History of Cannabis

Cannabis has been the subject of many debates both in history and recent years. As a plant, it predates humanity - there’s fossil evidence that suggests it evolved around 28 million years ago. From its benefits to its ‘criminal’ nature, The Home Office, police commissioners and royalty have all had something to say at one point in time. We’re going to explore the not-so-straight-forward history of cannabis below.  

The Birth of Cannabis Use 

Early History 

The history of cannabis dates as far back as 2800 BC, where the medicinal properties of the plant were used to treat a vast array of health problems. Originating in central Asia or western China, the first documented case was listed in the Emperor Shen Nung's pharmacopoeia - a book containing directions for the identification of compound medicines, published by an officially recognised authority. He was regarded as the father of Chinese medicine, so as you can imagine, this is pretty significant. 

We know cannabis was used during the Bronze Age too, because hemp fibres were found by archeologists amongst weapons and other items at a site in St Andrews, Scotland.

Ancient Civilisations

Moving through time, Indian Hindus, Assyrians, Greeks and Romans all mention therapeutic indications of cannabis in their texts. The texts reported the treatment of different health problems, including arthritis, depression, amenorrhea, inflammation, pain, lack of appetite and asthma. Sound familiar? That’s because medical cannabis in the UK is used for a lot of these same things today. 

Roman Britain and the Anglo-Saxons both farmed hemp for fibre, using it to create cords, sails, fishing nets, clothing, and other important materials. Romans also likely pressed the seeds for oil. 

There’s strong evidence that suggests hemp farming continued, and expanded, throughout mediaeval England. Places across the UK with ‘Hemp’ or ‘Hamp’ in the name, like Hampshire, were hubs of hemp production. Records from the mediaeval period indicate that in the UK, cannabis was an important medical and therapeutic tool. It was used as an anaesthetic, and to treat gout, weight loss, urinary infections and birthing issues, among other things. 

Early Modern Era and Beyond

Royalty and religion increased and decreased the use of cannabis in the UK over the next few hundred years. In 1484, Pope Innocent VIII essentially demonised the use of cannabis as a medicine, linking it to witches and declaring hemp-based therapies ‘an unholy sacrament of satanic rituals’. 

In 1533, King Henry VIII ordered farmers to grow hemp on a dedicated percentage of their land or they would face a fine. This was due to the growth of England’s supreme seafaring military. The hemp fibre was once again needed for ropes, sails, uniforms, and numerous other materials important to the Crown. 

In 1841, William Brooke O’Shaughnessy, who had been living in India, reintroduced cannabis to Western medicine. And, in 1890 Queen Victoria was prescribed cannabis for her menstrual cramps by her personal physician, Sir Russell Reynolds. Cannabis legalisation in the UK was shifting once again. 

Legal Landscape of Cannabis in the 20th Century 

The UK’s Role in Cannabis Legislation 

Like the rest of its history, cannabis legalisation in the UK doesn’t have a simple timeline. 

In 1923, when The League of Nations called for tighter controls over cannabis use, Britain asked for more evidence before any controls were imposed. This was mainly due to the positive findings of the India Hemp Drugs Commission. It concluded that moderate use produced practically no bad effects and instead may be beneficial.

However, in 1928, The Dangerous Drugs Act became law. Recreational use of cannabis in the UK was made illegal, leading people to view cannabis as a dangerous drug rather than a beneficial medicine. And although this didn’t change the fact that cannabis was still medically legal, doctors reportedly lost interest in prescribing it.

Between 1968 and 1969, a committee set up by the Home Office recommended that restrictions on cannabis use should be lifted, after concluding that the drug is no more harmful than alcohol or tobacco. But unfortunately, this didn’t happen. Instead, the 1969 Misuse of Drugs Act in England instated a maximum of five years’ imprisonment for cannabis possession.

It wasn’t until 1992 that the Home Office was able to lift restrictions on hemp cultivation. Hemcore became the first British company to legally grow industrial hemp.

In 2001, Home Secretary David Blunkett announced that cannabis would be moved from Class B to Class C, making possession a non-arrestable offence, and in 2004, this was formalised into law. But then we go backwards again. In 2009, cannabis went back to being Class B under the reasoning that it was more harmful to the body than previously thought. 

The Impact of International Treaties on UK Law

Cannabis legalisation in the UK is also significantly impacted by international laws and treaties. And, the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 is one of the main ones. It classifies cannabis as a Schedule I drug, meaning it’s considered to have a high potential for abuse and no recognised medical benefits. The UK is bound to uphold its laws and regulations surrounding cannabis as a signatory to this convention. 

The European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is another important international law which restricts the cultivation of cannabis for non-medical purposes in member countries, including the UK. This means that although medical cannabis in the UK is legal under certain circumstances, it cannot be grown for non-medical purposes within its borders without violating EU law.  

International trade agreements such as the United States-United Kingdom extradition treaty also play a role in shaping cannabis laws in the UK and how it’s used medically. It states that even if medical cannabis is legal in certain US states, individuals can still face legal consequences in the UK if they violate US federal laws. 

Regardless of differing opinions on the use of cannabis medicinally, it’s important that the international agreements that govern its legality are understood, respected and followed. It's possible that the use of medicated cannabis may become more widespread in the future. But this depends on research and potential changes to international laws.

Modern Era of Cannabis in the UK 

In 2018 medical cannabis was legalised in the UK following two high profile media campaigns. They centred around children with life-threatening epileptic seizures who had experienced significant improvements from cannabis. It prompted a surge of public demand, ultimately leading to the legalisation of cannabis in the UK and increased access to medicated cannabis.  It’s important to note that medicinal cannabis contains lower concentrations of THC and is free of harmful substances. 

However, strict regulations are still in place, limiting access to medical cannabis in the UK. Only specialist doctors are authorised to prescribe medical cannabis for patients with certain health conditions, and prescriptions are typically provided through private clinics.

Despite these constraints, the UK medical cannabis market is the second largest in Europe.

Summary 

In recent years, conversations around medical cannabis in the UK have shifted from fear of the plant as a dangerous drug, towards compassionate use for people who are critically ill.

Through legislation, the UK has been able to create its own exemptions for cannabis and medical use. This was mainly due to growing evidence of its potential benefits. Studies have shown that cannabis can help alleviate symptoms of certain medical conditions, such as reducing seizures in epilepsy patients.

But this doesn’t mean that everyone is on board. In 2022, a cohort of conservative police commissioners cited the ‘gateway drug’ argument to fight for cannabis to be reclassified as a Class A drug, calling it just as harmful as cocaine. This didn’t result in any changes to the law, and the good news is, medical cannabis is accessible to the people that need it. Laws and regulations surrounding medical cannabis in the UK are continually evolving, subsequently improving accessibility, making it easier for those who require cannabis based treatments.

The future of medical cannabis in the UK is still open for debate. It has the potential to help a lot of people - it’s whether or not this opportunity is given that can make all the difference. If you think medical cannabis may be a suitable treatment option for your condition, visit Alternaleaf to complete our free questionnaire and determine your eligibility.