Malcolm Rivera
The US Constitution, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, are all housed in the National Archives and are written on parchment, which is prepared animal skin, typically sheepskin. However, it is widely believed that the original drafts of these documents were written on hemp paper, which was widely used at the time.
| Characteristics | Values |
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| Is the Constitution written on hemp? | It is an urban legend that the U.S. Constitution was written on hemp paper. The Constitution was written on parchment, which is a type of treated animal skin, typically sheepskin. However, it is likely that drafts of the document were written on paper made from hemp, as most paper during that period was made from hemp or flax and a mixture of recycled rags and cloth. |
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What You'll Learn
- The Constitution was written on parchment, not hemp paper
- The first and second drafts of the Declaration of Independence were written on hemp paper
- Hemp was widely used to make paper at the time
- The word marijuana or marihuana came about in the late 1890s
- The type of hemp grown at the time had very low levels of THC
The Constitution was written on parchment, not hemp paper
It is a common misconception that the US Constitution was written on hemp paper. In reality, the final version of the document, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, was written on parchment, which is a type of treated animal skin, typically sheepskin. The use of hemp paper in early drafts of these documents is a subject of debate, but it is likely that drafts of the Constitution were written on paper made from hemp, as it was a widely used material at the time.
The myth that the Constitution was written on hemp paper is often touted by those seeking to legalise marijuana for recreational use. However, the use of hemp as a fibre does not necessarily indicate that it should be legalised for recreational use. The word "marijuana" or "marihuana" did not emerge until the late 19th century, and the type of hemp grown at the time had very low levels of THC, the active ingredient that causes euphoria.
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are currently housed in the National Archives. In 1987, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory was commissioned to create a system to monitor the physical status of all three documents, resulting in the Charters of Freedom Monitoring System, which took digital photos of each sheet of parchment.
While the final version of the Constitution was not written on hemp paper, it is important to note that hemp was a popular cash crop among the Founding Fathers, and it is likely that drafts of these important documents were written on hemp paper. Hemp was a versatile plant used in various products, including shampoos, fabrics, medical drugs, rope, and fuel. However, paper was the material for which hemp was most widely used, and it was of much greater quality and durability than paper made from other materials, such as cotton.
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The first and second drafts of the Declaration of Independence were written on hemp paper
The final version of the Declaration of Independence, signed by the delegates to the Continental Congress, was engrossed on parchment, which is made from animal skin. However, the first and second drafts of this famous document were indeed written on hemp paper.
The first draft of the Declaration of Independence, dated June 28, 1776, was written on Dutch hemp paper. The second draft, dated July 2, 1776, was also written on hemp paper. This was the draft that was agreed upon, announced, and released on July 4, 1776.
On July 19, 1776, Congress ordered that the Declaration of Independence be copied and engrossed on parchment, a more durable material made from prepared animal skin. This is why the original Declaration of Independence has been so well-preserved over the years.
While the final version of the Declaration of Independence was not written on hemp paper, the use of hemp paper for the early drafts is significant. Hemp was a commonly used material for paper during that time, and it is known that hemp paper was used for other important documents and writings of that era.
The debate surrounding the use of hemp paper for the Declaration of Independence and other founding documents reflects the versatile nature of the hemp plant and its historical significance in America.
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Hemp was widely used to make paper at the time
Hemp paper was of much greater quality than paper made from other materials, such as cotton, and it was more durable. It was used for important documents, such as Bibles, maps, paper money, stocks and bonds, and newspapers. Famous literary works, such as the Gutenberg Bible, the King James Bible, Thomas Paine's pamphlets, and Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, were all written on hemp paper.
Given the widespread use of hemp paper at the time, it is likely that drafts of the Constitution were written on paper made from hemp. However, the final version of the Constitution, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, was written on parchment, which is prepared animal skin, typically sheepskin. The use of parchment for the official versions of these documents may be due to its durability, as demonstrated by the longevity of the Declaration of Independence.
