“Hemp is the only plant that can feed you, house you, clothe you, and heal you,” declares Jack Herer, a renowned hemp activist and author of The Emperor Wears No Clothes.
For centuries, hemp has shaped America’s history, from crafting essential ropes and sails for sailors to driving the creation of sustainable materials. Industrial hemp is a sustainability powerhouse, capable of absorbing up to 15 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare, making it one of the most efficient crops for carbon sequestration. But the story goes beyond low-THC industrial hemp cultivated for textiles, paper, and eco-friendly innovations.
High-THC cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, has emerged as a controversial player in hemp’s evolution. Revived by legal challenges, it has fueled both recreational and medicinal markets while reshaping public perception. From colonial agriculture to powering wellness, construction, and renewable materials industries, hemp’s history is one of resilience.
Hemp: The Colonial Superplant
In the early 1600s, hemp was a prized crop of the New World, essential for producing rope, cloth, and oil. Jamestown settlers depended on hemp for ship rigging, sturdy sails, and tough fabrics to withstand colonial life.
Unlike high-THC cannabis, industrial hemp had no intoxicating effects but provided essential materials. In 1632, Virginia mandated hemp cultivation, recognizing its critical role in the colony’s survival and prosperity. While industrial hemp served practical purposes like rope and cloth, the Founding Fathers recognized its full potential, from supporting the nation’s economy to symbolizing the American spirit.
Let’s look at how they made hemp a cornerstone of early America.
Founding Fathers’ Favorite Hemp Plants
The Founding Fathers recognized hemp’s immense value, championing it for its versatility and economic benefits. George Washington grew hemp at Mount Vernon for rope and fabric, even noting in his journal: “Make the most you can of hemp seed and sow it everywhere.”
Thomas Jefferson saw hemp as essential to America’s future, advocating for its agricultural benefits and economic potential. According to historians at Mount Vernon, early drafts of the Declaration of Independence may have been written on hemp paper.
As America grew, so did the demand for hemp, becoming central to the country’s expansion and economy. By the 19th century, Kentucky became the heart of U.S. hemp production, but as with many great stories, change was on the horizon.
The Rise of Hemp Fame
By the 19th century, Kentucky dominated U.S. hemp production, supplying over half of the nation’s rope, canvas, and textiles. At its peak, the state accounted for nearly 75% of all hemp used across the country.
Hemp’s durability made it an essential resource for ship rigging, covered wagons on the Oregon Trail, and sturdy Civil War uniforms. As the nation expanded westward, hemp remained a key industrial resource. However, by the late 19th century, alternative materials and shifting economic priorities led to a decline in hemp’s prominence.
Just when it seemed like hemp’s prominence was fading, the nation found itself in a time of war, and hemp was called back into action. The ‘Hemp for Victory’ campaign marked a pivotal moment in this plant’s legacy.
Hemp Goes to War
During World War II, the U.S. government launched the “Hemp for Victory” campaign, urging farmers to grow hemp for essential military supplies like parachutes, ropes, and tarpaulins. At its peak, U.S. hemp cultivation exceeded 100,000 acres, producing 90% of the rope used in naval operations.
“Without hemp, we would have faced shortages that could have crippled our wartime efforts,” noted a 1942 USDA report.
While hemp was essential during wartime, its reputation took a sharp turn in the years that followed, thanks to political forces that sought to criminalize the plant.”
Hemp: From Hero to Villain
In 1937, the Marihuana Tax Act criminalized all hemp varieties, lumping industrial hemp together with high-THC cannabis. This legislation, influenced by economic and political interests, led to a sharp decline in hemp cultivation. By 1970, the Controlled Substances Act classified hemp as a Schedule I drug, making it illegal alongside heroin and LSD.
“The criminalization of hemp was not based on science or practicality but on politics and public misperception,” explains historian Richard Bonnie.
For centuries, hemp had evolved with America’s needs. But after World War II, the U.S. government abruptly turned its back on the very crop that had been essential to the country’s success. But hemp’s story didn’t end there. Despite decades of neglect and stigma, hemp’s incredible potential was about to resurface. And thanks to a shift in public perception and evolving laws, hemp was ready for its big comeback.
The Big Comeback
In the early 2000s, hemp’s long-awaited resurgence began, fueled by legislative reforms:
- 2014: The Farm Bill reintroduced industrial hemp, enabling research and pilot programs for textiles, bioplastics, and sustainable construction.
- 2018: The Farm Bill fully legalized industrial hemp nationwide, finally distinguishing it from marijuana and resolving decades of legal confusion.
The bill defined industrial hemp as cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC, allowing its legal cultivation across the U.S. By 2021, the U.S. industrial hemp market reached $824 million, with projections to grow at a CAGR of 22.4% by 2028. This clearly shows that hemp is not just a throwback to the past; it’s driving a new era of sustainability and innovation.
Why Hemp is the Future
Today, states like Colorado and Kentucky are leading the hemp revolution, utilizing bioplastics, regenerative farming, and hempcrete for sustainable construction.
“Hemp isn’t just a crop; it’s a blueprint for sustainable innovation,” observes journalist Chris Roberts in Forbes.
Simultaneously, high-THC cannabis is driving a multi-billion-dollar recreational and medicinal industry, adding a new dimension to hemp’s legacy. The global hempcrete market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 31.4% between 2021 and 2028, reflecting increasing demand for sustainable construction materials.
Together, industrial and intoxicating hemp provide tangible solutions for a future defined by sustainability, cutting-edge innovation, and improved wellness. Meanwhile, the global legal cannabis market is projected to surpass $100 billion by 2030, fueled by expanding medicinal and recreational use.
Hemp’s future is clear as a vital part of our sustainable world.
The Legacy Lives On
From colonial fields to modern farms, hemp’s journey exemplifies centuries of reinvention to meet human needs. Industrial hemp powers sustainable agriculture and wellness, while high-THC cannabis is reducing stigma and driving economic growth.
Together, they are shaping a future defined by sustainable materials, modern medicine, and innovation. America’s past was built on hemp. Its future is being transformed by it. And this time, it’s here to stay.
