Many people have questions when they find out we’re a hemp and organic clothing company. Questions such as, “hemp clothing!? So your clothes are made of marijuana?” Or “how can you make hemp clothing, I thought hemp was illegal”, and occasionally questions can be as simple as “what is hemp?” A wide range of questions are frequently asked, those are just three examples. By the time you are done reading this post hopefully all your questions will be answered. I am going to go into the brief history of hemp and where it originated from as well as its current status as the worlds most versatile plant.

Hemp has been around since the Stone Age, and used by many different civilizations. There is actual documentation of hemp pottery shards found in Taiwan and China that were made over 10,000 years ago. Hemp is found all over the world and is known for its versatility and ability to grow under extreme conditions, needing no pesticides or supplements. The scientific name for hemp is Cannabis Sativa, which is Latin for “useful hemp”. Hemp was first cultivated in Chile and introduced to the western hemisphere by the Spaniards in 1545. The economical benefits and wide use of commercial products derived from the plant made hemp high in demand and the most lucrative crop on earth. Hemp was found so useful that in 1619 an Act was passed in Virginia making it law that some plantations had to grow a certain percentage of hemp.  There were several other “must grow” laws over the next 200 years and during most of that time, hemp was legal tender you could even pay your taxes with hemp. You are probably thinking if this plant has so many uses what makes it illegal?

Considering marijuana and industrial hemp derive from the same plant, the propaganda surrounding marijuana use is what led to the outlawing of growing industrialized hemp, regardless of the numerous benefits. It was in the early 1900′s when the Pure Food and Drug Act passed forming the Food and Drug Administration. This was the first time that drugs had any government oversight. States one by one started outlawing the hemp plant, these laws were known as the “anti-marijuana laws”. With the power of propaganda the use of marijuana was considered to drive people insane thus constituting the 21st amendment which would label marijuana as a schedule one narcotic drug (reserved for the most dangerous drugs that have no recognized medical use). The FBI used fear, racism, protections of corporate profits, and personal career advancement and greed as tactics to convince the masses that the hemp PLANT should be illegal. During 1941 Henry Ford constructed the first car of hemp fabric as well as fueled it by hemp. Exactly two years later in 1943 the “Hemp for Victory” program urged farmers to once again grow hemp for the war considering its versatility and strength. Not too long after as hypocritical as can be, hemp farming once again is banned. As the years went on more and more money has been invested in drug abuse programs and the effort to arrest marijuana users.

Other countries soon did their own research through hemp farming and began to follow their own hemp farming laws. In 1992 Australia licenses hemp farming, a year later in 1993 England ceases restriction on hemp farming and the media declare hemp clothes and cannabis leaf logo hottest new fashion. In 1998 the Canadian government legalizes the commercial growth of industrial hemp. Many other countries followed suit legalizing commercial growth of industrial hemp. The benefits of growing hemp out weigh the negatives, in fact there are NO negative aspects of farming industrialized hemp. Industrial hemp is grown in every industrialized country in the world except the United States because of its relation to the drug marijuana. Although industrial hemp materials can be sold in the United States the farming of hemp is still illegal. Importers and manufacturers in the U.S have thrived using imported raw materials. Other countries around the world are using it to make a variety of items like rope, clothes, medicines, foods and canvas fabrics just to name a few. The fabrics made from the hemp plant are stronger, last longer and are far more durable than many other materials. Before petroleum became our primary fuel source, hemp oil was used as a biodiesal and alcohol fuel that could power diesel engines as well as heat and light up your home. Hemp is currently being used for over 25,000 different uses world wide. Hopefully in the near future the United States will once again see past the propaganda and allow this amazing plant to be used at its full potential.

“Make the most of the Indian hemp seed, and sow it everywhere!”- George Washington (on a note to his gardener at Mount Vernon, 1794)

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