But not the kind you're thinking of...
Throughout his lifetime, George Washington cultivated hemp at Mount Vernon for industrial uses.
The fibers from hemp held excellent properties for the making of rope and sail canvas, which was
a major need in the age of the sailing ship. In addition, hemp fibers could be spun into thread for
clothing or, as indicated in Mount Vernon records, for use in repairing the large seine fishing nets
that Washington used in his fishing operation along the Potomac.
At one point in the 1760’s Washington considered whether hemp would be a more lucrative cash
At one point in the 1760’s Washington considered whether hemp would be a more lucrative cash
crop than tobacco but determined that wheat would be a better alternative. During the period when
he was considering hemp, he wrote to his agents in England in the hope of determining the costs
involved in production and shipping.
"I am very glad to hear that the Gardener has saved so much of the St. foin seed, and that of the India Hemp. Make the most you can of both, by sowing them again in drills. . . Let the ground be well prepared, and the Seed (St. loin) be sown in April. The Hemp may be sown any where. "
George Washington to William Pearce, 24 February 1794
Hemp Background and History
Hemp Rope - The American encyclopædia of commerce, manufactures, commercial law, and finance et. 1886
Hemp, Canabis sativa, a plant originally from central Asia, was cultivated with, and sometimes in place of flax, because its stem fibers are similar to those of flax.
By the seventeenth century, Russia, Latvia, and other countries around the Baltic Sea were the major producers of hemp, and it was from this area that Britain obtained its supply, a situation which left the English vulnerable during periods of military hostilities.
- Hemp made into rope was vital to navies worldwide.
- Hemp was also used to make a coarse linen cloth as well as sacking, and other rough materials.
- The oil extra of hemp seeds, like those of flax, were used in paints, varnishes, and soaps.
Washington's Use of Hemp
Although George Washington’s initial interest in hemp was to determine if it could be a viable cash crop, he proceeded to cultivate it just to meet the needs of his own plantation. Hemp was used at Mount Vernon for rope, thread for sewing sacks, canvas, and for repairing the seine nets used at the fisheries.
Washington’s diaries and farm reports indicate that hemp was cultivated at all his 5 farms, (Mansion House, River Farm, Dogue Run Farm, Muddy Hole Farm & Union Farm.) In February 1794, Washington wrote to his farm manager, William Pearce, “…I am very glad to hear that the Gardener has saved so much of the St Foin seed, and that of the India Hemp…Let the ground be well prepared and the Seed (St. Foin) be sown in April. The Hemp may be sown anywhere.
Cannabis sativa vs. Cannabis sativa indica
It must be noted that industrial hemp, Cannabis sativa, -- the kind that Washington grew -- is not the same strain of the plant as Cannabis sativa indica which is used as a drug (marijuana). Cannibis sativa (industrial use hemp) contains less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and therefore has no physical or psychological effects. Cannabis sativa indica grown for marijuana can contain 6% to 20% THC.
Therefore, there is no truth to the statement that George Washington was growing marijuana. His hemp crop was strictly the industrial strain needed for the production of rope, thread, canvas, and other industrial applications.
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