During, as well as many years after the Revolutionary War, hemp was considered to be so valuable that it was considered to be equivalent to legal tender. As such, from as early as the 1600’s, it was commonly used to satisfy tax liabilities. Likewise, raw hemp, as well as a variety of hemp products were bartered and traded in exchange for goods and services.  

The demand for hemp cultivation and harvest was crucial to the growth and success during the birth of this great nation. Colonists soon discovered that it grew very well in a variety of soil and climate conditions, and grew quite rapidly. In fact, even as early as the 15th century, when England was building strength as a naval superpower, hemp could not be grown fast enough throughout the colonies to satisfy the need for rope riggings and canvas sails. 

“Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth & protection of the country.” -Thomas Jefferson

Hemp was needed for a wide variety of other uses to manufacture paper, book bindings, furniture upholstery, curtains, mattresses, cordage, hemp oil for lamps and even currency. It is purported that the first American flag was made of hemp cloth known for its durability. Clothing for the war and grain sacks for transport were other products in high demand at that time period.

“Make the most you can of the Indian Hemp seed and sow it everywhere.” -George Washington

Sadly, it has taken over 80 years to bring hemp back into the mainstream of American lives. Many warm thanks are extended Eric Steenstra, President of VoteHemp.com for many years of service in making industrial hemp a legal reality and especially to the US House and Senate for their collective bipartisan effort in passing the Farm Bill of 2018.