Pinpointing a single inventor of the "joint" is difficult; however, the earliest documented use of the term and practice dates back to Mexico around 1850.
Origins of the Joint
The first recorded use of the term "joint" is believed to be in Mexico around 1850. A pharmacist at the University of Guadalajara observed that field workers were mixing marijuana with tobacco in their cigarettes, also known as spliffs. This suggests that the practice of combining marijuana and tobacco in a rolled cigarette was already in place amongst the working class in Mexico at that time. Therefore, there wasn’t necessarily a single inventor, but rather a gradual adoption and evolution of the practice.
In summary:
- Around 1850, in Mexico: The earliest recorded use of the term “joint” is found.
- University of Guadalajara: A pharmacist observed field workers mixing marijuana with tobacco.
- Spliffs: The resulting cigarettes were essentially spliffs (marijuana mixed with tobacco).
