The History of Hemp in America
Hemp is not new. What is new is the controversy around it. For most of American history, hemp was an everyday agricultural product. Understanding how it got from there to here helps explain why the CBD industry exists today.
Colonial America: Hemp as Essential Crop
Hemp was one of the first crops grown in colonial America. Virginia, Massachusetts, and Connecticut all passed laws requiring farmers to grow hemp. It was that important.
The reason was practical. Hemp fibers made rope, canvas, paper, and clothing. The word "canvas" actually comes from "cannabis" -- that is how fundamental hemp was to everyday materials.
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew hemp on their estates. It was documented in their farm records. Hemp was a cash crop and a strategic resource. The sails and ropes of the ships that built the American trade economy were made from hemp fiber.
The 1900s: The Shift Begins
In the early twentieth century, attitudes toward hemp began to change -- not because of hemp itself, but because of its close botanical relative: marijuana.
The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 effectively criminalized all forms of the plant, including hemp, by imposing heavy taxes and regulations on cultivation. The law did not distinguish between hemp (which has negligible THC) and marijuana (which has significant THC).
The act was driven by a combination of political pressure, media campaigns, and economic interests. Hemp farmers were caught in the crossfire of a debate that had little to do with their crop.
World War II: A Brief Revival
When World War II disrupted supply chains for imported fibers, the U.S. government reversed course. The "Hemp for Victory" campaign encouraged American farmers to grow hemp for the war effort. The military needed rope, canvas, and other fiber products that hemp provided.
After the war ended, the demand dropped and the restrictions returned. Hemp went back to being treated as a controlled substance, despite its minimal THC content.
1970: The Controlled Substances Act
The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classified all forms of the plant -- including hemp -- as a Schedule I substance. This put hemp in the same legal category as heroin and LSD.
For the next several decades, it was illegal to grow hemp in the United States, even for industrial or research purposes. American companies had to import hemp from other countries if they wanted to use it.
2014: The Farm Bill Cracks the Door
The 2014 Farm Bill created a pathway for hemp research. It allowed state departments of agriculture and universities to grow hemp under pilot programs, provided the THC content remained below 0.3%.
This was not full legalization, but it was the first time in decades that American hemp could be legally cultivated in a structured way. It laid the groundwork for what came next.
2018: The Farm Bill Opens the Door
The 2018 Farm Bill fully legalized hemp at the federal level. It removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, defined it as any part of the plant with less than 0.3% THC, and allowed it to be grown, processed, and sold commercially.
This law is the reason the CBD industry exists in its current form. It created a legal framework for hemp-derived products, including CBD oil, capsules, topicals, and gummies.
It also gave consumers access to a plant that humans have used for thousands of years -- a plant that was only made illegal in the twentieth century for reasons that had little to do with hemp itself.
Today: Hemp as Wellness
The American hemp industry is now a multi-billion dollar market. CBD products are the largest segment, used by millions of adults across the country for daily wellness support.
At Cross Country Wellness, we are part of this story. Founded in Las Vegas in 2020 by Jordan Bergsrud -- the Cannabis Activist of the Year for 2020 and 2021 -- our company exists because we believe everyone deserves access to lab-tested, zero-THC CBD at a fair price.
Hemp is not a trend. It is one of the oldest crops in human history, making a long-overdue return.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
About the Author
Jim Bergan is the co-founder of Cross Country Wellness with over 40 years of experience in the cannabis and hemp industry. A former golf professional, Jim spent years managing large-scale outdoor cannabis cultivation in Northern California's Emerald Triangle -- one of the most respected growing regions in the world. He now leads CCW's wholesale partnerships.
This article is for educational purposes. CBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.