CBD and Marijuana Culture: History, Trends and Today

Talking about CBD and marijuana culture means exploring a plant that has been used to make textiles and maritime equipment, played a part in religious traditions, inspired cultural movements and sparked important legal debates.

Few plants have such a diverse social history as cannabis. Its public image has changed significantly over time: from an agricultural and industrial raw material to a symbol of countercultural movements and, more recently, a central feature of an industry specialising in hemp-derived products.

In this article, we explore the history of cannabis culture, from traditional hemp uses to 20th-century legal restrictions, Spain's cannabis movement and the emergence of new CBD-related trends.

At IberoHemp, we have witnessed this evolution through our work in the hemp industry. Our catalogue includes different flower varieties and CBD hash intended for collecting and aromatic purposes.

Interest in these products is no longer limited to their names or varieties. Aspects such as cultivation methods, production techniques, traceability and laboratory testing are becoming increasingly important.

This development is also part of cannabis culture.

From fibre to symbol: thousands of years of history

Hemp is one of the crops used since ancient times. Historical and archaeological evidence shows that it was used in different parts of Asia to produce textiles, ropes and other materials.

In China, hemp was used thousands of years ago to obtain fibre and seeds, and it also played a role in the development of materials for papermaking.

In India, cannabis acquired cultural and religious significance, with references to the plant appearing in different historical traditions and practices.

Over the centuries, hemp cultivation spread towards the Middle East and Europe, where its agricultural and industrial applications were particularly important.

The importance of hemp in Spanish history

On the Iberian Peninsula, hemp was a strategic raw material for navigation and the textile industry for centuries.

Its fibre was used to manufacture ropes, sails and ship rigging because of the material's mechanical properties.

Maritime activities required large quantities of these products, so successive authorities encouraged hemp cultivation to supply the shipping industry.

One region especially associated with this tradition was the Vega Baja del Segura area of Alicante.

Towns such as Callosa de Segura developed a significant industry based on hemp cultivation, fibre processing and rope manufacturing.

For generations, these activities formed part of the region's economy and cultural identity.

Historically, the names and classifications used for cannabis plants did not always correspond to today's categories.

Today, terms such as hemp and marijuana are commonly used to distinguish varieties or plant materials according to their properties, composition and intended purposes.

However, both terms can refer to plants of the Cannabis genus, so the distinction should not be understood as an absolute botanical separation.

The modern difference is associated with cannabinoid composition, commercial applications and regulatory frameworks.

Cannabis prohibition and the birth of a counterculture

During the early decades of the 20th century, various countries began introducing restrictions on cannabis.

These measures resulted from a combination of political, social and regulatory factors, along with international discussions about controlled substances.

One major development was the adoption of the 1961 United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which established an international framework for controlling certain substances, including cannabis.

In Spain, Law 17/1967 of 8 April adapted national legislation to international commitments concerning narcotic drugs.

The legislation also distinguished certain industrial uses of the plant, a distinction that remains important for understanding hemp regulation.

Cannabis as a countercultural symbol

During the 1960s, cannabis became prominent in certain youth and countercultural movements.

The hippie movement, protests against the Vietnam War and some musical trends incorporated the plant into their cultural imagery.

For some groups, it came to represent rebellion, opposition to established social norms and the search for new forms of expression.

At the same time, cannabis held religious significance within Jamaica's Rastafarian movement.

The international spread of reggae, through artists such as Bob Marley, helped introduce aspects of that tradition to audiences worldwide.

However, Rastafarianism is a religious and cultural movement with its own identity and should not be reduced to its relationship with a plant or a music genre.

The origins of cannabis symbols

Many symbols associated with cannabis culture today became popular during the second half of the 20th century.

They include the cannabis leaf, used as a graphic representation of the plant, and the green, yellow and red colours associated in certain contexts with reggae and Rastafarian tradition.

Another widely recognised symbol is the number 420.

Its best-known origin story dates to California in the 1970s, when a group of students began using the number as a code within their circle.

Over time, the expression spread beyond its original context and became an international reference within cannabis culture.

Today, 20 April is recognised as a symbolic date for gatherings and cultural events associated with the cannabis movement in various countries.

If you want to learn more about its history, read our article explaining what 420 means and where it comes from.

The cannabis movement in Spain

Spain has developed its own cannabis culture, particularly since the final decades of the 20th century.

During the 1990s, associations emerged to promote cannabis research and debate its legal status.

One of the best known was ARSEC, the Ramón Santos Association for Cannabis Studies, founded in Barcelona.

The association promoted initiatives that raised legal questions about collective cultivation.

One notable initiative took place in 1994, helping bring cannabis associations into public and judicial debate.

