The History of Hemp: From Everyday Use, to Prohibition, and Back Again

Hemp cultivation began around 8,000 B.C. in modern-day Taiwan. The plant conditioned the soil and absorbed excess water, preventing crops from rotting. Hemp’s tall stalks shaded crops and livestock. Its sprawling root system interlaced with the roots of other plants, giving them additional support. Hemp fiber is highly durable, and the plant produces up to four times as much fiber per acre as the pine tree.

The Chinese added clothing and shoes to the growing list of uses for hemp. They also included it in their diets after learning that it contains vitamins, protein, and essential fatty acids. These fats can be pressed from the plant to render oils and create salves.

By 2737 B.C., the Chinese had discovered medicinal properties of hemp. Emperor Shen-Nung made tea from the oily seeds of the plant that effectively treated pain. He applied hemp oil to the skin to heal rashes. Shen-Nung also treated rheumatoid arthritis, constipation, malaria, and female reproductive issues with the plant. People today use cannabinoids found in hemp, like CBD, to self-treat some of the same issues that Shen-Nung healed in ancient times.

Before the cultivation of cotton, hemp was the primary material for paper and clothing. It was so integral to society that King Henry VIII required hemp growth by law. It was grown in young America, and by the 1850s, it was widely prescribed to treat illnesses of the body and mind.