History of marijuana

  • 3000 BCE

    First used

    Was used for its fiber, food, and medicinal properties in China
  • Western Medicine

    Cannabis was introduced to Western medicine, and its use for therapeutic purposes increased
  • Media

    The film Reefer Madness was released, demonising cannabis as a highly addictive drug that caused mental disorder and violence.
  • THC

    A synthetic form of THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, was created for medicinal purposes.
  • Legality

    Medical cannabis was first legally available for prescription in the U.S. between 1996 and 1999, with eight states supporting its use despite federal opposition.
  • Today

    A majority of U.S. states had legalized medical cannabis, though federal prohibition remains in place.