as of 2024, it still remains a schedule 1 drug. 

Cannabis Decriminalization in the U.S. | 1970's

1973: Oregon became the first U.S. state to decriminalize cannabis, reducing the penalty for possessing small amounts to a mere fine.

Late 1970's: Following Oregon’s lead, 10 other U.S. states decriminalized cannabis in the 1970s, including Alaska, California and New York. The movement stalled in the 1980s with the rise of the War on Drugs under President Ronald Reagan.

By the year 2024, over 30 countries, including the United States, have decriminalized the recreational use of cannabis. Approximately 12 countries have legalized the recreational use of cannabis, including but not limited to Canada, Germany, Mexico, Thailand, South Africa, Georgia & more. 

Discovery of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) | Early 1990's

In the early 1990s, Mechoulam’s research helped uncover the existence of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex cell-signaling system in the human body that plays a role in regulating various physiological processes including mood, appetite, pain and immune function. Mechoulam's team discovered the first endocannabinoid, anandamide and later 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol), both of which are natural compounds produced by the body that interact with the ECS in a manner similar to THC and CBD.

Medical Cannabis Legalization | 1996

In 1996, California became the first U.S. state to legalize medical marijuana with the passing of Proposition 215. In between 1996 and 2000, 7 more states legalized medical marijuana including  Oregon, Alaska, Washington, Maine, Hawaii, Nevada and Colorado. By 2024, 38 states and the District of Columbia, have legalized the use of medical marijuana. 

Medical conditions that qualify for a medical marijuana card include, but are not limited to: 

• PTSD
• Seizure
• Chronic Pain
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Migraines
• Fibromyalgia
• Parkinson's Disease
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Spinal Cord Injury
• and more

Recreational Cannabis Legalization | Early 2010's

The movement for full legalization of cannabis started to gain traction in the early 2010s. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first U.S. states to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for persons over the age of 21. Other countries, such as Uruguay (2013) and Canada (2018), followed making cannabis legal for both medicinal and recreational use.

As of late 2024, 24 U.S. states have legalized recreational cannabis. 

Hemp Derived CBD Products Become Federally Legalized | 2018

In 2018 the Agriculture Improvement Act, also known as the 2018 Farm Bill, was signed into law, making hemp-based CBD products legal in the United States.

Hemp based CBD products must contain less than 0.03% THC levels to be considered legal. 

History of Cannabis & CBD History FAQ's 

How long has CBD been around?

CBD (Cannabidiol) was first extracted from cannabis in 1940.