Cannabis social clubs

Over time, Spain saw the development of the model known as cannabis social clubs.

These associations have been organised around particular legal interpretations concerning collective activities among adults.

However, it is important to clarify that establishing an association does not automatically make cannabis cultivation, distribution or supply legal.

Spanish courts have examined different situations involving these organisations, and particular activities may constitute administrative offences or crimes depending on the circumstances.

There is therefore no general authorisation covering every activity carried out by cannabis social clubs.

Their legal position must be assessed with reference to the applicable legislation, specific activities and judicial interpretations.

Magazines, fairs and cultural gatherings

The development of Spanish cannabis culture was also linked to specialist publications, associations and events.

One well-known example is Cáñamo magazine, first published in 1997.

Over the years, this and other publications helped share information about the plant, its history, legislation and related social movements.

Specialist fairs such as Spannabis, traditionally held in the Barcelona area, also gained prominence.

These events have brought together professionals, businesses, researchers and people interested in different aspects of the industry.

Specialist fairs are part of the sector's evolution and offer insights into developments in cultivation, plant genetics, technology and hemp-derived products.

For more information, visit our guide to cannabis festivals and fairs in Europe.

The arrival of CBD: a different way of understanding the plant

One of the most significant changes in the industry's recent history has been growing commercial interest in cannabidiol (CBD).

CBD is one of the cannabinoids found in plants of the Cannabis genus.

Unlike THC, CBD is not known for producing the intoxicating effects associated with THC, although both compounds have different chemical characteristics and should not be confused.

Over recent decades, interest in cannabinoids has encouraged research, plant breeding programmes and the development of varieties with different compositions.

These include hemp varieties with different CBD and THC concentrations.

How the audience interested in CBD has changed

Industry growth has broadened the range of people interested in learning about hemp and its derivatives.

Alongside longstanding cannabis enthusiasts, there are people interested in botany, plant varieties, aromatic profiles, plant history and collecting.

Technical information has also gained importance.

References to cultivation systems, cannabinoid composition, production methods and laboratory results are increasingly common.

This development helps distinguish products through verifiable characteristics rather than relying solely on commercial names or general descriptions.

CBD culture and marijuana culture: important differences

CBD culture and marijuana culture share aspects of their history, vocabulary and aesthetics, but they are not identical concepts.

The expression CBD culture is commonly associated with interest in cannabidiol, industrial hemp, its botanical characteristics and derived products.

Marijuana culture has historically been more closely connected with THC-containing cannabis varieties and the related social, political and cultural movements.

There are also important legal differences.

The presence of CBD or a low THC concentration does not, by itself, guarantee that any particular product can be legally marketed in Spain.

Regulation depends on factors such as the nature of the plant material, its origin, processing, presentation and declared commercial purpose.

Cannabis flowers and resins are also subject to specific legal requirements that cannot automatically be equated with those governing other industrial hemp products.

To explore this subject further, read our article about the legal THC limit in Spain.

Current trends in CBD culture

The CBD sector and the market for hemp-derived products have undergone significant changes in recent years.

Alongside new varieties and formats, commercial communication increasingly focuses on technical characteristics, origin and transparency.

These are some of the most notable trends.

From “it contains CBD” to “show me the lab report”

One of the most significant changes is the growing importance of laboratory testing and product documentation.

Although analytical information is not always presented with the same level of detail, it is an essential criterion for understanding the declared composition of a product.

Relevant information includes CBD and THC percentages, batch identification and, where available, further results concerning product composition.

Access to reports from independent laboratories makes it easier to compare products using technical information.

Transparency is therefore becoming an important factor in assessing different products.

Cultivation method as a purchasing consideration

Another increasingly prominent distinction is between indoor-grown, greenhouse-grown and outdoor-grown flowers.

Each system has particular characteristics.

Indoor cultivation allows factors such as lighting, humidity and temperature to be controlled.

Greenhouse cultivation combines protected conditions with natural light and, in some cases, supplementary lighting systems.

Outdoor cultivation depends more directly on environmental conditions.

These differences may influence appearance, structure, bud size and the characteristics of each harvest.

However, no cultivation method guarantees superior quality by itself.

In our CBD flowers collection, we distinguish varieties by their characteristics and growing methods to make the available information easier to consult.

The growing sophistication of CBD hash

The CBD hash sector has also developed greater specialisation.

Today, different terms refer to extraction methods, trichome separation techniques and textural characteristics.

Some of the best known are:

• Bubble hash: resin obtained using techniques that separate trichomes with water and ice.
• Ice-o-lator: a term associated with separation methods using water and low temperatures.
• Dry sift: a technique based on dry sieving of plant material.
• Rosin: a term used for extracts obtained through pressure and heat.
• Live resin: a name used for certain extracts made from plant material preserved by freezing after harvesting.

