This is a dated story but one I just came across about the world’s oldest marijuana stash, discovered in a 2,700-year-old grave in the Gobi Desert.
Scientists originally thought the plant material in the grave was coriander, but analysis of the contents, along with genetic testing, revealed that it was cannabis.
According to researchers, test proved conclusively that the marijuana contained “potent psychoactive properties,” although the THC would have no effect because of decomposition.
Ethan Russo wrote the paper that was published in the Journal of Experimental Botany detailing the results of his study.
Russo said the seeds found in the marijuana came from a cultivated strain. Before the person was placed in the grave, someone carefully removed the male parts of the plant.
Questions remain though how the marijuana was used, since no pipes or anything that would be considered modern day paraphernalia were found in the grave.
“Perhaps it was ingested orally,” Russo said. “It might also have been fumigated, as the Scythian tribes to the north did subsequently.”
The 2,700-year-old weed can be seen at the Turpan Museum in China.
