Five Historical Figures that Smoked Pot
1
Place in History
William Shakespeare was a 16th century English playwright who is widely considered to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, dramatists of all time. His plays, which include such classics such Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, and Hamlet, are still performed, adapted, and swooned over today.
Place in Marijuana History
Researchers found traces of cannabis on clay pipes uncovered in the garden of Shakespeare's home in Stratford-upon-Avon. The pipes dated from the 17th century (Shakespeare died in 1616), so they are contemporary with Shakespeare. And Shakespeare wrote about a "noted weed" in one of his sonnets. I think we can all guess what he was talking about...
Why It's Awesome
Remember those plays I mentioned earlier? Those aren't the only ones: Shakespeare also penned A Midsummer Night's Dream, Othello, and Macbeth. If smoking a bit of grass helped Shakespeare create masterpieces, then stoners everywhere have another reason to assure their parents that they are not, in fact, wasting their lives. I, for one, would love to see a sonnet composed by a contemporary pothead. Shall I compare thee to a Doritos Locos? Thou art more flavorful and delicious.
William Shakespeare was a 16th century English playwright who is widely considered to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, dramatists of all time. His plays, which include such classics such Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, and Hamlet, are still performed, adapted, and swooned over today.
Place in Marijuana History
Researchers found traces of cannabis on clay pipes uncovered in the garden of Shakespeare's home in Stratford-upon-Avon. The pipes dated from the 17th century (Shakespeare died in 1616), so they are contemporary with Shakespeare. And Shakespeare wrote about a "noted weed" in one of his sonnets. I think we can all guess what he was talking about...
Why It's Awesome
Remember those plays I mentioned earlier? Those aren't the only ones: Shakespeare also penned A Midsummer Night's Dream, Othello, and Macbeth. If smoking a bit of grass helped Shakespeare create masterpieces, then stoners everywhere have another reason to assure their parents that they are not, in fact, wasting their lives. I, for one, would love to see a sonnet composed by a contemporary pothead. Shall I compare thee to a Doritos Locos? Thou art more flavorful and delicious.
2
Place in History
Queen Victoria ruled the British Empire from 1837 until 1901. She is Britain's longest-ruling monarch and helped guide the country through the changes that came with industrialization and modernization.
Place in Marijuana History
Queen Victoria was an extremely powerful woman, but she was still a woman. Which means that once a month she had PMS, with its annoying aches and pains. Unlike most women, Queen Victoria had a bevy of physicians at her beck and call, all of whom wanted to make their queen comfortable. Which is why her private physician, Sir Russell Reynolds, prescribed marijuana for her menstrual cramps in 1823. Reynolds noted that marijuana was "one of the of the most valuable medicines we possess." Though Queen Victoria probably did not light up, instead drinking a preparation with cannabis, she still took comfort from the drug.
Why It's Awesome
Ever hear of the Victorian era? This is the woman who embodied that repressed time period, during which it was considered scandalous to even say the word "leg" in mixed company. So it is awesome to think that the woman who led a nation in wearing corsets and eschewing all mention of bodily functions was secretly doping in order to cope with her PMS.
Queen Victoria ruled the British Empire from 1837 until 1901. She is Britain's longest-ruling monarch and helped guide the country through the changes that came with industrialization and modernization.
Place in Marijuana History
Queen Victoria was an extremely powerful woman, but she was still a woman. Which means that once a month she had PMS, with its annoying aches and pains. Unlike most women, Queen Victoria had a bevy of physicians at her beck and call, all of whom wanted to make their queen comfortable. Which is why her private physician, Sir Russell Reynolds, prescribed marijuana for her menstrual cramps in 1823. Reynolds noted that marijuana was "one of the of the most valuable medicines we possess." Though Queen Victoria probably did not light up, instead drinking a preparation with cannabis, she still took comfort from the drug.
Why It's Awesome
Ever hear of the Victorian era? This is the woman who embodied that repressed time period, during which it was considered scandalous to even say the word "leg" in mixed company. So it is awesome to think that the woman who led a nation in wearing corsets and eschewing all mention of bodily functions was secretly doping in order to cope with her PMS.
3
Joan of Arc
Place in History
In 15th century France, during the 100 Years War, Joan of Arc led French armies to several victories over the British. Joan credited divine guidance as the reason for her success. Joan was eventually captured and handed over to the British, who burned her at the stake in 1431, when she was 19 years old.
Place in Marijuana History
In 1430-1431, Joan was accused of using "witch drugs," including cannabis. Which means that the source of those guiding voices Joan heard was probably marijuana.
