People tend to forget that the stigma attached to "drug" use has only been around for about 100 years, when most false authorities began to outlaw them.
Even in the early 1900's cannabis, cocaine and even heroin were not frowned upon. They were all legal and easily available at the local "drug" store!
If you think this is interesting you should look into the theory that Shakespear wasn't even the real author of his works and may have been the front-man for Sir Francis Bacon! I guess this would leave good ol' William free to lounge on the couch puffing his favorite pipe in anticipation of the fame and fortune to come!
Thanks for the great post!