The History and Evolution of Medical Cannabis

The history of medical cannabis dates back thousands of years. Cannabis was one of the earliest cultivated plants, and its potential medicinal properties have been documented in Western medicine since the 19th century . However, most states banned cannabis in the early 20th century, and the federal government followed suit in 1937, largely due to racial animus toward Mexican immigrants and African-Americans.
Despite this, cannabis appeared in the U.S. Pharmacopeia from 1851 until 1942 with reference to use as an analgesic, hypnotic, and anticonvulsant . The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 then placed cannabis on the most restrictive Schedule I, meaning it was found to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
In 1996, California became the first state to permit legal access to and use of botanical cannabis for medicinal purposes . As of 2017, 28 states, Washington D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico have enacted legislation governing medicinal cannabis sale and distribution. However, the federal government's classification of cannabis as a Schedule I drug has continued to limit research and access.