The Great Hemp Conspiracy Part 6 | Cannabis in the Industrial Age: Part 6 – Hemp for Victory

Cannabis in the Industrial Age: Part 6 – Hemp for Victory

Part 6 of The Great Hemp Conspiracy

During World War II, the U.S. faced critical shortages of rope, textiles, and other materials essential to the war effort. Suddenly, the demonized hemp plant became a strategic asset. The government launched the “Hemp for Victory” campaign, urging farmers to cultivate hemp for national defense.

The Revival of Hemp

Hemp production surged across America. Farmers planted thousands of acres, producing rope, sails, and other military-grade materials. Henry Ford’s earlier experiments with hemp composites gained renewed attention, though industrial-scale adoption remained limited. Hemp was recognized not just as a useful crop, but as a matter of national security.

Propaganda Turned Positive

The government used posters, films, and leaflets to encourage citizens to grow hemp, depicting it as patriotic duty. The same media machinery that had demonized cannabis a few years earlier was now framing it as essential to victory. Despite this temporary reprieve, the post-war era saw a return to restrictive policies, and industrial hemp cultivation dwindled once again.

Legacy of “Hemp for Victory”

Although brief, this campaign highlighted hemp’s unparalleled versatility and importance. It demonstrated that the suppression of hemp had been economically and politically motivated, rather than based on the plant’s utility. Hemp’s strategic value during WWII remains a key chapter in understanding both its potential and the historical forces that sought to suppress it.

Sources & Citations

• Booth, Martin. Cannabis: A History. St. Martin’s Press, 2003.
• Abel, Ernest L. Marijuana: The First Twelve Thousand Years. Springer, 1980.
• Hemp Industries Association. “Hemp for Victory.” U.S. Government Film, 1942.
• Russo, Ethan B. “History of Cannabis and Its Preparations in Saga, Science, and Sobriquet.” Chemistry & Biodiversity, vol. 4, 2007.