While the use of hemp paper for drafts of the Constitution is a widely circulated myth, it is important to note that the word "marijuana" did not exist at the time, and the plant was referred to as hemp. The hemp grown during that period also had very low levels of THC, the active ingredient that causes euphoria, so it is unlikely that the Founding Fathers smoked hemp or marijuana.
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The word marijuana or marihuana came about in the late 1890s
The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were written on parchment, not hemp paper. However, it is speculated that some working drafts of these documents may have been composed on hemp paper, which was widely used at the time.
The word "marijuana" or "marihuana" came about in the late 1890s, according to research by Kingston University in the United Kingdom. Before this, the plant was known as hemp by the Founding Fathers. The term "marihuana" first appeared in news stories in the early 1900s, often associated with Mexican or Spanish-speaking populations.
The origin of the word "marihuana" is uncertain, but several theories trace its roots to different parts of the world. One theory suggests that Chinese immigrants to western Mexico may have influenced the term, with the syllables "ma ren hua" in Chinese possibly transforming into "marihuana" in Spanish. Alternatively, it could have derived from the Spanish phrase "mejorama (chino)," meaning "Chinese oregano." Another theory posits that Angolan slaves brought to Brazil by the Portuguese may have introduced the Bantu word for cannabis, "ma-kaña."
The global spread of cannabis and its various names reflect its diverse cultural and historical contexts. The term "marihuana" became increasingly associated with negative connotations and led to restrictions and prohibition in various countries. For example, the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 in the United States targeted both cannabis and hemp production.
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The type of hemp grown at the time had very low levels of THC
The type of hemp grown in the 18th century, when the U.S. Constitution was drafted and ratified, likely had very low levels of THC, the psychoactive compound that gives marijuana its distinct effect. Hemp is a variety of the *Cannabis sativa* plant species, which encompasses both hemp and marijuana. While both plants contain cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, they differ significantly in their chemical composition.
Hemp has been cultivated for thousands of years for its strong fibres, which have been used for rope, clothing, paper, and other products. The variety of hemp grown in the 18th century, and more generally prior to the widespread criminalisation of cannabis, likely had minimal THC content. This is because THC is not responsible for the plant's fibrous qualities, and the psychoactive effects may even be undesirable in certain situations, such as when using hemp for rope or other functional purposes.
While it is challenging to determine the precise THC levels in 18th-century hemp, we can make some educated inferences based on historical context and the evolution of cannabis cultivation. The THC content in modern hemp varieties is typically less than 0.3%, and it's reasonable to surmise that the THC levels in the past were even lower. This is due to the absence of selective breeding practices aimed at boosting THC potency, which have become common in more recent times, particularly with the emergence of the legal cannabis industry.
It's worth noting that the distinction between hemp and marijuana, based on THC content, is a relatively modern concept. The 2018 Farm Bill, for example, defines hemp as *Cannabis sativa* plants containing less than 0.3% THC by weight. Prior to this legislation, there was no legal differentiation between hemp and marijuana, and both were broadly prohibited under federal law. As a result, the hemp grown and utilised in the 18th century for various industrial purposes would have had negligible THC levels compared to the marijuana strains widely recognised today.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Constitution is not written on hemp. It is an urban legend that the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights were written on hemp paper. The Declaration, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are currently housed in the National Archives and were all written on parchment, which is treated animal skin, typically sheepskin. However, it is likely that drafts of these documents were written on paper made from hemp as most paper at the time was made from hemp or flax.
Parchment is a type of material made from treated animal skin, usually from sheep.
Hemp is a versatile plant that can be used to make many different things, including shampoo, fabrics, medical drugs, rope, and alternative fuel. However, the most common use of hemp was for paper.
People who support the legalization of marijuana for recreational use often tout this "fact". The theory is that the Founding Fathers knew about, grew, and consumed hemp/marijuana, so it should not be a big deal for states to legalize it.
Many famous documents and works of literature were written on hemp paper, including the Gutenberg Bible, the King James Bible, Thomas Paine's pamphlets "The Rights of Man", "Common Sense", and "The Age of Reason", the works of Mark Twain, Alexander Dumas, and Victor Hugo, and Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland".
