Did Shakespeare Write When High On Marijuana?

His plays can drive audiences into a dramatic high. Now researchers think William Shakespeare may have been on a high when he wrote some of them.

According to The Telegraph, chemical analysis of the pipes found in the Bard's garden revealed traces of cannabis. Researchers analyzed 24 pipes of which eight contained traces of marijuana. Four of the pipes reportedly came from Shakespeare's property. While traces of cocaine were found in two other pipes, these did not belong to the playwright.

News that Shakespeare may have smoked weed came as no surprise to many given the popular view that significant works of art, literature and music were produced when under influence of mind altering substances.

In Shakespeare's case, the playwright may have known what he was smoking. The Telegraph reports that Shakespeare's works conveyed he was aware of the effects of both cannabis and cocaine.

"In Sonnet 76, he writes about 'invention in a noted weed', which could be interpreted to mean that Shakespeare was willing to use 'weed', or cannabis, while he was writing," The Telegraph reports.

"In the same sonnet it appears that he would prefer not to be associated with 'compounds strange', which can be interpreted, at least potentially, to mean 'strange drugs'," it notes.