It is believed that cannabis originated in an ancient village in Asia. Ever wondered how it made its way to the United States? Hemp was often used during the times of World War II and dated back to colonial times. The crop was planted and used for materials such as clothing and tools that would be useful for ships in order to maintain smooth sailing. Farmers who were apart of the War-era grew many fields of cannabis Sativa.

FUN FACT #1: “More than 120,000 pounds of hemp fiber was needed to rig the 44-gun USS Constitution, America’s oldest Navy ship affectionately called “Old Ironsides.” – Farm Collector

Hemp became an important crop for war-craft, including ship builds and repairs. During the era in which many spent their time out at sea, hemp became widely popular because of its interesting form of cultivation and having a “natural decay resistance” structure. By the 1600s, hemp was used to produce many cloths or paper-based materials in the south.

FUN FACT #2: “The first drafts of the Declaration of Independence were penned on hemp paper”. – Farm Collector

FUN FACT #3: “Hemp was also considered a form of currency in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland”. – History

During World War II, hemp was also used to prepare the shoelaces of the soldiers and made it possible for parachutes to maintain sturdy webbing for paratroopers. Throughout history, the continuous use of hemp has grown and evolved from methods of war-craft to having the potential to provide medicinal benefits for the mind and body. The future utilization of hemp can be viewed as something quite fascinating. With the industry moving at such a fast pace, one can definitely foresee its success through cultivation.

~ The PG Team