These names help differentiate products according to their production methods, but they are not guarantees of quality or purity in themselves.

Commercial star-rating systems also exist, particularly for certain resins.

However, these ratings may be based on different criteria and cannot replace laboratory testing.

The development of this category resembles changes seen in specialist sectors such as coffee and wine, where buyers have become increasingly interested in origin, production methods and product characteristics.

New cannabinoids and new questions

Research and developments in the cannabis sector have increased awareness of different cannabinoids.

Alongside CBD and THC, terms such as CBG, CBN and THCV are now frequently mentioned.

These compounds form part of the scientific and commercial vocabulary associated with cannabis plants, although they differ in their properties and regulatory status.

Certain cannabinoids obtained through chemical transformation, such as HHC or hexahydrocannabinol, have also gained attention.

It is important to distinguish cannabinoids occurring naturally in plants from compounds produced or modified through chemical processes.

Furthermore, HHC and other semi-synthetic cannabinoids have been subject to control measures in Spain since April 2025, following the entry into force of Order SND/380/2025.

The emergence of new commercial names does not mean these compounds can be freely marketed or that sufficient information is available about every substance.

One of the most important trends is therefore the need to consult reliable sources, review regulations and distinguish technical information from advertising claims.

Design, communities and social media

The visual identity of cannabis culture has also changed.

Although designs associated with psychedelia and 20th-century countercultural movements remain visible, many brands have developed more varied visual identities.

Packaging design, product photography, variety presentation and clear information are becoming increasingly important.

Social media has also helped create communities interested in botanical photography, genetics, cultivation methods and product comparisons.

In this context, responsible communication should avoid unverified statements and respect the legal restrictions applicable to each category.

Myths and stigmas that still exist

Despite cultural and commercial changes, cannabis remains surrounded by misconceptions.

One common mistake is assuming that all cannabis plants have exactly the same composition.

In reality, there are differences between varieties, plant materials and derived products, particularly in their cannabinoid profiles.

It is also incorrect to regard CBD and THC as equivalent substances.

Although both are cannabinoids, they have different chemical and pharmacological characteristics.

Another misconception is that any product labelled CBD can be marketed without restrictions.

As explained above, legal status does not depend solely on THC percentage. Product category and commercial purpose also matter.

At the other extreme is the tendency to attribute all kinds of benefits to CBD without an adequate basis.

Exaggerated or unsupported claims can create confusion and make it harder for buyers to understand a product's actual characteristics.

From an informative perspective, it is preferable to focus on composition, origin, production methods, traceability and applicable regulations, rather than making promises about supposed effects or benefits.

A better-informed CBD culture should be based on verifiable information and responsible communication.

Frequently asked questions about CBD and marijuana culture

What is the difference between CBD culture and marijuana culture?

They share aspects of their history, aesthetics and vocabulary, but there are important differences.

CBD culture is commonly associated with interest in cannabidiol, hemp varieties, botanical characteristics and derived products.

Marijuana culture has historically been linked to THC-containing cannabis and the social and cultural movements associated with the plant.

Regulatory differences also depend on the type of product and its intended purpose.

When did cannabis prohibition begin?

Restrictions began spreading through different countries during the early decades of the 20th century.

A major milestone was the 1961 United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which established an international control framework.

In Spain, Law 17/1967 adapted parts of national legislation to that framework.

What does 420 mean?

420 is a code associated with cannabis culture, with its best-known origin story dating to California in the 1970s.

Over time, the term gained international recognition.

Today, 20 April is used as a symbolic date for various gatherings and cultural activities related to cannabis.

Is CBD legal in Spain?

The legal status of CBD products depends on their composition, origin, presentation, category and intended commercial purpose.

Simply using an authorised hemp variety or having a low THC concentration is not sufficient.

Cannabis flowers and resins are subject to specific requirements, while other categories, such as foods and cosmetics, must comply with their own regulatory frameworks.

Therefore, it cannot be stated that all CBD products are automatically legal in Spain.

What are cannabis social clubs?

Cannabis social clubs are private associations that emerged in Spain in connection with certain legal interpretations concerning collective activities among adults.

However, the existence of an association does not automatically authorise cannabis cultivation, distribution or supply.

Their legal position depends on their specific activities and the applicable legislation and case law.

What are the main trends in the CBD sector?

Important trends include demand for batch-specific laboratory results, distinctions between cultivation systems, specialisation in hash production methods and interest in additional cannabinoids.

Traceability, product design and information transparency are also becoming more important.

All these developments reflect an industry in which technical documentation and verifiable information are increasingly valued.