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Including Two Types of Cannabis

This vibrant Medicinal Plant Map of the United States of America was published in September 1932 by the National Wholesale Druggists' Association. It showcases a botanical survey of medicinal plants found across the United States, designed to highlight their significant role in the pharmaceutical sciences and underscore the pharmacist's essential contribution to healthcare.

The map is accompanied by educational text on the verso emphasizing the critical relationship between pharmacists and the natural products that form the basis of many medicines. It also includes an observation of Pharmacy Week to promote public awareness of pharmacists' contributions. 

The map combines geographic and botanical information, detailing each state's native or cultivated medicinal plants, represented with colorful and precise illustrations. In addition to the regional flora, the map borders feature drawings and descriptions of internationally sourced medicinal plants. These include species such as Cannabis sativa, noted here as cultivated in tropical and temperate regions, and Cannabis indica, used historically for producing drugs such as Indian hemp. These entries reflect the pharmaceutical context of the era, documenting cannabis as an ingredient in medicinal preparations rather than the legal and social complexities associated with the plant today. 

The central text block, titled The Service of Pharmacy, explains the critical role of pharmacists in public health. It highlights that a significant proportion of medicines in 1932 derived from over 200 different plants, with many sourced locally or through controlled cultivation. The accompanying botanical depictions are linked to the United States Pharmacopoeia X or the National Formulary, fifth edition, reflecting rigorous scientific standards of the period. This map also serves as a visual education tool, demonstrating how pharmacists applied scientific knowledge to transform raw botanical materials into medicinal products. 

Published during Pharmacy Week, the map’s distribution aligned with efforts to educate the public about the intricate chemical, botanical, and pharmaceutical sciences involved in preparing medicine. By illustrating the connections between regional plants, global trade, and the work of the pharmacist, this map functioned as both an educational resource and a celebration of the profession's contributions.

This artifact is a fascinating intersection of art, science, and public health, offering insight into early 20th-century pharmaceutical practices and the diverse botanical resources upon which they relied. 

Rarity

The map is quite rare.

We note examples at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the David Rumsey Map Collection.