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Marijuana has been used throughout history in many different cultures to change mood, perception, and consciousness - in other
words, to get high. Its effects range from increasing creativity to provoking mystical experiences, to heightening the capacity
to feel, sense and share. After alcohol, it is the most popular of what are called "recreational drugs." It has
been used around the world for other purposes. In some primitive tribes of South America, Africa, and India, "cannabis"
is used in religious ceremonies and for medical purposes. African mine workers have used it to ease the drudgery of their
work and many Jamaicans use it at the end of the day to relieve fatigue. It has been used as an intoxicant in various parts
of the world for centuries and in the United States mostly in the 20th century. Marijuana was first described in print in
a Chinese book of medicine, "Herbal," in the 2nd century B.C., and was used in China as an anesthetic 5,000 years
ago. The ancient Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, and East Indians used the drug to control muscle spasms, reduce pain,
and to treat indigestion. It was commonly used in folk medicines in Africa and Asia. The Assyrians began using it as an incense
in the 9th century. As early as 1611, marijuana was cultivated for its fiber in Jamestown, Virginia. In 19th century America,
it was used by the medical profession for treating spastic conditions, headaches, labor pains, insomnia, and menstrual cramps.
It is still used as a medicine in the Middle East and in Asia.
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