The History of Cannabis Began in China

The ancient history of the cannabis plant begins in Taiwan and China, and is both fascinating and shrouded in a bit of myth and mystery.

- Patrick Ian Moore

Historians and researchers aren’t entirely positive about some of the dates or how historical events exactly were recorded in ancient China, and a number of similarly named mythological and legendary figures are credited in stories as having invented or created some of the same early technological innovations, as well as sharing some similar heroic feats they accomplished in China’s oldest folklore tales. There are some differences of opinion amongst archeologists and anthropologists, but generally they agree on the basic timeline and earliest records, and the fossil record is hard evidence that helps to fully illustrate the rich history of cannabis in ancient Chinese culture. Hemp cord in pottery was discovered at an ancient village site dating back to 8000 BC, located in the area of what is now modern day Taiwan. 2000 years later in 6000 BC, there is evidence that cannabis seeds and oil were being consumed as a food source in China, and 2000 years after that, in 4000 BC, hemp was being used to create high quality Chinese textiles.