"Má"

Cannabis, called má 麻 (meaning “hemp; cannabis; numbness”) or dàmá 大麻 (with the compound Wikt:大, meaning #1excludeGlossary) in Chinese, was used in Taiwan for fiber starting about 10,000 years ago.[1] The botanist #2excludeGlossary Li wrote that in China, “The use of Cannabis in medicine was probably a very early development. Since ancient humans used hemp seed as food, it was quite natural for them to also discover the medicinal properties of the plant.”[2] The oldest Chinese pharmacopeia, the (c. 100 AD) Shennong Bencaojing 神農本草經 (“Shennong’s Materia Medica Classic”), describes cannabis.

Originating from ancient Chinese civilization, the term “má” has a rich etymological history. Initially, it denoted the hemp plant, a staple in Chinese agriculture for its durable fibers. The character is a composite of symbols representing the plant’s structure and its fibrous quality. Over time, “má” expanded its meaning to include cannabis, reflecting the plant’s dual use for both industrial and medicinal purposes. In traditional Chinese medicine, “má” was utilized for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, a testament to its enduring legacy. In contemporary times, “má” is often associated with cannabis, highlighting its pivotal role in the burgeoning cannabis industry. As the perception and legality of cannabis shift globally, the historical context of “má” offers a deeper understanding of its cultural and economic impact.

The history of medicinal cannabis goes back to the ancient times. Ancient physicians in many parts of the world mixed cannabis into medicines to treat pain and other ailments. In the 19th century, cannabis was introduced for therapeutic use in Western Medicine. Since then, there have been several advancements in how the drug is administered. Initially, cannabis was reduced to a powder and mixed with wine for administration. In the 1970s, synthetic THC was created to be administered as the drug Marinol in a capsule. However, the main mode of administration for cannabis is smoking because its effects are almost immediate when the smoke is inhaled. Between 1996 and 1999, eight U.S. states supported cannabis prescriptions opposing policies of the federal government. Most people who are prescribed marijuana for medical purposes use it to alleviate severe pain.

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