Historical Research on Drug Policy

Ancient History

= Recommended Reading

• New! The Reefer Madness Collection - Hundreds of examples of hilarious Reefer Madness from history.
• New! - Medical Marijuana Throughout History - Pictures of more than 100 medicines that once contained cannabis extracts
• Marijuana and the Pygmies - Carl Sagan's idea about how marijuana may have triggered human civilization.
• Evidence Found of Ancient Marijuana Use: Albany (NY) Times Union, 20 May 1993 attributed to Newsday
• Early use of LSD-like drugs Chapter 45 of the Consumers Union Report on Licit and Illicit Drugs
• Marijuana in the Old World - Chapter 53 of the Consumers Union Report on Licit and Illicit Drugs
• Marijuana in the New World - Chapter 54 of the Consumers Union Report on Licit and Illicit Drugs
• The Assassins by Philip K. Hitti - A short discussion of the Hashishins, who have often been used as the historical example of the association between hashish (marijuana) and violence.
• The Tale of Two Hashish-Eaters (Traditional) From 1001 Arabian Nights
• The Tale of the Hashish Eater - From 1001 Arabian Nights
• Marijuana and the Bible by The Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church

• This pamphlet is more than just a religious tract. It includes a long series of historical, literary, and biblical references to marijuana and the beliefs of the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church.

• Mystery of the Cocaine Mummies -- transcript of the video.  Some of the mummies from ancient Egypt have tested positive for cocaine. The mystery is how it could have been possible.
• Toke Like an Egyptian - More commentary on the mystery of the cocaine mummies, from Fortean Times Magazine