Marijuana Legalization
by mike on Jan.29, 2009, under economics, environmental, most important, rant
Washington grew it. Jefferson grew it. It was at one time the world’s number one cash crop. It was legal up until the early 1930s. When the USA entered WWII the federal government decriminalized it and had an ad campaign going — “Grow Hemp for the War!” I’ll cut short my tirade (for now). In the meantime, check out this clever ad.
January 30th, 2009 on 12:12 am
but did Washington and Jefferson smoke it or was it for textiles?
January 30th, 2009 on 12:39 am
I have no idea how many people smoked it in those days. Historically speaking, the drug use aspect had probably been a small part of hemp cultivation. It was a staple crop the world over, it could grow in diverse climates, grew rapidly, and it’s deep rot structure helped control erosion*. It was used for ropes, sails, clothing, paper, oil for fuel, lubrication, and cooking, and a number of other uses. The word “canvas” is from late Middle English, which was derived from Old Northern French canevas, based on Latin cannabis ‘hemp,’ from Greek kannabis. The original bluejeans created by Levi Strauss were made from canvas for the miners.
* Bangladesh used to grow a lot of hemp. Ever since they abandoned hemp as a crop (at the behest of the USA) their country has had rampant problems with soil erosion.
January 29th, 2009 on 11:44 pm
Actually Craig, if I recall they did both. First they used it in textiles to make hemp weave mats & rugs that they in turn used to roll big fattys. True story.
January 30th, 2009 on 7:37 am
I would smoke some if they legalized it. I don’t know if I could wear hemp clothes though until the hemp clothing industry got some good fashion designers. I am sure you are all aware of my love affair with fashion.
-l.smith
p.s. enslaving Sousa, what the hell is that.