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Cannabis : A journey from India The Rise of Cannabis Culture in San Francisco When I moved to San Francisco eight years ago, I was intrigued by a rapidly growing trend—cannabis was becoming a mainstream commodity. Online sales and legalization were transforming marijuana into an emerging sensation. As cannabis consumption gained popularity, I became curious about its origins and cultural evolution. My research led me to a surprising discovery: cannabis has deep historical and spiritual roots in India. Cannabis in Ancient India Cannabis has been a part of Indian culture for centuries, often linked to religious and spiritual practices. The earliest references appear in the Vedas , sacred texts dating back to 1500–500 BCE . In the Vedas, cannabis is referred to as "bhang" , described as one of the five sacred plants alongside soma (a mysterious ritual plant), barley, darbha grass, and mudga (a type of bean). Bhang was revered for its psychoactive properties, believed to bring i...