Recently, Forbes reported that some of the top most Pharma companies of today, i.e., Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) and Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:LLY) were the original sellers of medical marijuana. Forbes reported that the medical marijuana was sold originally in the U.S. by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co (NYSE:BMY)’s Squibb, Parke-Davis (which is now owned by Pfizer) as well as Eli Lilly. In their catalogue dating back to 1919, it has been found that these companies had on their menu, a range of cannabis products.

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Cannabis: A popular product during that century

During that time, most of the medicines were original generics, which meant that they were all the same. Therefore, it was considered as brand recognition and a marketing technique to ensure that people were purchasing the drug from just one company again and again. The Antique Cannabis Book explains that approximately 6% of the manufactured drugs during that century were containing cannabis in some or the other form. Squibb, for instance, was selling it in the form of powder, fluid extracts, tinctures and tablets. And, Squibb was not even the leader in this segment and had just 15 of such products in the menu.

Meanwhile in 1935, UpJohn & Co had 30 varied entries of cannabis in the catalogue. Parke Davis had 27 of these and Eli Lilly was selling 23 such cannabis entries. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) was selling just 4 of these.

Cannabis were used for almost all ailments

These were used for the treatment of a range of illnesses such as stomach worms, female medical issues, migraines, addiction, mental illnesses and epilepsy. It was utilized in the form of aphrodisiac and for treating STDs as well.

It is only now that they have raised eyebrows, even for the use of pets’ treatments. But, during the turn of that century, cannabis were used for as the veterinary medicine as well.