Think you know cannabis history? Sure, you might know about 4/20 and Amsterdam coffeeshops, but cannabis has been changing the world long before your first joint.
Let’s dive into the hidden gems of cannabis history — events that made the cannabis culture what it is today.
1. The First Cannabis Prescription — 2737 BC
Way back in ancient China, Emperor Shen Nung recommended cannabis tea for all kinds of ailments.
That’s right — long before wellness bloggers were sipping CBD lattes, ancient royalty was already vibing with the green. Cannabis was a legit part of traditional Chinese medicine — talk about being ahead of your time.
2. Paris’ Hashish Club — 1840s
Imagine this: it’s the 1840s, you’re chilling in a smoky Parisian lounge, passing hash around with Victor Hugo and Charles Baudelaire.
Le Club des Hashischins (yes, that’s real) was a secret society of French writers and artists exploring hash and altered consciousness.
Basically, an OG stoner book club — but make it high art.
3. Jazz and Joints — The 1920s
When jazz blew up in Harlem, cannabis was right there in the mix. Musicians called it “muggles” or “viper weed,” and it fueled the creativity behind some of the most legendary tracks ever laid down.
If you’ve ever felt extra groovy after a smoke sesh and a Miles Davis playlist — you’re feeling that legacy.
4. The Marihuana Tax Act — 1937
In one of the shadiest political moves ever, the U.S. passed the Marihuana Tax Act. It didn’t outright ban cannabis — it just taxed it into oblivion.
The act was full of fearmongering, racism, and straight-up lies. Basically, Reefer Madness became federal policy.
5. The Beats Blaze Trails — 1950s
Long before hippies were dancing in the fields, the Beat Generation was rolling joints in smoky backrooms. Writers like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg embraced cannabis as a symbol of rebellion, freedom, and inspiration. Without them, stoner road trips and “chill and write poetry” energy might not even exist today.
6. LaGuardia Report Drops Truth Bombs — 1944
New York City’s Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia wasn’t buying the hype. He commissioned a massive study to figure out if weed really was the “killer drug” politicians claimed. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
The LaGuardia Report said cannabis wasn’t causing crime, madness, or the downfall of society — but the government tried to bury it anyway.
7. Summer of Love Sparks It All — 1967
Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, Summer of Love — it wasn’t just about flowers in your hair. It was about rolling one up, sharing it with strangers, and dreaming of a better world. Cannabis became the unofficial spirit of peace, love, and counterculture.
8. Amsterdam’s First Coffeeshop — 1972
Enter Mellow Yellow, Amsterdam’s first cannabis-friendly coffeeshop.
You could sit, relax, and light up — no sketchy alley deals required.
This move helped turn Amsterdam into a global cannabis tourist paradise — and lowkey changed how the world saw public cannabis consumption.
9. DEA’s Own Judge Supports Weed — 1988
In a twist no one expected, DEA Judge Francis Young ruled after a major hearing that cannabis was “one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man.”
You’d think that would’ve changed everything, right?
Nope — the DEA ignored it.
(But it fueled a new wave of legalization activism.)
10. California Lights It Up — Prop 215 (1996)
California said, “Hold my joint,” and became the first state to legalize medical marijuana.
Proposition 215 paved the way for today’s legal cannabis movement across the country.
If you’re legally lighting up somewhere today, you can thank some brave Californians from the ’90s.
Rolling up this post.
Cannabis didn’t just pop up with a few modern dispensaries and vape pens. It’s been inspiring, healing, annoying politicians, and uniting rebels across centuries. And guess what? You’re part of that legacy now.
Ready to plan your own piece of cannabis history? Check out our 420-friendly travel guides, or learn about the history of cannabis in America and discover the best cannabis-friendly states for your next vacation! And remember — find great, safe, and tested products with us at USAWeed.org!
