Victorian Cannabis Use February 15, 2016
Author: Beach Combing | in : Modern , trackback
Cannabis became illegal in the United Kingdom once the 1925 Dangerous Drug Acts came into force in 1928. However, before that there was a long tradition of ‘hemp’ smoking in the country: mainly for medicinal reasons. Regrettably we know little about British hemp-smokers. Victorian interest in opium often reached almost hysterical levels: but interest in cannabis was typically restricted to the odd comment about ‘native’ delibitation or demoralisation, in the colonies. There was, however, an important partly hidden trade in cannabis, particularly cannabis indica, within the mother country.
In some cases cannabis was an active ingredient in medicines such as this corn cure from 1884. Doctors used it as a standard solution for tetanus: patients were encouraged to smoke cannabis continuously when tetanus kicked in, something that might at least have eased death from a terrible disease. There was also some interest in using cannabis in mental asylums to relieve ‘maniacal subjects’: presumably to calm patients down?
However, more typically cannabis cigarettes were sold, as in this ad from 1872. Today, someone who wants cannabis in the UK will have to either buy cannabis seeds from abroad and grow their own or visit a neighbourhood dealer (with all the risks attendant). Cannabis cigarettes were invariably given as a cure, for asthma. How effective were they? Well, Grimault, Britain’s main cannabis dealer in the later nineteenth century, also dealt in Iodized Syrup of Horse Radish for those with a ‘weak constitution’: in short Grimault’s medical expertise does not excite much faith. But cannabis has a long history of calming breathing, and is still used today by some asthma sufferers in the west (see the vast literature on medical cannabis); cannabis has been used, meanwhile, for millennia in the east as a health fillip. Many Britons seem to have learnt of its benefits in India.
Smoking was the preferred method for ‘taking’ your cannabis medicine. But cannabis extract was also bottled and spooned into those with tickly throats or unredeemed coughs as this advert from 1861 shows (see also the bottle at the top of the post).
This ad from 1858, meanwhile, follows the typical sales patter of the Victorian salesman: secret recipe, personal experience, do not be misled by imitators etc. But it is possible that Dr James’ daughter (if she ever actually existed) had a breathing condition that a local Indian doctor had cured using a traditional cannabis remedy.
There is also some evidence for cannabismania in the garden and in the fields, though of course the main interest here will have been here for the traditional British and Irish uses of hemp (rope, textiles etc). This marvelous sounding pamphlet (which has not apparently survived) dates to 1866.
Any other Victorian cannabis use: drbeachcombing AT yahoo DOT com Beach ran across a legend (?) that Queen Victoria used cannabis for menstrual cramps…
25 Feb 2016 Richard S writes in: Cannabis also has a long history of use in the UK in various folk magical practises. I recall reading many years ago that one charm involved walking clockwise around a church and planting cannabis in the churchyard. It would be interesting to know how many country vicars fell foul of the law following the banning of cannabis…
Bruce T: Years ago I ran across a reminisces of an English hippy. As his parents had gave him the boot for his lifestyle, he stayed with his grandmother when he was home between wanderings. His Grandmother loved having him and his friends around, as the odor they exuded after their many short trips outdoors for a smoke reminded her of her childhood in India. Specifically it reminded her of the “ganja-wallah” who’s wares were in high demand among the women of the Raj during their summer stays in Simla. The ganja-wallah was the person who had the answer for the cramps the women got from their monthly “visitor”. She talked about the tinkling of the bells on his cart and the little song he sang touting his various wares, the lyrics of which I can’t recall now. The old woman would tell them tales of the period, and when they asked if she’d ever used it, her answer was, “Goodness no, I’d returned to England by the time that period of my life.” However the lady would have his friends over on regular basis due to the smell. It’s one of my favorite hippy tales.
