Independence Built on Hemp?

Many people are surprised to hear that cannabis has been legal in the U.S. longer than it has been illegal. Not only that, but cannabis/hemp has played an important role in the history of the U.S.A. and its Military.

Hemp arrived in Colonial America with the Puritans. At that time, all sea vessels carried some hemp seed with them - due to the fact that hemp could be used to make things like canvas, paper, cloth, rope, and sails for boats.

It played such a key role for the colonies that in 1619, Jamestown announced an order requiring all farmers to grow hemp.1

It’s important to note that back then there was no differentiation between the terms, hemp, and cannabis. It wasn’t until 1753 that the scientific term of cannabis was used to describe the hemp plant in the US.2

Learn more: What Is Cannabis? Is It Different from Hemp and Marijuana?

Independence Drafted on Hemp

Benjamin Franklin owned one of the first paper mills that processed hemp into parchment. It’s widely believed that the first draft of the Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper.

Did The Founding Fathers Smoke Hemp?

It is no secret that the Founding Fathers of the U.S. were proponents of hemp and grew it themselves. Thomas Jefferson and George Washington often wrote about the benefits of growing hemp instead of tobacco.

Not only did Thomas Jefferson believe in its potential as an industrial crop, but some think he may have also enjoyed hemp’s psychoactive effects. According to one popular story, Jefferson obtained hemp seeds from China.

Since cannabis was first domesticated in Asia, and that region is home to landrace strains like Thai Stick and Afghani, some think he could have brought the seeds back for their unique genetics.

Learn more: What Is A Landrace Strain?

Did the Commander in Chief, Cheef?

George Washington believed that hemp could be more profitable as a crop than tobacco due to its wide range of potential uses. So much so that he grew hemp at his Mount Vernon estate.

In a diary entry from August 1765, George Washington wrote, “… began to separate the male from the female hemp …” 3

There are some who say that George Washington writing about separating male and female plants indicates he may have been interested in the psychoactive properties of cannabis – since this is done to boost the levels of cannabinoids like THC in cannabis plants.

First Few Presidents May Have Smoked

Of course, this is just speculation. However, Dr. Burke, the President of the American Historical Reference Society, believes the first seven Presidents of the U.S. were hemp smokers - saying, “Early letters from our founding fathers refer to the pleasures of hemp smoking.”3

Learn more: America and Cannabis: History of Cannabis in the USA

– Gif by Giphy

Whether or not the Founding Fathers Smoked Hemp, one thing is for sure. Bloom celebrates the fact that now those who can benefit from the therapeutic and recreational potential of cannabis now have access to this natural form of medicine. This is great news for many of our soldiers who return home from their service with war injuries - both physical and mental health related.

Could the Entourage Effect Help with Mood Disorders?

If you haven’t already, make sure to check out our recent write up about recent discoveries that seem to indicate that - when consumed together, the terpenes and cannabinoids in cannabis can help those facing depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.

It’s especially encouraging that this enhanced synergy, known as the entourage effect, has the potential to help millions avoid the undesirable effects of pharmaceutical antidepressants - since mood disorders are the most prevalent mental health condition encountered in psychiatric practice.

Learn more: Entourage Effect in CBD and THC

Celebrate Independence Day with Bloom

Come celebrate independence with us at any of our Maryland and Ohio locations!

Maryland Bloom Dispensary:

• Germantown Dispensary

Ohio Bloom Dispensaries:

• Bloom Dispensary in Akron, Ohio
• Bloom Dispensary in Columbus, Ohio
• Bloom Dispensary in Painesville, Ohio
• Bloom Dispensary in Seven Mile, Ohio

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1. https://worldhistory.us/american-history/hemp-and-our-founding-fathers.php
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
3. Hemp and Our Founding Fathers | World History