Omar Bennett
It is a widely circulated rumour that some of the Founding Fathers, including Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and James Madison, smoked marijuana, or pot. However, there is little evidence to support these claims. While it is true that they cultivated hemp on their plantations, the hemp grown at the time had very low levels of THC, the active ingredient that causes euphoria, so it is unlikely that they experienced any psychoactive effects from smoking it. Furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that Jefferson, who is most often associated with the habit, ever smoked anything, including tobacco. While some have pointed to references in Jefferson's farm book to separating male and female hemp plants as evidence of cultivation for recreational smoking, Monticello has stated that no such reference exists in Jefferson's farm book or any other document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Whether the men who wrote the Constitution smoked pot | Unclear, but unlikely |
| Whether Thomas Jefferson smoked pot | Unlikely |
| Whether Thomas Jefferson grew marijuana | Unlikely |
| Whether Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on hemp paper | False |
| Whether the Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper | False |
| Whether hemp was used medicinally or recreationally in the early post-colonial period | No evidence |
| Whether hemp was smoked for pleasure in the 18th century | Unlikely, due to low THC levels |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, is rumoured to have smoked pot
- Jefferson, George Washington and James Madison cultivated weed on their plantations
- Washington and Jefferson corresponded about the virtues of smoking hemp
- James Madison credited hemp for his insights in creating a new democratic nation
- The founding fathers likely didn't experience euphoria from smoking hemp due to low THC levels
Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, is rumoured to have smoked pot
Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, is rumoured to have smoked pot. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. A popular quote attributed to Jefferson, "Some of my finest hours have been spent on my back veranda, smoking hemp and observing as far as my eye can see," is actually a hoax that first appeared on the internet in 2008 and was later printed in 2013.
While it is true that Jefferson may have raised hemp, there is no reliable source confirming that he smoked it. Monticello, an organisation devoted to Jefferson, stated that there is no evidence to suggest that Jefferson was a habitual smoker of "hemp, tobacco, or any other substance." They also refuted the claim that Jefferson's farm book contained references to separating male and female hemp plants for recreational smoking purposes, stating that no such reference exists.
However, it is worth noting that Jefferson did recognise the importance of hemp. The quote, "Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth and protection of the country," is often misattributed to him. The actual quote, "A Fact well established in the System of Agriculture is that the best Hemp and the best Tobacco grow on the same Kind of Soil. The former Article is of first Necessity to the Commerce and Marine in other Words to the Wealth and Protection of the Country," was written by Gouverneur Morris, a founding father, and addressed to Jefferson.
Jefferson also corresponded with George Washington about the virtues of smoking hemp, and they are said to have traded parcels of it as gestures of friendship. Additionally, James Madison, another founding father, remarked that hemp was crucial to his insights in creating a new and democratic nation. While the direct link between Jefferson and smoking pot remains unsubstantiated, his association with hemp and its cultural significance among the founding fathers is an intriguing aspect of American history.
The Vice President's Key Roles and Responsibilities
You may want to see also
Jefferson, George Washington and James Madison cultivated weed on their plantations
Although it is widely believed that Jefferson, George Washington, and James Madison cultivated weed on their plantations, there is no concrete evidence to support these claims.
Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, was rumoured to have grown and smoked marijuana. It is said that he drafted the Declaration of Independence on hemp paper and grew hemp on his plantation. However, these claims have been disputed, and there is no evidence to suggest that Jefferson was a habitual smoker of any substance. It is important to note that Jefferson did advocate for hemp, recognising its utility and potential. Additionally, while Jefferson did receive a letter containing the quote, "Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth and protection of the country," the quote was actually written by Gouverneur Morris, not Jefferson himself.
George Washington, the first President, also grew hemp on his plantation, Mount Vernon. Slaves cultivated an industrial form of hemp with very low THC content, which Washington used for rope on his fishing boats. Like Jefferson, Washington recognised the value of hemp and cultivated it as a cash crop.
James Madison, the fourth President and "Father of the Constitution," was also a hemp farmer. Madison claimed that hemp gave him the insight to create a new democratic nation. However, there is no evidence to suggest that he smoked hemp, and the rumour that the Constitution was written on hemp paper has been debunked by historians.
While it is clear that these influential men cultivated hemp, there is no definitive proof that they smoked it or used it for recreational purposes. The low THC content of the hemp they grew suggests that even if they did attempt to smoke it, they would not have experienced euphoria.
Constitution and Colonists: Did It Achieve Their Ideals?
You may want to see also
Washington and Jefferson corresponded about the virtues of smoking hemp
While it is rumoured that Thomas Jefferson smoked hemp, there is no evidence to support this claim. Monticello, an organisation devoted to the U.S. Constitution, noted that if Jefferson or others at the time did attempt smoking hemp, they likely didn't experience euphoria because of its low levels of THC. Monticello also stated that there is no evidence to suggest that Jefferson was a habitual smoker of "hemp, tobacco, or any other substance".
