George Washington's agricultural records reveal he was an avid hemp farmer at Mount Vernon, his Virginia estate. But before jumping to conclusions, it's important to understand what hemp meant in 18th-century America.

Hemp was one of colonial America's most valuable crops. Washington grew it alongside wheat and corn, meticulously documenting his harvests in diary entries. His hemp went into making rope, canvas for sails, clothing, and paper—all essential materials for a new nation building its infrastructure and naval power.

Not All Cannabis Is Created Equal

Hemp and marijuana are both varieties of Cannabis sativa, but they're as different as wolves and chihuahuas. Hemp contains minimal THC (the psychoactive compound in marijuana) and was cultivated specifically for its strong fibers. Washington's records show purely agricultural interest: planting schedules, harvest yields, and processing methods for fiber production.

The Founding Father was running a business, not a dispensary.

Why Hemp Mattered

Naval supremacy: Hemp rope and canvas were critical for ships
Textiles: Hemp fabric was durable and widely used for clothing
Paper: The Declaration of Independence's first drafts were written on hemp paper
Economic value: Britain required colonies to grow hemp for the Royal Navy

Washington even bred hemp plants to produce better fibers, separating male and female plants to optimize fiber quality. Some have speculated this shows interest in higher THC content, but historians note this was standard practice for any farmer wanting stronger fibers—males die after pollination, leaving females to grow taller and produce better material.

The Modern Confusion

The myth that Washington "grew marijuana" emerged from cultural wishful thinking and linguistic confusion. In his era, the word marijuana didn't exist—it's a 20th-century term. Washington simply grew what every practical farmer grew: a useful industrial crop that happened to be cannabis.

Mount Vernon's historical team has found zero evidence Washington used or grew hemp for any medicinal or recreational purpose. He was a businessman maximizing his plantation's output, and hemp was profitable, legal, and patriotic.

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