History
        The exact origins of something as old as cannabis can never be that clear. Historians generally agree that Cannabis was one of the first crops to be cultivated by Man.

        Archeological evidence indicates that the earliest use of Cannabis dates back some 10,000 years. This is based upon, amongst other discoveries, clay pots which were discovered in Taiwan containing strands of Cannabis fibre in the decorations.

        From around 2,300 BC to 1000 BC, Cannabis was introduced into other cultures by nomadic 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 cultures of the Middle East, Asia Minor, India, China, Japan, Europe and Africa.

        The first archeological remains of Cannabis in England date back to 400 AD where evidence suggests that it was cultivated at Old Buckenham Mere. Its cultivation spread 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 more than 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 an unlimited fine for growing Cannabis.

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

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

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

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

        Sufis of Islam (Middle East) - For the last thousand years or so, these Moslem Priests have extolled the virtues of Cannabis for it's divine revelations, insights and oneness with Allah.

        Coptic Christians (Egypt/Ethiopia) - There are many references in the bible to the "Sacred Herb." These include:
        "And the Earth brought forth grass and herb-yielding seed after its kind and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself after its kind: and God saw that it was good." Genesis: Chapter 1, Verse 12

        "I will rise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more." Ezekiel 34;29
        Coptic Christians as well as many other enlightened cultures see these references to "herb" as being directly related to Cannabis. Other references to incenses and anointing oils are also believed to be related to Cannabis.
        Bantus (Africa) - Secret Dagga cults ran by male tribe leaders, believed that Dagga (Cannabis) was brought down to Earth by the Gods, in particular the "two dog star." These cults used Cannabis as a religious sacrament.

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

        The recreational, spiritual, and therapeutic use of Cannabis has continued in many parts of Asia, Africa, and Southern America. Sadly, its industrial use has been suppressed by western governments who have forced other "cash-crops" such as cotton, with all it's environmental damage, to be grown. Perhaps the saddest example of this is Bangladesh. Bangladesh (Cannabis growing people) signed an agreement with the USA back in the 1970s, to stop growing Cannabis. The soil structure soon began to break down, causing widespread ecological disaster. With the soil structure destroyed, the Monsoon rainstorms caused mass flooding and untold human suffering.

        The recreational use of Cannabis was virtually unheard of in Britain until the 1950s when migrants from the Caribbean brought with them "Ganja." Its use became 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.

        Oddly enough, it was after the 1961 UN Single Convention on Drugs, that the recreational use of Cannabis became widespread. It became an integral part of the newly-emerging Hippy lifestyle. By the 1970s, its use had spread into all walks of life. Today, cannabis is no longer restricted to any one section of the community, with policeman, judges - and allegedly MPs and royalty - using this, the most favourite of illegal drugs.