History of Native Americans and Cannabis
Apr 17th 2024
With it being National Native American Heritage Month we figured we would take you on a little history lesson on the relation of Native Americans and cannabis/hemp. Native Americans grew hemp and cannabis for its durable fibers and used it to make things like thread, cordage, clothing, paper and food. They would also use hemp and cannabis to treat medical conditions such as gout, joint pain, hip pain, muscular atrophy, lethargy and other diseases.
How did Native Americans come across cannabis? Some believe it came to North America as travelers crossed the Bering Strait from Asia. This is supposedly where cannabis originated, so the theory seems to hold water on the surface. And, because cannabis was used for everything from fiber to wood and oil, it makes sense that it would have been packed for such voyages.
"Cannabis has always been a resource of infinite potential to Native Americans. It was smoked in peace pipes as a tool of diplomacy, as many know, but its application in everyday life in the 1400s – and much earlier – is far broader than that"
Happy National Native American Heritage Month!