The Complicated History of Hemp in the U.S.

For a long time, hemp straddled a murky line about its legality, which had many people weary of wanting to deal with it. Though hemp has been perfectly acceptable and legal at some points, at other times, the plant was seen as an illicit drug and deemed illegal. After much debate, commonsense prevailed, and the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill passed. The bill means that hemp is now legal on a federal level. Let’s take a look at hemp’s long, complicated history in the U.S.

Hemp During the Good Times 

Hemp is known as one of the oldest crops on the planet and was cultivated in America by native inhabitants long before Europeans reached its shores. Some records suggest that settlers started planting and harvesting crops as soon as 1632. Virginia mandated that every planter should plant and sow hemp. This sentiment caught on because Massachusetts and Connecticut passed similar mandates in the 17th and 18th centuries. Therefore, at this time, hemp was very much legal, and its planting was encouraged.

Even George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew the versatile crop on their land. Hemp was so important to the early days of modern-day America that some historians say the founding fathers wrote the first drafts of the Declaration of Independence on hemp paper. Americans’ reliance on hemp grew well into the 19th century, and planters grew it in even more states. 

Hemp’s popularity was at an all-time high in the early part of the 20th century. A magazine article noted that the hemp industry would become worth $1 billion. However, many Americans turned their backs on hemp and began to view it in a different light.

The Demonization of Hemp

Since hemp and marijuana are connected, many lawmakers grouped them, so this led to hemp being considered a drug and made illegal. Both the federal government and individual states decided to pass laws limiting or prohibiting the production of cannabis, including hemp.

In 1937, the federal government passed the Marijuana Tax Act. While the act did not outright outlaw the growth of hemp, it did place an expensive tax on the plant. Various anti-cannabis films came out around this time to stress the danger of cannabis. Additionally, synthetic fibers began to gain in popularity, so the demand for higher-priced hemp fibers decreased. Hemp’s downfall continued, but things soon turned around. 

WWII & Hemp’s Resurgence 

In 1941, hemp experienced a resurgence once the U.S. entered World War II. Since Japan restricted its hemp supply, U.S. farmers began to grow the crop at home again. The U.S. government implemented a campaign touting all the once-popular hemp benefits. The government even gave out 400,000 pounds of seeds for farmers to plant. A pro-hemp film was released to let Americans know that growing hemp was patriotic and needed during wartime. Farmers grew around 42,000 tons of hemp yearly between 1942 and 1946. But, once the war was over, hemp’s production declined once again.

Legally Loud and Proud

Throughout the next few decades, lawmakers continued to regulate hemp with various laws. An appeal court ruled in 2004 that the DEA couldn’t regulate particular parts of hemp under the then-law as it stood. The government allowed hemp to be imported once again. In 2018, the passage of the Farm Bill made hemp legal across the United States. Once again, hemp was legally loud and proud, which led to the advent of tons of brands and products specializing in CBD. 

Make Your CBD Dreams Come True 

One of the brands specializing in CBD is Hemps Company. We offer sweet and tasty gummies in fun flavors that customers can’t help but flock to. To purchase high-quality hemp products conveniently anytime, visit Hemps to make all your CBD dreams come true!