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People around the world have been smoking marijuana for thousands of years while also using the hemp plant for everything from fabric and rope to ethanol fuel. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, a man with a bit of power and enough determination decided pot was wicked, evil and narcotic. He moved mountains to make it illegal worldwide. In the U.S., the struggle continues to this day to overcome the lies and misconceptions about marijuana that the government spent billions to spread. Between 1937 and 1947, the government spent $220 million on the war against drugs. Between 1948 and 1963, the cost of this “war” on marijuana alone escalated to $1.5 billion. From 1964 to 1969 the government spent $9 billion on the war against marijuana, a price tag that continues to rise. First Fabric Known to Man The hemp plant, also called cannabis or marijuana, has been used around the world for thousands of years. Sometime around 7000 – 8000 BCE, the first fabric is believed to have been woven from dried hemp weed. Cannabis Seeds Used as Food Around 6000 BCE hemp seeds were used as food in China. By 2727 BCE, the Chinese documented the use of cannabis as a medication to treat a variety of health problems. They later grew the plant on a large scale for food and fiber. Cannabis is Cultivated and Left as an Offering In 1500 BCE Scythians started to cultivate cannabis for weaving cloth. By 700 – 300 BCE the status of the plant had been elevated among Scythian tribes and cannabis seeds were left as offering in royal tombs. “Sacred Grass” Named One of Five Sacred Plants in India Cannabis is called “Sacred Grass” in the Hindu sacred text Arthava-Veda and named one of the five sacred plants of India. It was used as an offering to Shiva and also as a medication in India from 1200 – 800 BCE. (more at link) added by: Darevalo