Our country owes a lot to cannabis sativa and its many varieties. From the stalks and seeds that produce fiber and food to the resinous trichomes that deliver THC, it’s truly an American treasure. Despite the 80-year Federal ban on cannabis, the plant is deeply rooted in our history and helped form the backbone of our nation.

As we celebrate Independence Day with tasty BBQ and good friends, let’s take a moment to appreciate the role cannabis has played in shaping the history and culture of America. And how it will continue to be a part of our quest for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Hemp Helped Build the Foundation for America

Hemp is a variety of cannabis sativa, and one of the oldest domesticated crops ever planted. The American history of hemp and its connection to our country’s birth starts back in the American colonies of the 1600s. Hemp produced so many essential products in the New World that legislation was drafted which required every farmer to grow it as part of their patriotic duty. Hemp was considered legal tender in the colonies, and could even be used to pay taxes!

Our founding fathers had a personal understanding of the power of hemp. Thomas Jefferson and George Washington both frequently wrote about the glories of the crop and cultivated hemp on their private farms. Benjamin Franklin himself built the first hemp papermill to free colonists from depending on highly taxed British paper, moving us further towards becoming an independent nation.

Hemp Helped Us Win Our Independence

Hemp was there to lend a hand during the Revolutionary War. It was used to make sails, ropes, and hull caulking for our warships, and provided clothing and food to the soldiers and colonists. And while the final document declaring our independence from Great Britain was printed on parchment made of animal skin, the first two drafts were composed on hemp paper.

Even Old Glory has roots in the cannabis plant. The original American flag bearing 13 stars was hand sewn by Betsy Ross from fabric woven with hemp fibers. Because of its strength and durability, many of America’s early flags were sewn from hemp cloth. While most flags are made from nylon or polyester today, a hemp flag was flown over the Nation’s Capital on July 4th, 2013 for the first time in over 80 years.

Cannabis Helps Those Who Have Served Our Country

As American men and women are still sent off to fight for our freedom, many of the wounds they suffer are in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder. There is overwhelming evidence that medical cannabis can bring relief to veterans who are fighting mental health battles, and it has already helped thousands of veterans get back to living a healthy life.

The American Legion, the largest veteran organization, is diligently working on getting medical cannabis approved for veterans across the country. What could be more patriotic than a plant that helps veterans?

The Battle Against Prohibition

Despite the fantastic history of hemp in America, cannabis in all forms became illegal in 1937. Prohibition was established on a campaign of misinformation — not what our founding fathers had in mind when they dreamed about the future of this country.

Courtesy of The Herer Group

Fortunately, activists have worked diligently to change the laws and get us back to our cannabis roots. Many states have now passed legislation allowing citizens to access cannabis, and industrial hemp can once again legally flourish on our nation’s farmland.

One of those hard-working activists was the legendary Jack Herer. He made it his patriotic duty to spend his life fighting for our freedom to medicate with cannabis and to access industrial hemp. The Herer Group created The Original Jack HererTM to honor his life’s work and provide premium artisanal cannabis from family farms in California.

The company works with activists and charities to continue Jack’s mission and was proud to recently take home two first-place wins for The Original Jack HererTM products.

Food, friends, fireworks, and premium cannabis. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate America’s birthday, can you? Take a moment today to appreciate everything the cannabis plant has done for our country, and look forward to a future where everyone has the freedom to access its benefits.

Happy 4th of July!