Archeological evidence indicates that the earliest use of Cannabis dates backsome 10,000 years. This is based upon, amongst other discoveries, clay pots whichwere discovered in Taiwan containing strands of Cannabis fibre in thedecorations.

From around 2,300 BC to 1000 BC, Cannabis was introduced into other cultures bynomadic tribes who it is believed travelled from central Persia (Iran and Iraq)north and west through the Middle East, Africa and Europe and south to India.

Due to its quite amazing properties, Cannabis became entwined into the culturesof the Middle East, Asia Minor, India, China, Japan, Europe and Africa.

The first archeological remains of Cannabis in England date back to 400 AD whereevidence suggests that it was cultivated at Old Buckenham Mere. Its cultivationspread at a great rate in the British Isles during the first century.Interestingly enough, under Queen Elizabeth I, it was law that if you owned morethan a certain amount of land, some of it had to be set aside to grow Cannabis.Under Queen Elizabeth II, you can spend up to fourteen years in prison and face anunlimited fine for growing Cannabis.

The psychoactive properties of Cannabis have been put to use by many of theworld's religious orders in order to achieve a higher state of consciousness.These include:

• Shintoism (Japan) - Cannabis was used to bind married couples together, thusdriving away any evil spirits and ensuring a happy marriage.

• Hinduism (India) - It is said that the God Shiva brought Cannabis down fromthe mountains for human enjoyment and enlightenment. Sardu Priests carry withthem "chillums" (cylindrical hollow pipes) filled with sacred herb to shareamongst the people.

• Buddhists (Tibet, China and India) - From the 5th century BC, Cannabis has formedthe integral part within many ceremonious and is considered by many to be themost holy plant. Within many Buddhist scriptures are claims that the Buddhahimself used and ate nothing other than Cannabis and its seeds for six yearsbefore discovering his truths and becoming the Buddha.

• Sufis of Islam (Middle East) - For the last thousand years or so, these MoslemPriests have extolled the virtues of Cannabis for its divine revelations,insights and oneness with Allah.

• Coptic Christians (Egypt/Ethiopia) - There are many references in the bible tothe "Sacred Herb." These include:

  "And the Earth brought forth grass and herb-yielding seed after its kind and thetree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself after its kind: and God saw that itwas good." Genesis: Chapter 1, Verse 12

  "I will rise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumedwith hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more." Ezekiel34;29

  Coptic Christians as well as many other enlightened cultures see these referencesto "herb" as being directly related to Cannabis. Other references to incenses andanointing oils are also believed to be related to Cannabis.

• Bantus (Africa) - Secret Dagga cults ran by male tribe leaders, believed thatDagga (Cannabis) was brought down to Earth by the Gods, in particular the "twodog star." These cults used Cannabis as a religious sacrament.

• Rastafari (Jamaica and elsewhere) - Cannabis is an integral part within the livesof Rastafarians who use it as a sacred sacrament to communicate with Jah (God).Allegedly, Rastas living in predominantly white western societies are persecutedby racist white policemen who use the laws against Cannabis to stop and searchlaw-abiding black youths.

The recreational, spiritual, and therapeutic use of Cannabis has continued inmany parts of Asia, Africa, and Southern America. Sadly, its industrial use hasbeen suppressed by western governments who have forced other "cash crops" such ascotton, with all its environmental damage, to be grown. Perhaps the saddestexample of this is Bangladesh. Bangladesh (Cannabis growing people) signed anagreement with the USA back in the 1970s, to stop growing Cannabis. The soilstructure soon began to break down, causing widespread ecological disaster. Withthe soil structure destroyed, the Monsoon rainstorms caused mass flooding anduntold human suffering.

The recreational use of Cannabis was virtually unheard of in Britain until the1950s when migrants from the Caribbean brought with them "Ganja." Its usebecame popular amongst white jazz musicians playing in clubs in Soho, London. Indeed the first "drugs bust" was at the "Number 11 Club," Soho, in 1952.