The history of cannabis is long, layered, and global. What began as a sacred and medicinal plant thousands of years ago is now a central part of wellness, culture, and industry.
At County Road Cannabis, we believe education helps break stigma. This guide offers a brief look at cannabis’s origins, evolution, and how we got to where we are today.
Ancient Origins: 2700 BCE to 500 CE
Cannabis has been used for over 4,000 years. The first documented use comes from ancient China, where Emperor Shen Nung listed it in his pharmacopoeia around 2700 BCE.
Soon after, cannabis appeared in:
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India – Used in spiritual rituals and Ayurvedic healing
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Egypt – Applied for inflammation and eye conditions
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Greece and Rome – Used for pain relief, digestion, and sedation
It was respected as a healing agent and spiritual enhancer across multiple cultures.
Medieval to Colonial Periods
Through trade and migration, cannabis spread through the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. By the 1600s, hemp (a cannabis variety) was critical in colonial America for making rope, paper, and textiles.
Cannabis extracts were sold in U.S. pharmacies during the 1800s as treatments for pain, insomnia, and nausea.
The Rise of Prohibition (1900s)
By the 1930s, cannabis became the target of politically motivated campaigns in the U.S. Misleading rhetoric and racially charged narratives led to its federal criminalization in 1937 through the Marihuana Tax Act.
The 1970 Controlled Substances Act made things worse, listing cannabis as a Schedule I drug alongside heroin—despite limited evidence of harm.
Legalization and Modern Use
The tide began to turn in the 1990s with the rise of medical cannabis programs. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first U.S. states to legalize adult-use cannabis.
As of 2025, cannabis is legal in most U.S. states for either medical or adult use—including New York, where County Road Cannabis proudly operates under full compliance.
Cannabis Today: Wellness, Access, and Education
Modern consumers use cannabis for:
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Pain relief and stress reduction
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Sleep support and mental clarity
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Recreational enjoyment
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Cultural expression and creativity
Science is catching up with what ancient cultures already knew: cannabis is a powerful, complex plant worthy of respect and responsible use.
Continue the Journey with County Road Cannabis
At County Road Cannabis, we honor the history of cannabis by offering safe, legal, and expertly curated products for modern use.
Visit us in New Hampton or browse our online menu to explore today’s cannabis—rooted in centuries of tradition.
