It was a long time coming but tow states have finally legalized marijuana. Now, the citizens of Denver can find the finest bubble hash (or their strain of choice) in dispensaries throughout the city. This may seem new, but marijuana has a long history.

For all the controversy surrounding the legalization of marijuana, one thing is certain: for most of recorded history, marijuana was used primarily for medical purposes. The first known marijuana users were the ancient Chinese. Emperor Fu Hsi, considered the founder of civilization in China, said that marijuana contained both yin and yang. The Chinese continued using medicinal marijuana for centuries though no one knows whether or dispensaries existed in ancient China. From there, it spread to India, where it was used as a cure for leprosy. Then there are the claims that Jesus' anointing oil was made with cannabis.

It would take another 2000 years before Jamestown settlers shipped marijuana to the Americas. Famously, George Washington planted hemp and according to records, he took particular interest in marijuana's medicinal uses.

It wasn't until the 20th century that the drug became known for recreational use. Controversy soon followed and politicians acted with force. The decades long war on drugs began. It wasn't until the following decades that states slowly allowed medicinal marijuana. These days, medical dispensaries can be found all over California. Also, these days there are non-medical marijuana dispensaries throughout Denver.

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