As the debate continues over the legalization of marijuana in the United States, marijuana remains a relevant topic of modern interest to us. This correlation is by no means a new phenomenon. As the insightful documentary Cannabis: A Lost History demonstrates, the plant has played a key role in many aspects of society for thousands of years.
The story dates back to 50 BC. step back. Ancient Chinese texts from this period proclaim the plant’s medicinal value in the treatment of gout, rheumatism, infection, inflammation, and more than a hundred other ailments. Cannabis also proved to be essential to the manufacture of Chinese clothing, as well as their eating habits and funeral customs.
The East has also adopted this versatile plant. The religious texts of ancient India and Iran are rife with references to cannabis; in some cases, it was their primary sacrament. This is also an important factor in the birth of Buddhism.
The film goes on to explore the use of cannabis in Egyptian and Greek culture, its mysterious presence in the pages of the Bible, and the complex relationship it experienced in the United States
Over the years, the medicinal use of this plant has been widely accepted in Western culture. This changed with the founding of the American Medical Association. The guidelines they created largely ridiculed the herb’s long-term effectiveness and inspired a movement aimed at changing mainstream perceptions of marijuana. The effort was spearheaded by publishing mogul William Randolph Hearst, who unleashed a steady stream of scare-inducing propaganda. Cannabis, as it is now called, is no longer seen as a source of benefit to people, but as a source of threat.
In its depiction of the current situation, the film highlights the many societal issues surrounding our ongoing relationship with cannabis, including mass incarceration, racial divisions and a well-funded anti-drug campaign.
In its 65-minute run, the film encapsulates a wide range of history while moving from the sun god of ancient religious rituals to the hysteria induced by the exploitation film Reefer Madness. Cannabis: The Lost History demonstrates enormous knowledge and reverence for its subject matter with its remarkably detailed narrative and suitably relaxed tone.
Director: Chris Rice
