The United States of America was, for the first 75 years of its existence, led by men who farmed hemp. But America would enter its third century, 1n 1976, with commercial hemp banned and marijuana the central battlefield of a federal “War on Drugs.”

As of early 2014, an incumbent U.S. President and two predecessors have fessed up to smoking cannabis, and even dour Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has become an advocate of legalizing hemp for commercial use.

Here is a rundown of what our Presidents — including Nos. 1 and 44 — have said about hemp and marijuana, along with well-known aspirants for the job.









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Photo: HD / WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOC. Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Image 2 of 14 George Washington: "Make the most of the Indian hemp seed and sew it everywhere." The "Father of Our Country" raised hemp. On another occasion, Washington wrote in his diary: "Began to separate the Male from Female hemp of Do.& -- rather too late." less George Washington: "Make the most of the Indian hemp seed and sew it everywhere." The "Father of Our Country" raised hemp. On another occasion, Washington wrote in his diary: "Began to ... more Photo: Anonymous / Associated Press Image 3 of 14 Ronald Reagan: "I now have absolute proof that smoking even one marijuana cigarette is the equal in brain damager to being on Bikini Island during an H-bomb blast. Bikini Island, in the South Pacific, was a center of U.S. atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons. Reagan prosecuted the "War on Drugs" and first lady Nancy Reagan championed an anti-drug campaign with the moniker: "Just say no." (AP) less Ronald Reagan: "I now have absolute proof that smoking even one marijuana cigarette is the equal in brain damager to being on Bikini Island during an H-bomb blast. Bikini Island, in the ... more Photo: Ron Edmonds / Associated Press Image 4 of 14 Richard Nixon: "You see, homosexuality, dope, immorality in general: These are the enemies of strong societies. That's why the Communists and left wingers are pushing the stuff. They're trying to destroy us." In a particularly vicious White House tape, Nixon told chief of staff H.R. Haldeman: "I see another thing in the news summary this morning about it. That's a funny thing, every one of those bastards who are out for legalizing marijuana is Jewish. What the Christ is the matter with the Jews, Bob, what is the matter with them? I suppose it's because most of them are psychiatrists." (AP) less Richard Nixon: "You see, homosexuality, dope, immorality in general: These are the enemies of strong societies. That's why the Communists and left wingers are pushing the stuff. They're trying to ... more Photo: Nick Ut / AP Image 5 of 14 Image 6 of 14 Bill Clinton: "When I was in England, I experimented with marijuana a time or two, and I didn't like it, and I didn't inhale, and I never tried it again." Long before the phrase "going viral" was in the nation's vocabulary, Clinton's remark did just that. It became Exhibit A for those arguing in the 1992 that the Arkansas Governor could not be trusted. (Getty) less Bill Clinton: "When I was in England, I experimented with marijuana a time or two, and I didn't like it, and I didn't inhale, and I never tried it again." Long before the phrase "going ... more Photo: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images Image 7 of 14 Barack Obama: "When I was a kid, I inhaled frequently: That was the point." Obama was part of a group that called itself the "Choom Gang" at Punahou School in Honolulu, the verb Choom meaning "to smoke marijuana." In a just-published interview with New Yorker editor David Remnick, Obama says of marijuana smoking: "I view it as a bad habit and a vice, not very different from the cigarettes that I smoked as a young person up through a big chunk of my adult life. I don't think it is more dangerous than alcohol." (Getty) less Barack Obama: "When I was a kid, I inhaled frequently: That was the point." Obama was part of a group that called itself the "Choom Gang" at Punahou School in Honolulu, the verb Choom meaning "to ... more Photo: Mark Wilson / Getty Images Image 8 of 14 George W. Bush: "I wouldn't answer the marijuana questions. You know why? Because I don't want some little kid doing what I tried." The 43rd President has fessed up to having a drinking problem in his past, once even challenging his father -- the 41st President -- to a fistfight. He has, however, refused to talk about drug use during what Bush once called his "nomadic period." (AP) less George W. Bush: "I wouldn't answer the marijuana questions. You know why? Because I don't want some little kid doing what I tried." The 43rd President has fessed up to having a drinking ... more Photo: LM Otero / Associated Press Image 9 of 14 Jimmy Carter: "Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug; and where they are, they should be changed." Carter made that appeal 37 years ago. The recognition of its common sense has been slow to come. (AP) less Jimmy Carter: "Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug; and where they are, they should be changed." Carter made that ... more Photo: KEVIN P. CASEY / AP Image 10 of 14 Image 11 of 14 Our nation's vice presidents and presidential candidates have been heard on the subject: Spiro Agnew, Nixon's later-disgraced vice president, wanted the Federal Communications Commission to crack down on playing of songs with supposed drug lyrics. Targets included The Byrds' "Eight Miles High," Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit," and Brewer & Shipley's "One Toke Over the Line." less Our nation's vice presidents and presidential candidates have been heard on the subject: Spiro Agnew, Nixon's later-disgraced vice president, wanted the Federal Communications Commission to ... more Photo: Associated Press Image 12 of 14 Al Gore fessed up to years of marijuana smoking when he first ran for president in 1988, saying: "I smoked pot in college and in the Army." Gore seethed when reporters and fellow Baby Boomers asked him how long, how often and when he quit. He and wife Tipper apparently gave up the habit when he was elected to Congress in 1976. (Getty) less Al Gore fessed up to years of marijuana smoking when he first ran for president in 1988, saying: "I smoked pot in college and in the Army." Gore seethed when reporters and fellow Baby ... more Photo: Chris Jackson / Getty Images Image 13 of 14 John Kerry, during the 2004 Iowa caucuses, watched singer Peter Yarrow perform the 1960's hit, "Puff the Magic Dragon." Kerry mimicked the gesture of taking a toke on a joint. The senator's media aides were nervous the gesture would become controversial. (AP) less John Kerry, during the 2004 Iowa caucuses, watched singer Peter Yarrow perform the 1960's hit, "Puff the Magic Dragon." Kerry mimicked the gesture of taking a toke on a joint. The senator's media ... more Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press Image 14 of 14 Marijuana, hemp and America's presidents: In their words 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

Oh yes, despite their epic feud over the shape of American federalism, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams did agree on one topic — the value of hemp.

“We should, by and by, want a world of hemp, more for our own consumption,” said America’s 2nd President. Richard Nixon would have been on him for trying to degrade a nation’s morals.