Our country owes a lot to cannabis sativa and its many varieties. From the stalks and seeds that produce fiber and food to the resinous trichomes that deliver THC, it’s truly an American treasure. Despite the 80-year Federal ban on cannabis, the plant is deeply rooted in our history and helped form the backbone of our nation.
As we celebrate Independence Day with tasty BBQ and good friends, let’s take a moment to appreciate the role cannabis has played in shaping the history and culture of America. And how it will continue to be a part of our quest for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Hemp Helped Build the Foundation for America
Hemp is a variety of cannabis sativa, and one of the oldest domesticated crops ever planted. The American history of hemp and its connection to our country’s birth starts back in the American colonies of the 1600s. Hemp produced so many essential products in the New World that legislation was drafted which required every farmer to grow it as part of their patriotic duty. Hemp was considered legal tender in the colonies, and could even be used to pay taxes!
Our founding fathers had a personal understanding of the power of hemp. Thomas Jefferson and George Washington both frequently wrote about the glories of the crop and cultivated hemp on their private farms. Benjamin Franklin himself built the first hemp papermill to free colonists from depending on highly taxed British paper, moving us further towards becoming an independent nation.
Hemp Helped Us Win Our Independence
Hemp was there to lend a hand during the Revolutionary War. It was used to make sails, ropes, and hull caulking for our warships, and provided clothing