Cannabis: A brief global historical biogeography

Chris Duvall

Chapter 6 in Research Handbook on Drugs and Society, 2026, pp 60-71 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter presents a global history of the botanical genus Cannabis. The story of human–Cannabis interactions has ancient origins in Asia. Originally used primarily as a fiber and a foodsource, over time its psychoactive and medicinal properties became more important. It gradually spread from Asia to parts of Africa and the Middle East, before arriving in Europe. Enslaved Africans introduced it to the Americas. In the nineteenth century, it became linked with European colonial exploitation in different parts of the world. The twentieth century saw it come under international control, a move that reshaped patterns of cultivation and distribution. In recent decades, indoor growing has reduced reliance on transnational trafficking to the Global North. Most recently, reversals of criminal prohibition have occurred across the Americas and elsewhere, suggesting that another new phase in this very long history may be beginning.

Keywords: Cannabis; Colonialism; Asia; Prohibition; History; Geography (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781802209136
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