Marijuana has been used as an agent for achieving euphoria since ancient times; it was described in a Chinese medical compendium traditionly considered to date from 2737 B.C.. Its juse spread from China to India and then to N. Africa and reached Europe at least as early as A.D. 500.
The first direct reference to a cannabis product as a pschoactive agent dates from 2737 in the writings of the Chinese emperor Shen Nung. The focus was on its powers as a medication for rheumatism, gout, malaria, and oddly enough absent-mindedness. Mention was made of its intoxicating properties, but the medical value was more important. In India though it was clearly used recreationlly . The Muslims too used it recreationally for alcohol consumption was banned at the Koran.
