It was back in 2700 BCE when Chinese Emperor Shen Nung (ChenNung) is said to have discovered the healing properties of cannabis as well as ginseng. Nung marveled at the plant’s powers as a medication for rheumatism, menstrual problems, gout, malaria, and hundreds of others. Nung is considered the “Father of Chinese Medicines and the patron of all herbalists and apothecaries as well as the author of The Great Herbal- a medical book which is still in use today.
The earliest archaeological record of the use of cannabis is from China some 12,000 years ago. Archaeologists unearthed a Neolithic site at Yuan-Shan and among the remains dug up included pottery with hemp cord markings on it along with a rod-shaped stone beater used to pound hemp. It’s unclear if cannabis was used in other ways during this period but it is highly likely.