HEMP IN HISTORY
MEDICAL CANNABIS USE IN
THE ROMAN EMPIRE?
P
edanius Dioscorides was a Greek botanist,
physician and author that served in the Roman
army. Between 50 AD and 70 AD, he wrote a
five volume pharmacopoeia called “De Materia
Medica”.
This work is arguably the best source of information about
the medicines of both ancient Greece and Rome. Detailing
approximately 600 plants and over 900 remedies, this text, of
course, refers to cannabis.
Galen, the most famous Roman physician and surgeon, also
a Greek, was another prolific writer of medical texts. He saw
himself as a physician and a philosopher, which is probably why
he wrote: “The Best Physician Is Also A Philosopher”.
Galen began his medical studies aged 16 in 145 AD and made
medicine his life until his death around aged 70. He was notable
for describing how the flowers of hemp were often shared
around at social gatherings to help induce enjoyment and
laughter.
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The famous poet Ovid also had something to say about cannabis.
In one of his poems, he told the story of Glaucus, a man who ate
green herbs that came from a plant with palm-shaped leaves.
The herbs induced joy, euphoria, and the munchies.
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