Hey Platte Hemp Family,
Ever wonder how far back the story of cannabis and hemp really goes? The answer might blow your mind—like, Stone Age old. That’s right! These incredible plants have been with humanity for thousands of years, offering healing, strength, and connection from ancient civilizations to today.
Archaeologists have uncovered hemp fibers dating back to 26,900 B.C. in modern-day Czech Republic (Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp, n.d.). Ancient humans weren’t just surviving—they were thriving with hemp ropes, fabrics, and medicines.
Cannabis was recorded in Chinese medical texts as early as 2727 BCE, praised for treating pain, inflammation, and more (Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, n.d.). In India, cannabis was sacred—used in Ayurvedic medicine and associated with the god Shiva, known as the “Lord of Bhang.”
In the West, Greek and Roman doctors used cannabis for everything from earaches to inflammation. Fast forward to medieval Europe: Abbess Hildegard of Bingen recommended it for pain relief—this plant’s track record runs deep.
Long before “sustainability” was trendy, hemp was literally keeping the world connected.
Ships in the Age of Exploration relied on hemp for sails, nets, and rope—Columbus brought 80 tons of it across the Atlantic! Even the U.S. Constitution was drafted on hemp paper (Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, n.d.).
And yes, our founding father George Washington grew hemp—and encouraged others to do the same.
In 1937, the U.S. passed the Marihuana Tax Act, and the stigma was born. Fueled by racially charged propaganda like Reefer Madness, cannabis became demonized—despite its medicinal and industrial value.
But the plant’s healing power couldn’t stay buried forever…
Today, science is catching up to ancient wisdom. From THC and CBD research to rediscovering the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), we now know that cannabis truly helps bring the body into balance. And hemp? It’s fueling eco-friendly industries from textiles to building materials to nutrition.
Come visit Platte Hemp Company in Casper, Sheridan, or Gillette. Or drop by our nonprofit PH Glass Studio in Casper to explore the art side of cannabis culture—where creativity meets wellness.
Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp. (n.d.). Hemp in history. Retrieved from allianceflaxlinenhemp.eu
Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics. (n.d.). History of cannabis. University of Sydney.
Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. (n.d.). George Washington grew hemp. Retrieved from mountvernon.org
Please note: The legal landscape is continually evolving. For the most current information, consult legal experts or official state resources.
