Marijuana history. Your history is still in the making. Commit to never drive high.
Traffic Safety Pulse News
Have you ever wondered when marijuana was first used in a “recreational” way? How about who discovered Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)? Here are a few fast facts about the history of cannabis, marijuana, hemp or pot — whatever you choose to call it. But remember, the most important fact to know is that cannabis can cause impairment, which is dangerous when you get behind the wheel.
- While differing opinions abound, the most popular is that cannabis was first used as an herbal medicine in Asia starting around 500 B.C.
- Sir William Brooke O’Shoughnessy, an Irish doctor, found that cannabis extracts could help lessen stomach pain and vomiting in people suffering from cholera in the 1830s.
- THC, the active and impairing compound in cannabis, was discovered in 1964 by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam.
- California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996.
- Colorado was the first state to legalize cannabis for recreational use in 2012.
Your history is also still in the making. Any level of active Delta-9 THC in your system can put you at risk of a DUI. An analysis of 60 studies concluded that marijuana causes impairment in every performance area that can reasonably be connected with safe driving of a vehicle, such as tracking, motor coordination, visual functions, and particularly complex tasks that require multi-tasking.
Commit today to never drive impaired and continue your story, safely. More is still to come. Plan a ride, every time.
Visit DriveHighDUI.com for more news and resources on marijuana-impaired driving. For printed versions of this graphic to use for educational purposes, please contact Sam Cole at [email protected].
A portion of this content in this article adapted from The History Channel.
