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That's a good point, and I think it is because it wasn't as powerful as other drugs. Cannabis today is far stronger than even 20 years ago if you go by old hippie lore.

We do know people ate magic mushrooms and used psychedelics all the time, and that alcohol and tobacco were used widely as soon as discovered.

Maybe that's a truly modern thing. The 420 art.

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In SE Asia in the 70's and early 80's, I remember folks using weed as part of a larger medicinal-plant system, more than a thing by itself. My Mom used to get an oily balm to rub on her joints for arthritis pain that had it as one of many ingredients. I don't remember a lot of smoking or using it specifically to get high, though. FWIW.

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