The History of Hemp: How CBD Fits into Its Legacy for Canadians

Hemp has woven itself into the fabric of human civilization for millennia, serving as a versatile plant that has fed, clothed, and healed people across the globe. For Canadians, this legacy takes on special significance, as our country’s relationship with hemp reflects both ancient traditions and modern innovation. From the early days of European settlement to the 2018 Cannabis Act that legalized cannabis nationwide, hemp has played a pivotal role in Canada’s agricultural and wellness landscape. Today, in 2025, as Health Canada continues to refine regulations for non-prescription CBD products, the spotlight is on CBD (cannabidiol), a key compound derived from hemp that’s carrying forward this ancient plant’s healing potential.

As Canadians embrace natural wellness amid our diverse climates—from the harsh winters of the Prairies to the mild coasts of British Columbia—hemp’s history reminds us of its enduring value. Brands like Zen Leafs are at the forefront, offering high-quality CBD products that honor this legacy while providing modern benefits. This article explores hemp’s rich history, its evolution in Canada, and how CBD fits seamlessly into that story, highlighting the key benefits that make it relevant for today’s Canadian lifestyles.

The Ancient Origins of Hemp: From Food to Fiber

Hemp’s story begins over 10,000 years ago in ancient China, where it was one of the first plants cultivated by humans. Archaeological evidence from Japan dates hemp use back to 8000 BCE, where seeds were used for food. In China, Emperor Shen Nung documented hemp’s medicinal properties around 2800 BCE, recommending it for ailments like rheumatism and malaria in the world’s oldest pharmacopeia.

By 2727 BCE, Chinese texts praised hemp for its therapeutic uses, including as an anesthetic during surgery. In India, hemp featured in Ayurvedic medicine for its calming effects, while in ancient Egypt, it was used in mummification processes and as a remedy for eye soreness. The Scythians of Central Asia vaporized hemp seeds for ritualistic purposes around 500 BCE, as described by Greek historian Herodotus, showcasing its cultural and spiritual significance.

Hemp’s Journey to the New World and Early Canadian Roots

Hemp arrived in the Americas with European explorers. In 1606, French botanist Louis Hébert planted the first hemp crop in North America in Port Royal, Acadia (modern-day Nova Scotia), marking the beginning of hemp cultivation in Canada. By the 1600s, hemp was a key crop in the British colonies, including Jamestown, where it was mandated for farmers to grow it for ropes and sails.

In Canada, First Nations communities had long used wild hemp variants for food and fiber before European arrival, integrating it into their sustainable practices. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, hemp thrived in Canada. It was grown extensively in Ontario and Quebec for ship rigging during the Napoleonic Wars, and by the 1800s, Canada had seven hemp mills producing textiles and paper.

The Prohibition Era and Hemp’s Revival in Canada

The mid-20th century saw hemp’s decline due to misinformation and competition from synthetic fibers like nylon. In Canada, the 1938 ban was part of a broader crackdown on cannabis, driven by U.S. influence and racial prejudices against marijuana use. During World War II, both countries briefly encouraged hemp growth for “Hemp for Victory” campaigns to supply ropes and parachutes, but post-war, restrictions returned.

Canada’s revival began in the 1990s with pilot programs demonstrating hemp’s viability as a crop. By 1998, commercial cultivation was permitted, focusing on low-THC varieties for fiber, seeds, and oil. This paved the way for the 2018’s full legalization, boosting research and product development. In 2025, with Health Canada’s forward regulatory plan, hemp is positioned as a sustainable crop, contributing to eco-friendly textiles and biofuels while supporting rural economies.

How CBD Fits into Hemp’s Legacy

CBD is one of over 100 cannabinoids in hemp, but its non-psychoactive nature sets it apart, fitting perfectly into hemp’s historical role as a medicinal plant. Ancient Chinese texts from 2800 BCE mentioned hemp for pain and inflammation, precursors to CBD’s modern uses. In the 19th century, hemp tinctures were common in Western medicine for ailments like neuralgia, echoing CBD’s current applications.

The 2018 legalization separated industrial hemp from marijuana, allowing CBD extraction without THC concerns. This has revived hemp’s legacy as a healing plant, with CBD embodying its therapeutic potential. In Canada, where hemp farming has grown since 1998, CBD products honor this history while addressing contemporary needs like stress and pain.

Zen Leafs, a trusted brand, offers CBD products that connect this legacy to modern wellness, using high-quality hemp extracts for safe, effective support.

Key Benefits of CBD: Modern Applications of an Ancient Legacy

CBD carries forward hemp’s healing tradition with science-backed benefits relevant to Canadians today:

• Anxiety and Stress Relief: CBD reduces anxiety by influencing serotonin receptors, with studies showing up to 68% symptom reduction. Ideal for winter blues in the North.
• Pain Management: Its anti-inflammatory properties provide 42-66% pain relief, supporting joint health in aging populations.
• Improved Sleep: CBD enhances sleep quality, increasing deep sleep by 34%. Crucial for shift workers in Alberta.
• Mood Enhancement: Lowers cortisol by 20-30%, stabilizing mood without sedation.
• Neuroprotection: Offers cognitive benefits, protecting against age-related decline.

These benefits, from Zen Leafs products, show how CBD modernizes hemp’s legacy.

Hemp and CBD in Contemporary Canada

Canada’s hemp industry thrives, with over 100,000 acres cultivated in 2025, mainly in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The 2018 Act boosted CBD research, with studies from the University of Guelph exploring its medicinal uses. Hemp supports sustainable agriculture, aligning with Canada’s environmental goals.

CBD fits this by providing wellness benefits from a crop that’s eco-friendly and economically viable. Zen Leafs embodies this, offering CBD that honors hemp’s past while meeting modern needs.

The Legacy Continues: Hemp and CBD’s Future in Canada

As 2025 unfolds, hemp’s legacy evolves with CBD at the helm. Health Canada’s regulatory updates promise broader access, fostering innovation in wellness products. For Canadians, this means embracing a plant that’s sustained us for centuries, now in forms like CBD for better health.

From ancient fibers to modern tinctures, hemp’s story is one of adaptation. CBD ensures this legacy endures, benefiting generations to come.

Shop online today at Zen Leafs for Canada’s best CBD gummies.