This chapter examines the history of cannabis dependence, particularly emphasizing key themes that have contributed to how cannabis dependence has been perceived by the general public, by the scientific community, and by policy-makers. Variations in cannabis plant species, preparations, and methods of administration result in a wide range of behavioral effects associated with the regular use of this drug. Vivid and evocative imagery, often conveyed in popular literature and the media, has been among the key contributors to the public's perceptions of cannabis, its dependence liability, and the consequences of becoming dependent. In the mid-1800s, a group of French writers and artists, referring to themselves as Le Club des Hachichins, met monthly in Paris, experimented with an eaten cannabis concoction, and mused about its effects on their creative imaginations. Formal boards of inquiry have been established periodically in order to summarize existing knowledge concerning cannabis.