Long before modern dispensaries or scientific studies, cannabis was already making history. This humble plant has journeyed across continents and millennia — burned in prehistoric rituals, prescribed in ancient medicine, and revered in sacred ceremonies. Join us as we follow cannabis through time, tracing its earliest roots from the highlands of Central Asia to the temples of Egypt, Persia, and beyond.

The First Puff: Cannabis in Prehistoric Rituals

Archaeological discoveries suggest that humans have been burning cannabis for spiritual or medicinal purposes for over 10,000 years. At a burial site in what is now Romania, hemp seeds were found beside a funerary pyre dating back to 5,000 BCE — one of the earliest hints that this plant played a role in early ritual practice.

But the most compelling evidence comes from the Yanghai Tombs in the Gobi Desert of western China. There, archaeologists unearthed nearly two pounds of cannabis flowers buried with a shaman of the Gūshī culture, dating back to around 2,700 BCE. This stash wasn’t grown for textiles — the flowers were rich in psychoactive compounds, suggesting they were meant for ritual or medicinal use.

And in the Pamir Mountains of western China, researchers discovered wooden braziers containing burned cannabis residue in tombs dated to 500 BCE. The smoke? Rich in THC — indicating these ancient people intentionally selected high-potency cannabis for inhalation during funerary rites.

“This evidence makes clear: ancient humans weren’t just using cannabis — they were curating and cultivating it for its psychoactive and spiritual effects.”

Cannabis in Ancient China: Medicine of the Divine Farmer

China’s rich history with cannabis stretches back over 5,000 years. One of the first written mentions appears in the Pen Ts’ao Ching, a legendary pharmacopeia attributed to the mythical emperor Shen Nong, also known as the Divine Farmer.

Shen Nong’s writings describe ma (cannabis) as a powerful medicine for over 100 ailments — including menstrual disorders, malaria, gout, and constipation. The text distinguishes between the male and female plants and highlights cannabis’ yin-yang balance, an essential concept in Chinese medicine.

By the time of the Han Dynasty (circa 100 CE), renowned physician Hua Tuo was using cannabis in surgical preparations, combining it with wine to create “mafeisan,” an early form of anesthetic.

In the Himalayas: Cannabis and Tibetan Spiritual Traditions

To the west of China, cannabis found sacred ground in Tibetan spiritual practices, especially within the ancient Bön religion that predates Buddhism. Cannabis was believed to facilitate meditation, divination, and communication with the spirit world.

In later Tibetan Buddhist texts, cannabis is listed as one of the five sacred plants with the power to bring clarity and joy to those who consume it mindfully. Some traditions describe the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara gifting cannabis to humans to ease suffering.

Sacred Smoke: Cannabis in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Persia

Cannabis reached ancient Egypt by at least 2,000 BCE, where it was used in medical treatments for inflammation, glaucoma, and childbirth pain. The Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest known medical texts, describes topical applications of cannabis for sore eyes and hemorrhoids.

Meanwhile, in Mesopotamia, Assyrian texts refer to a plant called qunubu — likely cannabis — used in incense blends during religious ceremonies. The word may even be the root of the modern term cannabis. These cultures didn’t just use cannabis medicinally — they burned it in temples as a spiritual offering.

In ancient Persia, cannabis was woven into Zoroastrian ritual. The sacred drink haoma, used by priests for inspiration and connection with the divine, is thought by some scholars to have contained cannabis or a similar entheogen. Persian writings speak of cannabis as a “good narcotic” — a tool for healing, insight, and communion with the gods.

Scythians, Vedas, and African Healers: A Global Tradition

As cannabis continued its westward journey, it found new purpose with the Scythians, a nomadic warrior culture. Greek historian Herodotus wrote of Scythians inhaling cannabis smoke in steam baths as part of funerary cleansing rituals — possibly the earliest documented example of hotboxing.

In India, cannabis became deeply embedded in Vedic culture. Sacred texts like the Atharva Veda call cannabis one of the five sacred plants, a source of joy, liberation, and healing. It was consumed as bhang, a cannabis-infused drink used in religious festivals and Ayurvedic medicine to treat anxiety, digestive issues, and more.

And across ancient Africa, cannabis was used by traditional healers to treat everything from fevers to snakebites. Archaeological evidence shows cannabis pollen in Egyptian mummies, and some Ethiopian and Southern African traditions still use cannabis in shamanic and medicinal rituals today.

Why This History Matters

Cannabis isn’t a trend — it’s a timeless medicine and spiritual tool. For over 10,000 years, cultures around the world have cultivated cannabis for healing, enlightenment, and ritual. As we rediscover this ancient plant in modern science and wellness, we’re not forging new paths — we’re reconnecting with our roots.

At Sea Change Cannabis, we believe the future of cannabis lies in honoring its past.

Want to learn more?

Check out our upcoming post:
“The Rise and Fall of Cannabis Medicine in Modern Times” — how colonialism, industrial interests, and propaganda erased centuries of knowledge.