The History of Hemp: From Ancient Times to Modern Day

February 24, 2025

Humans have used hemp for thousands of years. Its history dates back to ancient civilizations, where it was valued for its versatility and strength and used for making rope, fabric, paper, and even food. Despite its long history, hemp has often been misunderstood, largely because of its association with marijuana. Today, however, after more than two centuries of taking a backseat to cotton, hemp is making a comeback as people rediscover its many benefits, a resurgence largely driven by a growing awareness of its sustainability and usefulness as a crop.

Freedom Road is a premier cannabis dispensary with locations in Colorado and Oklahoma. For more than a decade, we’ve done things differently. We believe an educated, well-informed consumer is a responsible one, and that understanding your product–including the history behind it–helps facilitate a better, more positive experience. No matter where you’re at on your journey to better health, Freedom Road can help with quality products; experienced, knowledgeable staff; and comprehensive support for all things cannabis.

What Is Hemp?

Hemp is a type of cannabis plant, but it differs from marijuana. The main difference lies in its chemical composition: hemp contains very low levels (0.3% or less) of THC, the psychoactive compound responsible for the “high” associated with marijuana. As a result, hemp does not cause any intoxicating effects.

Instead, hemp is often used in topical cannabidiol (CBD) products, such as oils, capsules, pills, balms, lotions, and more. (CBD is a cannabinoid found in all cannabis plants and can be derived from hemp.) It is also cultivated for its versatile industrial uses, including its strong fibers, nutritious seeds, and beneficial oils.

Hemp Through the Ages

Hemp has been part of human history for thousands of years. Its very long and sturdy fibers have been used to produce rope, fabric, and even paper. Additionally, many cultures have processed hemp seeds into oils for culinary and medicinal purposes and used them as a food source. Hemp is known for its rapid growth and ability to thrive in diverse climates with minimal water requirements, making it a sustainable and valuable crop.

Archaeological discoveries in Taiwan revealed pottery containing hemp cord marks, proving its use over 10,000 years ago. In ancient China, it was used to make clothes, paper, and even fishing nets as early as 2800 BCE. Hemp seeds were also eaten and used for medicine, highlighting its nutritional and healing properties.

In Mesopotamia, hemp’s strong fibers were essential for making ropes and sails that powered trade and exploration. The ancient Egyptians used hemp in construction materials and for crafting textiles. In India, hemp played a role in religious rituals, medicine, and even early forms of cannabis-based beverages like bhang.

When European settlers arrived in America, they brought hemp with them. Colonists grew hemp for ship sails, rope, and other supplies. Some colonies, such as Virginia, even required farmers to grow hemp because it was so needed for survival and trade.

The Decline of Hemp: 3 Reasons Why Cotton Became King

Hemp’s role in agriculture, economies, and societies began a significant and rapid decline, however–particularly in the United States–around the 1800s, the result of a variety of factors including cotton’s growing influence, challenges to mass production, legislative barriers, waning public support and cultural acceptance, and economic politics.

1. The Rise of Cotton

In the 1800s, cotton started to take over as the primary material for textiles. The invention of the cotton gin made it faster and cheaper to process cotton, and it quickly became the crop of choice in the Southern United States. Cotton’s soft texture and adaptability made it popular for clothing, and the rapid growth of textile mills further fueled its dominance.

While hemp was strong and durable, it was more expensive to process because of the labor-intensive methods required to extract its fibers. Hemp processing involved separating the tough outer fibers from the woody core, a challenging task that required tools like hemp brakes or significant manual effort. This added complexity made hemp less appealing compared to cotton, which was easier to process with the cotton gin.

Additionally, cotton had strong support from the Southern economy, which was built on the exploitation of enslaved labor to grow and harvest the crop. This system created an economic advantage for cotton, enabling it to dominate the textile market. The combination of technological innovation and unethical economic practices overshadowed hemp’s potential and pushed it into the background.

2. Legislative Barriers

In the early 1900s, laws targeting marijuana created even more barriers to the wider-adoption of hemp. The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 made it difficult and expensive for farmers to grow hemp, even though it wasn’t the same as marijuana. In spite of hemp’s historical importance to industries like textiles and shipbuilding, this law led to hemp’s decline across the United States.

Hemp’s association with marijuana also created a stigma that discouraged investment and innovation. At the same time, the rise of synthetic materials like nylon, backed by powerful corporations, further diminished hemp’s role in the market. In the midst of all these pressures, hemp became largely forgotten.

3. The Politics of Hemp vs. Cotton

The rise of cotton wasn’t just about technology. Powerful industries and political forces worked tirelessly to ensure cotton’s dominance over hemp. Cotton became deeply intertwined with the Southern economy, which was sustained by enslaved labor. A highly profitable crop, cotton’s economic success attracted significant investment and political backing, further cementing its role in the textile industry.

Despite its versatility and historical significance, hemp lacked the same level of financial and industrial support. The labor-intensive nature of hemp processing, coupled with a lack of technological advancements enjoyed by cotton production, hampered its ability to compete.

Adding to hemp’s challenges was a deliberate campaign to associate it with marijuana. This connection led to stricter laws and a growing stigma. Some historians argue that industries like timber and synthetic fibers played a key role in this narrative, viewing hemp as a direct threat to their dominance. These combined forces — economic, political, and industrial — ultimately pushed hemp out of the spotlight, allowing cotton to take center stage.

A Comeback Story: Hemp’s Resurgence

In recent years, attitudes about hemp have changed dramatically. People are beginning to recognize its potential not just as an agricultural product, but as a key element of sustainable industries. The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill marked a turning point, making it legal to grow industrial hemp in the United States for the first time in decades. This change opened the door for innovation, and today, hemp is used for a wide range of products, from biodegradable plastics and eco-friendly building materials to durable fabrics, nutritious food products, and CBD wellness items.

Hemp’s environmental benefits are also a major reason for its resurgence. Unlike cotton, hemp requires significantly less water to grow and doesn’t rely heavily on chemical pesticides. Its deep roots prevent soil erosion, and it grows much faster, allowing for multiple harvests in a single year. These factors make hemp an attractive option for industries focused on reducing their environmental footprint and finding more sustainable raw materials. As the world faces growing concerns about climate change, hemp stands out as a plant with the potential to make a real difference.

Hemp: Planting for the Future

The history of hemp is a tangled one, influenced by shifting political landscapes, industrial uses, and societal views. It’s a plant that’s been misunderstood and undervalued for much of modern history — but its potential is impossible to ignore. While cotton dominated the past two centuries, hemp’s versatility and sustainability are helping it reclaim its place in agriculture and industry.

From eco-friendly building materials to sustainable clothing, hemp offers solutions to some of today’s biggest challenges. With its many uses and environmental benefits, it’s exciting to see hemp making a comeback. And who knows? Maybe hemp’s best days are still ahead.

Let Freedom Road Help You Discover How Hemp Can Improve Your Journey

The benefits of hemp have stood the test of time, and at Freedom Road, we’re committed to changing the way people see hemp and cannabis more broadly. We’re a certified, full-service dispensary and grow house and we know first-hand how hemp can make an impact. We’re proud to offer cannabis products of uncompromising quality, and we’re passionate about helping our customers understand, appreciate, and get the most out of their cannabis experience.