Higher learning: legalization this July

By Matthew Rivard
Source: dawsoncreekmirror.ca





As the country marches towards legalization this July, we have many misconceptions and presumptions about the benefits and dangers of a substance that has little legal exposure in society.

The first recorded use of marijuana as a medicinal drug occurred in 2737 BC by the Chinese emperor Shen Nung. He documented the drug’s effectiveness in treating the pains of rheumatism and gout. 

Emperor Shen Nung

The ancient Chinese used virtually every part of the Cannabis plant: the root for medicine; the stem for textiles, rope and paper making; the leaves and flowers for intoxication and medicine; and the seeds for food and oil. Cannabis seeds were also one of the grains of early China and ancient tombs of China had sacrificial vessels filled with hemp for the afterlife. Unfortunately you can’t take it with you when you leave this world.

In 1997, a hemp rope dating back to 26,900 BC was found in Czechoslovakia, making it the oldest known object to be associated with cannabis. Since that time, hemp has played an important role in humanity’s development. For thousands of years marijuana was not only legal, but an important crop among cultures throughout history, and held commercial, medicinal, and spiritual value. All medicines have side effects, the issue is whether their benefits, for particular patients, outweigh these side effects.

“With Compass Cannabis Clinic opening soon in Dawson Creek, our community will have the benefit of education on the uses and proper dosing of this substance. Information that combats ignorance will hopefully help all of us avoid the potential dangers associated with improper cannabis use.”