Some have pointed to a supposed reference in Jefferson's farm book to separating male and female hemp plants as evidence that he was cultivating it for recreational smoking purposes. However, Monticello refutes this claim, stating that no such reference exists in Jefferson's farm book or any other document.
The rumour that Jefferson smoked hemp gained traction due to a misattributed quote: "Some of my finest hours have been spent on my back veranda, smoking hemp and observing as far as my eye can see". This quote, which was reportedly an internet hoax that first appeared in 2008 and was first printed in 2013, has been repeated by various news outlets and individuals, including U.S. presidential candidate Gary Johnson. However, reliable sources indicate that Jefferson was not the source of this phrase, and it is considered a modern invention.
While Jefferson himself may not have smoked hemp, he did grow it, and he recognised its importance, as evidenced by the quote: "Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth and protection of the country". This quote, found in the national archived Jefferson papers, highlights Jefferson's understanding of the crop's significance in agriculture and commerce.
George Washington, another prominent figure in American history, also recognised the importance of hemp. In his diary, Washington recorded the practice of separating hemp, noting: "Began to separate the Male from the Female hemp at Do.&—rather too late." This knowledge of hemp cultivation further underscores the crop's significance during the founding years of the nation.
Representatives' Unique Powers: Exploring the House's Sole Authority
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Founding Fathers [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71f9-HsS5nL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
James Madison credited hemp for his insights in creating a new democratic nation
James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, is often credited with being the "Father of the Constitution" due to his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. Madison, born in 1751 in Virginia, came from a prominent slave-owning planter family. He grew up on his family's plantation, which was one of the largest in Virginia's Piedmont, with around 100 slaves and 5,000 acres of land.
Madison's association with hemp is a well-known aspect of his life. He was a hemp farmer and is said to have claimed that hemp gave him the insight to create a new democratic nation. It is rumoured that the Constitution was even written on hemp paper, although historians have debunked this theory. Madison's advocacy for hemp extended beyond personal use, as he corresponded with other farmers about hemp cultivation and trade, recognising its utility and potential.
The idea that Madison and other founding fathers were stoned when they conceived the idea of creating a new and democratic nation has been popularised by some sources. While it is true that Madison grew hemp and may have smoked it, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that he was under the influence of hemp or cannabis when drafting the Constitution.
Madison's beliefs about the potential of hemp may have been influenced by his broader political and economic philosophies. He strongly opposed British taxation and joined the Patriots in 1774. Madison believed in the capability of mankind to govern themselves, and his political faction stood in opposition to those who sought the establishment of an aristocratic monarchy or favoured the wealthy. These democratic ideals, combined with his recognition of hemp's value, may have contributed to his insights into creating a new democratic nation.
In conclusion, while James Madison's exact state of mind during the drafting of the Constitution may never be known, his association with hemp and his insights into creating a new democratic nation are intriguing aspects of his legacy.
Who Can Negotiate Treaties With Foreign Powers?
You may want to see also
The founding fathers likely didn't experience euphoria from smoking hemp due to low THC levels
While it is widely accepted that many of America's founding fathers supported the industrial use of hemp, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that they smoked hemp or cannabis for recreational purposes.
Thomas Jefferson, for instance, has often been rumoured to have grown and smoked marijuana, with some claiming that he drafted the Declaration of Independence on hemp paper. However, these claims have been debunked by Monticello, which stated that there is no evidence to suggest that Jefferson was a habitual smoker of "hemp, tobacco, or any other substance". Furthermore, the quote often attributed to Jefferson, "Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth and protection of the country", was actually written by Gouverneur Morris, a founding father, American statesman, and signatory to the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution.
Similarly, while George Washington and Thomas Jefferson are said to have corresponded about the virtues of smoking hemp and traded parcels of it as gestures of friendship, there is no definitive proof of this. It is also speculated that James Madison cultivated weed on his plantation and remarked that hemp helped him gain insights during the work of creating a new and democratic nation. However, these claims are not supported by substantial evidence.
Even if the founding fathers did attempt to smoke hemp, it is unlikely that they experienced euphoria or a "high" due to the low levels of THC in the hemp they grew. Feral hemp in the USA, which is descended from pre-ban industrial cannabis sativa, typically tests at around 1% THC by dry weight, with higher amounts of CBD. While CBD is psychoactive, it is non-intoxicating and does not produce the same euphoric effects as THC. Therefore, the idea that the founding fathers regularly smoked hemp for recreational or mind-altering purposes is unlikely, given the limited potential for euphoria from the hemp available at that time.
The Supremacy Clause: Understanding the US Constitution's Power Dynamic
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There is no evidence to suggest that the men who wrote the Constitution smoked pot. While it is widely accepted that many of America's founding fathers supported the industrial use of hemp, there is no evidence to suggest that they smoked it. Thomas Jefferson, for example, was very careful about his mental state and never smoked anything, including tobacco.
It is unlikely that Thomas Jefferson smoked pot. While there are rumors that he did, there is no evidence to support these claims.
If the founding fathers did smoke hemp, they likely didn't get high from it since the type of hemp they grew had very low levels of THC, the active ingredient that causes euphoria.