Why It's Awesome
Joan of Arc was an uneducated peasant--not exactly the type of leader you'd expect to find at the head of an army, at least not a successful one. But with some cannabis-flavored inspiration, Joan was able to fight well and kick some English butt. We should all be so lucky to have "herbal" helpers like hers.
In 15th century France, during the 100 Years War, Joan of Arc led French armies to several victories over the British. Joan credited divine guidance as the reason for her success. Joan was eventually captured and handed over to the British, who burned her at the stake in 1431, when she was 19 years old.
Place in Marijuana History
In 1430-1431, Joan was accused of using "witch drugs," including cannabis. Which means that the source of those guiding voices Joan heard was probably marijuana.
Why It's Awesome
Joan of Arc was an uneducated peasant--not exactly the type of leader you'd expect to find at the head of an army, at least not a successful one. But with some cannabis-flavored inspiration, Joan was able to fight well and kick some English butt. We should all be so lucky to have "herbal" helpers like hers.
4
Egyptian Pharaohs
Place in History
Before there was a United States of America, a British Empire, or even a Roman one, there was Egypt and its pharaohs. The pharaohs presided over a great civilization on the banks of the Nile River. Dynasties in Ancient Egyptian first gained power in 3150 BC and lasted, in varying lines and kingdoms, until 30 BC.
Place in Marijuana History
During their long reign, dynasties of Ancient Egypt started to use cannabis. Cannabis pollen was found on the mummy of one pharaoh, Ramesses II. Details on medical papyrii describe a multitude of medical uses for marijuana, including treatment for hemorrhoids and sore eyes.
Why It's Awesome
These guys built the pyramids! Today most people still doesn't fully understand how Ancient Egypt was even able to build the pyramids, but they did it. So if Egyptian Pharaohs felt that using marijuana was a good idea, way back in 2000 BC, maybe we should listen to them instead of Congress--which, by my count, has not built a single f**king pyramid.
Before there was a United States of America, a British Empire, or even a Roman one, there was Egypt and its pharaohs. The pharaohs presided over a great civilization on the banks of the Nile River. Dynasties in Ancient Egyptian first gained power in 3150 BC and lasted, in varying lines and kingdoms, until 30 BC.
Place in Marijuana History
During their long reign, dynasties of Ancient Egypt started to use cannabis. Cannabis pollen was found on the mummy of one pharaoh, Ramesses II. Details on medical papyrii describe a multitude of medical uses for marijuana, including treatment for hemorrhoids and sore eyes.
Why It's Awesome
These guys built the pyramids! Today most people still doesn't fully understand how Ancient Egypt was even able to build the pyramids, but they did it. So if Egyptian Pharaohs felt that using marijuana was a good idea, way back in 2000 BC, maybe we should listen to them instead of Congress--which, by my count, has not built a single f**king pyramid.
5
Place in History
George Washington was a general who led the thirteen American colonies in their fight for independence from Britain. After successfully helping America become an independent country, Washington was chosen to be the first president of the United States of America.
Place in Marijuana History
In addition to his war and presidential duties, George Washington was a tobacco farmer. Washington also cultivated hemp on his Mount Vernon farm--it was his primary crop in 1797. Washington was even interested in the medicinal properties of cannabis, making diary entries that showed he was growing varietals with a high THC content.
Why It's Awesome
George Washington is one of America's Founding Fathers. We all know he had wooden teeth, chopped down a cherry tree, and couldn't tell a lie. Why don't history textbooks include his hemp cultivation and interest in medical marijuana as well? If nothing else, it would be a great way to make kids excited to learn more about early U.S. history. Isn't helping kids get a well-rounded education the most important thing?
George Washington was a general who led the thirteen American colonies in their fight for independence from Britain. After successfully helping America become an independent country, Washington was chosen to be the first president of the United States of America.
Place in Marijuana History
In addition to his war and presidential duties, George Washington was a tobacco farmer. Washington also cultivated hemp on his Mount Vernon farm--it was his primary crop in 1797. Washington was even interested in the medicinal properties of cannabis, making diary entries that showed he was growing varietals with a high THC content.
Why It's Awesome
George Washington is one of America's Founding Fathers. We all know he had wooden teeth, chopped down a cherry tree, and couldn't tell a lie. Why don't history textbooks include his hemp cultivation and interest in medical marijuana as well? If nothing else, it would be a great way to make kids excited to learn more about early U.S. history. Isn't helping kids get a well-rounded education the most important thing?
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