Exploring the Mythos of Marijuana

marijuana mythos

Can you imagine a time – roughly 12,000 years ago? People were scattered about the earth, remnants of their ancestors hidden in the dense forests. We were heavily dependent on our environment. We hunt for food, we foraged and herbs were our doctors.

One of our most sacred of herbs – our reliable helper, our gift from mother – cannabis has been with us for thousands of years. Somewhere down our genetic ancestry, one of our kind felt compelled to eat of the leaf. The cannabinoids within the plant interacted with our own endocannabinoid system – activating certain responses we have never felt before.

This perhaps – was one of the first interactions humanity had with cannabis. Who knows? History only says that marijuana has roughly been with us for about 12,000 years.

Yet it must be that cannabis has been with us for longer than that. Our endocannabinoid system evolved alongside the plant – we were always meant to meet each other, to interact on a genetic level.

We understood that cannabis could unlock within us different states and responses. We could heal ourselves not only physically but also emotionally. It also allowed us to reach higher spiritual states – snippets of a Holotropic Mind.

And so – according to research, some of us began cultivating it. In fact- some even believe that cannabis pushed us into the age of agriculture and in turn, rebooted civilization.

Reboot Civilization?

I personally subscribe to the idea that 12,800 years ago we were struck by a giant comet and the likeliness of advanced civilization existing before this. I believe that we were already hardwired for civilization, yet after the impact of the comet – we were able to reorganize ourselves and start again.

Interestingly – cannabis was the first crop we chose to implement. We knew it was food, medicine, recreation and spiritual exploration in one. It made sense to focus on the most productive crop to restart civilization.

Conversely – we accidentally discovered cannabis and said, “Fuck it, let’s grow this shit!” Either way, when we started cultivating cannabis – we started farming. When we created surplus we created the opportunity for trade. From here on out – early civilizations started forming.

The Meaning of Marijuana

Cannabis is far more than just a plant. There’s a rich and deep culture associate with its use stemming back to the dawn of modern civilization. We cannot simply discard the plant as merely a “plant” – but we must recognize the myth and the rituals associated with its use.

I am a firm believer that cannabis as a concept has always influenced society, just as it helped form it. Prior to prohibition – cannabis was as common as common can be. Hemp was in clothing, food, medicine, rope, paint, paper, construction – you name it, cannabis was there in one way or another.

Cannabis was gleefully in the service of humanity up until the 1900s when certain aspects of it became a nuisance.

Then – the mythos of marijuana changed from “an everyday item” to “something more”.

The Fictional Horrors of a stationary plant

Cannabis may have held high spiritual regard in the early days of humanity – but by the time the 1900s rolled by, the Church had instilled it’s “purity protocols” and created the idea of “morality according to God”.

Of course – “God” was merely the representation of the Church’s best interests, but for the general population – it was GOD!

It was this train of thinking that prohibitionists used to poison the mass-perception of cannabis; and suddenly a plant we have been using for thousands of years – became the devil.

The myth shapeshifted and suddenly being associated with it was akin to being a harlot, deadbeat, loser aimed at sinful destruction of society. Not to mention, probably a minority.

This is because even though the “horrors of cannabis” may have been fictional – the policies and laws made as a result were very real. It was the perfect legal loophole for justified slavery.

Have you ever wondered why minorities are targeted at a higher rate? Because under the 13th-Amendment which “abolished slavery” states;

"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." – US CONSTITUTION

Thus – if you can make crime out of a non-crime, you have a justifiable reason to enslave anyone who “breaks the law”.

The myth of marijuana now became a tool in the hands of oppressors. Except – cannabis and humanity has been dancing together for tens of thousands of years. A horror story can’t keep us apart!

True lovers never quit!

Despite the atrocities of a few greedy people – cannabis and humanity never gave up. Today, we’re entering into a new chapter of the cannabis mythos. Our myth of marijuana starts from the very beginning, from our social roots.

It has been with us through countless plagues and wars. It has seen all of our greatest accomplishments and failures and will continue to walk with us until we are no more.

Cannabis is far more than just a plant. It lives within the collective imagination of all generations, alive and dead. It has warped and worn many masks – but it has always walked hand in hand with our species.

Weed means something to everyone. For some, it’s their peace of mind, for others the health to their bones. What it means to you – is simply a part of the greater myth of marijuana. Because – each and every one of us play a part in this narrative, your story is our story. The good, the bad, and the beautiful all form part of the Myth of Marijuana. And what a story it is!