At first glance, Big Oil and Big Pharma might seem like completely separate industries. One fuels our vehicles and the other fuels our bodies. But these two giants share more than just a drive for profit — they share a common history of suppressing a crop that could have threatened their control. Hemp, a sustainable, versatile, and renewable resource, was once a major player in agriculture. Yet today, it’s rarely seen in mainstream industries. So, what happened?
To answer that, we need to look at how Big Oil and Big Pharma joined forces to bury hemp’s potential, a move that preserved their dominance but cost the world a sustainable solution.
Hemp’s Threat to Big Oil: The Biofuel That Could Have Been
Hemp’s potential as a source of biofuel was recognised as early as the 1900s. Hemp oil is easy to produce, burns cleanly, and grows much faster than trees or other biofuel crops. It was an ideal candidate for sustainable fuel.
In fact, Henry Ford himself explored the use of hemp for his cars. He developed a prototype vehicle in the 1940s with a body made partly from hemp composite and designed to run on hemp biofuel. Ford understood that sustainable agriculture could play a role in keeping America running, but this vision ran directly against the interests of the oil industry.
By the early 20th century, Big Oil was deeply invested in a world dependent on fossil fuels. Millions had been poured into drilling, refining, and distributing oil. An energy shift towards hemp biofuel would have put these investments in jeopardy. So, oil giants took steps to ensure that a viable competitor like hemp would never have a chance to rise. They launched campaigns linking hemp to marijuana, stoking fears and promoting misinformation. The result? Policies and regulations that sidelined hemp and ensured oil remained the dominant fuel source.
Big Pharma’s Fear of Natural Remedies
While Big Oil was focused on controlling fuel, Big Pharma had its own reasons to fear hemp. This plant holds natural compounds like cannabidiol (CBD), known for its potential to relieve pain, reduce anxiety, and manage inflammation without the side effects often associated with synthetic drugs.
The pharmaceutical industry had (and still has) little incentive to support natural remedies when patented synthetic drugs are far more profitable. Natural products like CBD can’t be patented in the same way, and their widespread use could reduce dependence on pharmaceutical solutions for conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and sleep disorders. If hemp-derived treatments had become the standard, Big Pharma would have faced a massive loss of market share.
So, they took a familiar approach. By backing campaigns that painted hemp as a dangerous substance, Big Pharma aligned with Big Oil to protect its interests. Together, they fuelled the stigma surrounding cannabis, helping push through policies that didn’t distinguish between industrial hemp and psychoactive marijuana.
The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937: The Nail in the Coffin
The turning point came in 1937 with the Marihuana Tax Act in the United States. This legislation was the result of intense lobbying by figures like Andrew Mellon, who held significant stakes in oil and pharmaceuticals, and William Randolph Hearst, a media mogul with interests in the timber industry. These powerful men understood that if hemp were widely adopted, it could disrupt their wealth.
The Marihuana Tax Act classified all cannabis, including hemp, under the same umbrella, imposing high taxes and heavy restrictions that made it nearly impossible to cultivate. While the act didn’t explicitly ban hemp, it lumped it together with psychoactive marijuana, effectively suffocating the industry. Hemp farmers, faced with regulatory roadblocks and public stigma, abandoned the crop.
In Britain and Europe, similar policies followed. As the United States cracked down on hemp, other Western nations fell in line, adopting similar anti-hemp stances. A crop that had once fuelled economies and sustained industries vanished almost overnight.
The Role of Media and Misinformation
Big Oil and Big Pharma didn’t just rely on legislation — they understood the power of public perception. They leveraged media to spread fear and misinformation, ensuring the public viewed all cannabis as a dangerous drug. Films like Reefer Madness painted marijuana as a substance that led to violence and psychosis, with no distinction made between marijuana and industrial hemp.
Hearst used his newspapers to spread fear, running sensationalist headlines that furthered the anti-hemp agenda. The line between marijuana and industrial hemp became blurred, cementing hemp’s image as a dangerous plant. Public support for hemp dwindled, paving the way for Big Oil and Big Pharma to maintain their hold on fuel and medicine.
The Consequences: A Lost Opportunity for Sustainable Progress
The suppression of hemp was more than just an economic move; it was an environmental and social setback. Hemp could have become a cornerstone of sustainable industries:
Biofuel: A renewable, clean-burning alternative to fossil fuels.
Medicine: Natural, affordable remedies for conditions like pain and anxiety.
Plastics: Hemp-based bioplastics that decompose naturally, unlike petroleum-based plastics.
Fashion: Durable, eco-friendly fibres that require minimal water and no pesticides.
Instead, society became dependent on oil and synthetic drugs, with devastating consequences for the planet and public health. We lost a natural resource that could have reduced pollution, cut emissions, and provided affordable healthcare alternatives.
A New Era for Hemp: Reclaiming What Was Lost
While Big Oil and Big Pharma may have delayed hemp’s progress, they didn’t erase it entirely. Today, we’re seeing a renewed interest in hemp as people become more aware of its benefits and the costs of relying on fossil fuels and pharmaceuticals. The rise of sustainable fashion, plant-based medicine, and biodegradable products has brought hemp back into the conversation.
At The Hemp Theory, we’re committed to bringing this miracle crop back to the forefront. Hemp isn’t just a product; it’s a movement that challenges the profit-driven agenda of those who suppressed it. We’re here to educate, innovate, and lead the way in building a future where hemp can finally fulfil its potential.
The Future of Hemp Is Now
The collusion between Big Oil and Big Pharma may have kept hemp in the shadows, but it’s a new era. People are questioning the systems that prioritised profits over the planet, and they’re looking for sustainable alternatives.
As we revive hemp, we’re not just restoring a crop — we’re challenging a legacy of control, misinformation, and environmental neglect. The Hemp Theory is here to lead this journey, building a future that values sustainability, health, and integrity. Join us as we reclaim hemp’s legacy and create a world where its benefits are accessible to all.