Skip to main content

Early America — Hemp Fields of the Founding Fathers | Part 5 of 7: Tennessee Cannabiz History Series

Part 5: Tennessee Cannabiz History Series
Early America Hemp Fields of the Founding Fathers


Part 5: Early America — Hemp Fields of the Founding Fathers

From Colonial Fields to the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act

🌱 Hemp in Colonial America

Hemp was legal, essential, and widely cultivated in early America. Colonists relied on it for rope, sails, clothing, paper, and oil. Founding Fathers like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson personally grew hemp on their plantations.

It wasn’t a recreational plant for most people — it was an economic lifeline. Hemp production sustained families, supported colonial industries, and even contributed to the Revolutionary War effort.

“Victorious warriors know the terrain before the battle.” — Sun Tzu

The terrain in America was fertile, and hemp was a strategic crop — powering agriculture, trade, and early industry.

💊 Medicine & Daily Life

Cannabis tinctures appeared in 19th-century American pharmacies:

  • Pain relief, inflammation, and menstrual cramps
  • Appetite stimulation and digestion
  • Anxiety and sleep aid

Hemp seeds and oil were staple foods. Cannabis was integrated into daily life in a responsible and medicinal context, not criminalized or demonized.

🏺 Economic Impact

  • Farmers: Grew hemp for fibers, seeds, and oil.
  • Merchants & Craftsmen: Produced rope, textiles, paper, and tinctures.
  • Communities: Hemp strengthened local economies and trade networks.

Hemp was America’s forgotten cash crop, foundational to industry, medicine, and food security.

🚫 Political Shift & Prohibition

By the 1930s, cannabis went from respected to reviled. The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 criminalized the plant, influenced by:

  • Industrial lobbying (cotton, timber, alcohol)
  • Racism and propaganda targeting immigrants
  • Misunderstanding of hemp vs. psychoactive cannabis

Prohibition erased centuries of economic, medicinal, and cultural memory.

“He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.” — Sun Tzu

Tennessee can reclaim its heritage by fighting smart: reclaim hemp cultivation, educate the public, and support responsible cannabis use.

⚔️ Lessons for Tennessee Cannabiz

  1. Heritage matters: Tennessee farmers have a historical precedent — hemp is not new here.
  2. Economic revival: Industrial hemp, medicinal cannabinoids, and food products can restore lost revenue streams.
  3. Policy foresight: Careful regulation now avoids the mistakes of 1937 and maximizes opportunity.
  4. Education is key: Awareness of history changes public perception and builds support for legalization and growth.

🚀 Next in the Series

Part 6: Tennessee Roots — From Pioneer Crop to Prohibition

“He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.” – Sun Tzu

🔗 Tennessee Cannabiz History Series Hub Page

🌿 Explore the Series 🌿

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

People's Choice

Free the Green: A Plea for Federal Marijuana Rescheduling

Cannabis Plea For Presidential Clemency Free the Green: A Plea for Federal Marijuana Rescheduling Tennessee has already shown us what happens when entrenched interests and moral gatekeepers get to decide the fate of cannabis. High-THCA hemp is being outlawed, alcohol profiteers are cementing control over legal hemp, and private prisons still profit from outdated laws. The result? Ordinary citizens and small businesses are punished, while special interests thrive. The Holier-Than-Thou Interference Too often, policy is driven not by science or fairness, but by people and organizations who think they know better than everyone else. Regulators, politicians, and industry lobbyists have allowed personal biases and financial incentives to dictate what Americans can grow, sell, or consume. THCA bans, complex licensing systems, and arbitrary enforcement all prove the point: when marijuana is scheduled federally as it is now, interference from outsiders rules the day. Why Rescheduling Ma...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is Delta 9?

Delta-9 refers to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol , commonly known as THC . Not a Delta 9 Compound-but it looks cool. THC is the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis that is responsible for the "high" or intoxicating effects when consumed. Delta-9 specifically refers to the specific position of a double bond in the THC molecule. It is the most well-known and studied cannabinoid in cannabis and is what gives marijuana its euphoric and mind-altering properties. When people talk about THC in cannabis, they are usually referring to delta-9-THC. 🧭 Explore Tennessee Cannabiz 🛞 Series Master Hub
Post a Comment
Read more

Optimizing the Decarboxylation process to Achieve the Desired THC Potency?

 When optimizing the decarboxylation process to achieve the desired THC potency, there are several key factors to consider: Heating the THCA CANNABIS 1. Temperature :  • Higher temperatures (above 300°F/150°C) can lead to faster decarboxylation but also increase the risk of over-decarboxylation and potential degradation of THC. • The optimal temperature range is typically between 220-245°F (105-118°C) for complete decarboxylation while preserving THC potency. 2. Time: • Longer exposure to heat results in more complete decarboxylation, but too much time can lead to THC degradation. • The ideal decarboxylation time is usually between 30-60 minutes, depending on the temperature used. 3. Moisture Content: • Cannabis with higher moisture content may require longer decarboxylation times to achieve the same level of THC conversion. • Drying the cannabis prior to decarboxylation can help improve the efficiency of the process. 4. Cannabis Strain and Cannabinoid Profile: • Different can...
Post a Comment
Read more

Endocannabinoid System Explained: How Your Body Responds to Cannabis Naturally

  Endocannabinoid System Explained: How Your Body Responds to Cannabis Naturally Meta Description: Discover how your endocannabinoid system (ECS) works, why it’s called the body’s natural cannabis system, and how it affects mood, sleep, appetite, and more. What the Heck is the Endocannabinoid System? Your Endocannabinoid System Think of your body as a high-tech network, buzzing with messages and signals. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is like the secret Wi-Fi that keeps everything balanced. Scientists only discovered it in the 1990s, but it’s been running your body behind the scenes all along. Your ECS is made up of three key components: Receptors (CB1 and CB2) – The “antennae” on your cells that detect cannabinoids. Endocannabinoids – Your body’s own natural cannabis molecules. Enzymes – The clean-up crew that breaks down cannabinoids when they’ve done their job. Why Should You Care? Your ECS affects almost everything: Mood & stress – K...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cannabis and the Endocannabinoid System: Legalization, Benefits, and Research

Cannabis and the Endocannabinoid System: Legalization, Benefits, and Research Meta Description: Learn how cannabis interacts with your endocannabinoid system (ECS), the benefits of THC and CBD , and how legalization trends are shaping research and access to cannabinoids. Cannabinoid Receptors: Science & Legalization Why Your ECS Loves Cannabis Your endocannabinoid system (ECS) is built to interact with cannabinoids, whether they come from your body or the cannabis plant. Cannabis contains over 100 cannabinoids, with THC and CBD being the most well-known. THC: Binds mainly to CB1 receptors in the brain, producing euphoria, altered perception, and relaxation. CBD: Interacts with CB2 receptors and modulates CB1 activity, helping reduce inflammation , pain, and anxiety without a psychoactive high . Benefits of Cannabis Through the ECS When used responsibly, cannabinoids can support: Stress relief and mood regulation Pain and inflammation managem...
Post a Comment
Read more