GUEST A-hole, marijuana has been used for millenium for medicinal, religious and 'industrial' (ie. making clothes and rope etc.) purposes. Use of the plant in Africa, Euro-Asia, the Middle East and the Far East is quite well documents by archeologists, according to the
National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse.

There's information about the sacred use of the plant by worshippers of the 'Great Goddess' (the Hindu Kali-Ma, the Sumerian/Assyrian/Semitic Asherah or Astarte etc.)at
this site.

For a description of it's ritual use in the Ceremony of the Dead by the nomadic Scythians of Eastern Europe and Russia, as well as for clothing etc. click here.

Although you may find the last two links suspect because they are obviously from the pro-legalization camp rather than 'Big Brother', I have encountered this information before at a few other sources, including the Encyclopedia Brittanica (which is quoted in the articles).

Enjoy!    daylia