It is said that marijuana, the Holy Herb, was found on King Solomon’s grave. However, the oldest known written record on marijuana use comes from the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung in 2727 B.C. Scrolls were also found in ancient Egypt depicting medicinal plants. The plant is believed to have evolved in China, as there are evidence that shows clothing and pottery made from hemp. From there it made it’s way to India and other parts of the world.

This plant is know by many different names: cannabis, weed, ganja, marijuana to name a few.

Ganja, as it is called in Jamaica, arrived on the island around 1845.  Despite the misconception ganja is not a Rastafarian word, but Sanskrit which is an Old Indo-Aryan language from India. The seeds were brought to the island by East Indian indentured servants, who came after slavery was abolished and the emancipation in 1838. The British brought over approximately 35,000 Indian laborers to Jamaica between 1845 and 1917. They of course brought their religious practices, Hinduism, which include the smoking of ganja in clay pots call ‘chillums.’ The name  Kali (ganja) also means bud in Hindi. Smoking of the herb became very popular among poor people. Which was not used for religious purpose.

In 1913 Jamaica passed the Ganja Law. This law was supported by the Council of Evangelical Churches in Jamaica and the plantation owners. The owners wanted the laborers to drink rum as it was profitable for them.

The Rastafarians movement stem from Marcus Garvey, one of Jamaica’s national hero, who was upset with the conditions black were living in, that he encouraged all black people to unite and return to Africa. He used lots of biblical quotes in his speech. Garvey told his followers to “look towards Africa for the crowing of a black king”. With the crowing of Emperor Haile Selassie I in 1930, who traced his lineage back to King Solomon and Queen Sheba, they believed he was the Messiah. Rastafarians use ganja to help enlighten their minds. Ganja is always smoked in a ritual way. Before smoking they will say a prayer to Jah (God) or to Haile Selassie I.

When most people think of ganja, they think of people smoking it. However, some say the drinking of the tea as a longer and more beneficial effect on the body.

Herbalist have always believed in the healing properties of ganja. In Jamaica, ganja tea is used to strengthen the body and make it less susceptible to health problems. It is used as a natural treatment for fever and cold.

In 1906 the United States started to restrict marijuana prescription as medicines. Today scientists have done much research which shows that this plant can help with symptoms of the following diseases:

1) controls epileptic seizures

2)treat Glaucoma

3)A chemical found in the plant can stops cancer from spreading

4)decrease anxiety

5)reduces some of the pain and nausea from chemo, and stimulates appetite

6)slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease

7)eases the pain of multiple sclerosis

8) soothes tremors for people with Parkinson’s disease.

The Jamaican laws on ganja have relaxed since 2015. You’re allowed to grow no more than five plants and can only use for friends and family in your home. This give the Rastafarians more freedom to practice their religion. In the United States marijuana is now legal in some states.

Ganja is still one of the most controversial plants in the world and we still have a lot more to learn about it’s medicinal values.

Source: globalforcereggae