Why Was Hemp Made Illegal?

One of the questions we hear most at Hempies is whether hemp is legal or not. This is a valid question, considering the controversy woven into hemp's history and its evolving legal status. How did this incredibly versatile and eco-friendly plant come to be vilified and prohibited? The tale is so wild it could easily be a blockbuster movie.

Hemp has been cultivated for thousands of years, valued for its strong fibres, nutritious seeds, and medicinal properties. Yet, in the 20th century, it faced widespread prohibition. To understand the reasons behind this drastic shift, we must dive into a tangled web of politics, racism, and misinformation.

Hemp vs. Marijuana: A Misunderstanding

First, let's clarify the distinction between hemp and marijuana. Both originate from the Cannabis sativa plant species, which can cause confusion due to their shared lineage. However, hemp contains negligible amounts of THC—the psychoactive compound that makes marijuana intoxicating. Despite this crucial difference, hemp often found itself unjustly tied to marijuana, a misconception that contributed significantly to its downfall.

The Role of Racism and Misinformation

In the early 20th century, the United States and much of the Western world, including Australia, were heavily influenced by racial tensions and anti-immigrant sentiment. The growing use of marijuana was associated with minority groups, particularly Mexican and African American communities in the U.S. Media and political figures began spreading fear and misinformation (as hard as that may be to believe), painting cannabis as a dangerous drug that led to crime and moral decay.

This propaganda-driven fear spilled over into perceptions of hemp, even though the plant can't be used as a drug. In the 1930s, a man named William Randolph Hearst, a powerful newspaper magnate, used his media empire to demonise cannabis. His newspapers ran sensationalised stories that exaggerated the dangers of marijuana, and by extension, hemp. Hearst had his own financial interests in mind, as we shall explore further below.

Economic Interests and Corporate Competition

Beyond the racial and social fears, there were significant economic motivations for the hemp ban. In the early 20th century, hemp was seen as a major competitor to various industries, particularly the emerging synthetic fibres and paper industries.

The Paper Industry:
One of the most notorious figures behind the hemp ban was the previously mentioned William Randolph Hearst. Hearst owned vast timber forests and paper mills and was heavily invested in wood pulp production for his newspapers. Hemp, which can be used to produce high-quality, durable paper with fewer chemicals, posed a direct threat to his business. As a result, Hearst had a vested interest in promoting the demonisation of hemp.

The Petroleum and Plastic Industry:
The rise of petroleum-based products and synthetic fibres like nylon also played a role. Dupont, a chemical company that had just patented nylon in the 1930s, saw hemp as a threat to its new product. Nylon was touted as a revolutionary synthetic fibre, but hemp, with its natural strength and durability, could have overshadowed it in many applications, including rope, textiles, and other industrial materials.

The Pharmaceutical Industry:
Hemp's medicinal properties also posed a threat to the burgeoning pharmaceutical industry. Natural remedies derived from hemp and cannabis were widely used before the rise of synthetic drugs. However, pharmaceutical companies, keen to promote their chemical-based treatments, stood to profit from suppressing plant-based alternatives.

The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937

The culmination of these "efforts" came in the form of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 in the United States. While the act primarily targeted marijuana, it also placed stringent regulations and taxes on hemp cultivation. Despite the fact that hemp is a harmless industrial crop, it became collateral damage in the wider effort to demonise cannabis.

By imposing excessive taxes and bureaucracy on hemp farmers, the act effectively crippled the industry. Many countries, including Australia, followed suit, adopting similar prohibitive measures.

World War II and Hemp’s Brief Revival

Interestingly, during World War II, the U.S. government reversed its stance temporarily with the "Hemp for Victory" campaign, encouraging farmers to grow hemp to support the war effort. Hemp was used for everything from rope and uniforms to parachutes and ship rigging. This brief revival, however, ended after the war, and the prohibition of continued. Makes sense, right?

The 20th Century: Global Hemp Prohibition

Following the U.S.'s lead, many countries around the world banned hemp along with marijuana, despite the clear differences between the two. In Australia, the cultivation of hemp became heavily restricted in the 1930s, and it wasn’t until the late 20th and early 21st century that the stigma around hemp began to lift.

A Changing Tide: Hemp’s Modern-Day Comeback

In recent decades, the world has begun to re-examine hemp’s potential. The environmental benefits of hemp, combined with a growing desire for sustainable alternatives to synthetic fibres and materials, have led to the gradual relaxation of hemp laws across the globe.

Environmental Benefits: Hemp requires minimal water and no pesticides, and it can be grown in a wide range of climates, making it an ideal crop for sustainable agriculture. It also absorbs more carbon dioxide per hectare than most other crops, contributing to the fight against climate change.

Versatility: Hemp can be used for textiles, building materials, biofuel, food, and even plastic alternatives. Its fibres are stronger and more durable than cotton, while its seeds are highly nutritious, making it one of the most versatile crops on the planet.

Hemp in Australia Today

Australia is once again recognising the immense potential of hemp. In 2017, the country legalised the sale of hemp seeds for human consumption, acknowledging the crop's significant nutritional value. Furthermore, industrial hemp farming is now permitted under strict regulations, allowing Australian farmers to cultivate a sustainable and environmentally friendly crop that is also economically viable. However, this resurgence is not without its challenges.

The prohibition of hemp in the past was driven not by science or logic, but rather by a combination of economic interests, racism, and misinformation. Thankfully, we are witnessing a renaissance of this promising plant, and at Hempies, we are excited to be at the forefront of this movement.

The future for hemp looks bright, but education remains a cornerstone of progress. By sharing this post, you can help spread the conversation and contribute to a greater understanding of hemp’s benefits.