The War on Drugs and How It Killed Hemp
https://www.thehemptheory.com/
The War on Drugs is a story most associate with crackdowns on marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. But buried within this decades-long campaign is a lesser-known casualty: hemp. Once a vital resource, hemp was systematically linked to marijuana in the 20th century, a move that suppressed a sustainable crop with vast potential.
At The Hemp Theory, we’re here to reveal the untold story of how the War on Drugs became a tool to stifle hemp production and why that matters to us in the UK as we revive this crop for a sustainable future.
Hemp’s Early Importance: A Vital Resource in Britain
In Britain, hemp was once a critical crop, especially during the era of maritime exploration. As early as the 16th century, hemp was cultivated extensively for ropes, sails, and clothing. By the reign of Henry VIII, British farmers were required by law to grow hemp, and under Queen Elizabeth I, this mandate was strengthened to support the naval fleet.
Hemp provided Britain with durable, renewable materials that supported its expansion as a global power. Yet, despite its value, the crop’s future was sealed when, across the Atlantic, powerful industries began to threaten its survival.
A Threat to Emerging Industries: The Rise of Cotton, Timber, and Synthetics
The Industrial Revolution brought a shift in demand from natural fibres like hemp to synthetic and cotton-based alternatives. Cotton, which relies on pesticides and intensive labour, became a dominant material in the textiles industry, bolstered by new machinery and cheap colonial labour. Meanwhile, the timber industry gained traction, with paper and pulp manufacturers profiting from large-scale deforestation.
As if this wasn’t enough, the petroleum industry was on the rise, fuelling synthetic materials like nylon and plastic. Hemp’s environmental benefits and versatility made it a threat to these growing industries. But they couldn’t simply outcompete it — hemp was too sustainable, too efficient, and too deeply ingrained in global economies. To truly eliminate hemp, these industries needed more than just business strategies; they needed a public relations campaign.
The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937: A Strategic Strike Against Hemp
In the United States, hemp and marijuana were deliberately entangled through the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, a move spearheaded by industrialists like William Randolph Hearst, who owned vast timber holdings, and the DuPont family, who were heavily invested in synthetic fibres. Hearst used his newspaper empire to spread fear about “reefer madness,” fuelling the association of hemp with marijuana and criminal behaviour.
The Marihuana Tax Act imposed heavy taxes on all cannabis, including hemp. Though it wasn’t an outright ban, the tax made it near impossible for farmers to continue cultivating hemp at profitable levels. The hemp industry shrank dramatically, and within a few short years, the crop was nearly wiped out from American fields.
The Global Impact: Hemp’s Decline in Britain
The repercussions of the Marihuana Tax Act rippled across the world, impacting Britain and Europe. As the United States leaned on allies to adopt similar anti-cannabis stances, hemp production in the UK saw a steep decline. Britain’s once-thriving hemp industry faded, pushed out by the rise of synthetic fibres and cotton imports. Hemp, a crop that had once played a pivotal role in British agriculture and trade, became a relic of the past.
This was no accident. The industries that benefitted from hemp’s decline — the timber barons, the cotton growers, the petrochemical giants — had succeeded in pushing it out of the market. And the War on Drugs, with its demonisation of cannabis, gave them the perfect vehicle to ensure hemp remained off the table.
The Role of Propaganda: The Demonisation of Hemp
The association of hemp with marijuana was carefully crafted through propaganda. In the UK and the US, media painted cannabis as a dangerous, mind-altering drug that needed to be eradicated. The line between marijuana and industrial hemp was blurred intentionally, and hemp’s practical applications were lost amid the fear-mongering.
Films like Reefer Madness portrayed cannabis users as violent and mentally unstable, embedding fear in the public psyche. For the average person, there was no distinction between hemp and marijuana. Both were vilified, both became symbols of social decay. In the UK, this association took hold, stalling any meaningful discussion on hemp’s potential as a sustainable crop.
The Missed Potential: Hemp as a Solution for a Modern World
With hemp production all but erased, the world missed out on what could have been a pivotal solution for sustainable resources. Hemp’s versatility extends far beyond textiles; it can be used in bioplastics, construction materials, food, and medicine. Its rapid growth and minimal environmental impact make it a prime candidate for eco-friendly industries. Hemp absorbs more CO₂ than most trees, regenerates soil, and requires fewer pesticides and less water than cotton.
But the War on Drugs, fuelled by powerful lobbies and intentional misinformation, ensured that hemp would remain forgotten. Industries that thrive on environmental degradation and cheap, disposable materials would continue to dominate.
Reviving Hemp in the UK: The Hemp Theory’s Mission
The War on Drugs killed hemp once, but we’re determined it won’t happen again. At The Hemp Theory, we see the potential hemp holds — not just as a material, but as a movement. We’re on a mission to revive this crop in Britain, advocating for policy changes, sustainable practices, and a market that values quality over profit.
Reviving hemp isn’t just about reclaiming a lost crop; it’s about challenging the systems that buried it. We’re committed to proving that hemp can be a cornerstone of sustainable industries across fashion, food, construction, and beyond.
Conclusion: A New Era for Hemp
The War on Drugs may have succeeded in suppressing hemp for decades, but its time is now. The Hemp Theory is here to lead the charge, reconnecting Britain with its rich heritage of hemp production and paving the way for a sustainable future. The industry giants that buried hemp can no longer hold it back.
Join us as we bring hemp back into the spotlight, where it belongs. Together, we can reclaim this miracle crop, rebuild a sustainable world, and challenge the status quo that once buried hemp. The War on Drugs may have killed hemp, but we’re here to bring it back stronger than ever.