Trace the key milestones and events in the history of hemp in America. Learn about its significance in various eras and its impact on society.
As you might know, hemp is a very popular plant worldwide and its impact in the United States has been significant for many years, but when did it all start? In this article, we will go over the history of hemp in America, a long and tumultuous journey that started centuries ago. Nevertheless, let us refresh a little bit about this versatile plant. The hemp plant, which is part of the Cannabis sativa species, is a crop mainly grown for industrial and medicinal uses.
It is originally from Central Asia and has been cultivated for centuries for different uses. Today it is manufactured into products like textiles, ropes, construction and more. Its seeds are also sought after for being extremely nutritious. They can be used in culinary preparations, and they are also used in the well-being industry to be made into oils, creams, soaps and more.
In the United States, the history of hemp dates all the way back to colonial times, and as we will explore later, hemp became a staple crop that was praised by renowned figures like the Founding Fathers, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Its popularity later declined due to its association with marijuana, however in the last few decades it has been again recognized as an eco-friendly crop with many benefits.
Before hemp made its entry into American history, it was used by ancient civilizations, which include China and Mesopotamia. Even then it was used to make textiles, ropes and sails and was valued for its nutritional content, providing food and oil. Due to its medicinal properties, it was also used in traditional medicine to create a variety of remedies. This plant was absolutely vital for early societies, contributing to their daily lives and technological developments.
The history of hemp in America begins with the arrival of English settlements in the 17th century. The first record in US history dates back to 1616 in the state of Virginia. It was recognized as a great crop to produce textiles, ropes and sails, and colonial governments supported and promoted its production. It also provided oil for lamps, and the strong fibers of the hemp plant became crucial for the maritime industry and further exploring endeavors.
In the 20th century, the history of hemp took a turn in America. Hemp was first heavily taxed in 1937 to discourage farmers from planting the crop due to its association with marijuana. This marked a darker time, blazed by public and political fear. A stigma around hemp came to be, and it was banned from the US in 1970 through the Controlled Substances Act, which classifies hemp and marijuana as illegal and dangerous. Its production stopped completely until slowly, but surely, hemp was once again recognized for its true potential.
In this article, we went over the history of hemp in America from its introduction in the country until the 20th century, but what about today? At a federal level, cultivation is allowed due to the introduction of a farming bill in 2018. However, each state has specific regulations and can have additional restrictions on the production and sale of hemp and any derived products. Consequently, although hemp is legal at a federal level, its status can differ between territories.
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