In today’s times, “hemp” is often viewed as synonymous with “marijuana.” In fact, while the two are closely related as members of the cannabis genus, their uses can be very different. The useful parts of the marijuana plant are generally limited recreational or medicinal use of the flower. The hemp plant, on the other hand, is wholly useful for a variety of items from food products to dry goods. The whole plant has value – from seed to stalk. In fact, hemp as a fiber material was once one of America’s most valued crops.
Hemp is thought to be the first domestically-cultivated plant, with evidence of hemp fabric dating to 8,000 years ago found in Turkey. Hemp arrived in Colonial America with the Puritans as seed for planting and as fiber used to build the lines and sails of the Mayflower. It was chosen for ships because it is naturally resistant to mold, decay and UV radiation (although they likely didn’t know that last fact at the time!) Hemp fiber is one of the strongest and most durable of all natural textile fibers. Not only is hemp strong, but it also holds its shape, stretching less than any other natural fiber.
Hemp is an extremely fast growing crop
Hemp’s Historical Importance
Hemp once produced more fiber per acre than any other source. It yielded 250% more fiber than cotton and 600% more fiber than flax on the same amount of land. By the mid-1600s, Americans were making cloth, canvas, sacks, and paper from hemp. The first drafts of the Declaration of Independence were written on hemp paper, and Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag with hemp. Hemp was so vital that farmers were legally required to grow it and could even pay their taxes with it. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew hemp, with Jefferson inventing equipment to improve fiber processing.
Decline Due to Politics and Trade
Hemp’s use as a fiber crop diminished due to political and trade factors. The 1937 Marijuana Tax Act regulated cannabis, including hemp, under the Department of Revenue, which required licenses for hemp growers. The 1950s saw the rise of cheap synthetic fibers from China and India, which, despite being inferior in quality and longevity, were far cheaper.
World War II and the Revival Effort
World War II spurred a brief revival in American hemp production. The USDA’s Hemp for Victory campaign encouraged farmers to grow hemp again and led to new hemp processing plants. However, the project was cut short by the end of the war, leaving many farmers with incomplete plants and canceled contracts. By 1958, the U.S. had processed its last significant hemp crop.
Modern Resurgence
The early 1990s saw a renewed interest in industrial hemp cultivation in the U.S. Today, 30 states support hemp growth in various forms. The global hemp market now features over 25,000 products, with U.S. sales exceeding $580 million annually.