SWISS MEDICAL CANNABIS LABORATORIES

  The geographical origin of cannabis is uncertain, given its worldwide distribution. Nevertheless, the earliest archaeological evidence of its use by man has been found in China. In one of the hearths of the Neolithic agricultural revolution at Xianrendong, dated to 8000 BC, it is one of the oldest plants adopted by our civilization. SWISS MEDICAL CANNABIS LABORATORIES In the same region, we found a notebook containing three hundred and sixty-five medicinal plants. Cannabis was one of them. Later described in the "Shen Nung Ben Cao jing" (treatise on medicinal plants by the Shen Nung imprint, circa 2700 B.C.) as a plant with analgesic, anti-emetic, laxative and other properties... Closer to home, in 450 B.C. The Greek historian Herodotus describes a collective fumigation session that provoked hilarity among participants. Since ancient times, Germanic peoples have also cultivated hemp, at least for its fibers - used to make clothes and ropes for boats.

Contemporary times

In the 19th century, cannabis was used in the West for its medicinal properties (see medicinal plants), in tincture form (alcoholic extract). It was used to treat Queen Victoria's menstrual pains, and was even sold commercially in the United States. In both old Europe and the United States, this tincture was one of the most popular medicines sold in pharmacies. At the end of the 19th century, however, its success began to wane, following the emergence and success of other drugs such as aspirin. Poster distributed by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in the late 1930s and 1940s, when the product was demonized (cannabis is a powerful narcotic that leads to murder, debauchery and death). Hemp arrived in the Americas with colonization. George Washington, the first president of the United States of America, grew it on his plantation, as his diary testifies. In 1794, he encouraged his fellow citizens to grow hemp in a speech: "Make the most you can of hemp seed and sow it everywhere". The Mexicans also cultivated it, and began exporting the flowering tops to Texas as early as 1910. In fact, the Mexicans are responsible for the use of the word marijuana, which originally referred to a poor-quality cigarette.  

Awareness-raising policy

During the 1920s and 1930s, cannabis invaded the black market, becoming very popular. Faced with this growing success, the authorities set up so-called awareness campaigns. Slogans such as "Marijuana is Devil" with a flaming devil in the background. The New Orleans narcotics police blamed consumers for 60% of the city's crimes. Newspapers spread the idea that violence and cannabis are linked across the country. In 1937, a law prohibiting possession and use was enacted. The increase in marijuana production and trafficking in the rest of the world gave cause for concern. Many governments began to worry. In 1925, most of the world's countries adopted the Geneva International Convention. They pledged to fight marijuana.