America's Founding Fathers: Pot Heads

[Liv]

Did America's Founding Father's smoke marijuana? Were they in essence just big pot heads. A discussion a few weeks ago here at Greensboring had one conservative member confused and bewildered after positively defending them as Christian leaders set forth to create a Christian country.

Today I found this:

REFUSING TO GROW HEMP in America during the 17th and 18th Centuries WAS AGAINST THE LAW! You could be jailed in Virginia for refusing to grow hemp from 1763 to 1769; Hemp in Colonial Virginia, G. M. Herdon.

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other founding fathers GREW HEMP; Washington and Jefferson Diaries. Jefferson smuggled hemp seeds from China to France then to America.

"What was done with the seed saved from the India Hemp last summer? It ought, all of it, to have been sewn again; that not only a stock of seed sufficient for my own purposes might have been raised, but to have disseminated the seed to others; as it is more valuable than common hemp." - George Washington, Writings of Washington, Vol. 35, pg 72

Benjamin Franklin owned one of the first paper mills in America and it processed hemp. Also, the War of 1812 was fought over hemp. Napoleon wanted to cut off Moscow's export to England; Emperor Wears No Clothes, Jack Herer.

Even Bibles were printed on hemp, but of course none of this means they actually smoked it, right? By why wouldn't they? America's first president was known to document in his diary the separation of seeds by sex, and has several quotes attributed to him that alludes to the fact he was using marijuana in ways other then purely agricultural means.

Many of the founding fathers notated in letters their pleasure in smoking marijuana, Including Washington, Madison, Monroe, Jefferson & Andrew Jackson.

So if this is the case, then one can assume our country, the declaration of independence, the constitution, the whole idea of the way we live today was thought up during some drug induced delusion. It was only the need for the founding father to continually run out to the local colony store for nachos to cure the munchies that prevented things from happening quicker.

[Sanjuro]

I think calling them "pot heads" is a bit much. I doubt they were any more a "pot head" than someone who enjoys a glass of wine or beer is an "alcoholic".

[Liv]

Definitions are relative only to ones perceptions. Many people who so adamantly feel smoking any sort of illegal narcotic is horrendously sinful, might find the idea of even a single hit on a joint repulsive.

[Guest]

"So if this is the case, then one can assume our country, the declaration of independence, the constitution, the whole idea of the way we live today was thought up during some drug induced delusion."

There is a large difference between hemp and marijuana. Hemp has such a low amount of THC in it that you would just become exhausted from smoking enough to get high that you would never get high. Hemp has an unbelievable number of uses, from clothing to footwear to rope. This has no argument as to what kind of state of mind these people were in to found this luxury of a government that you benefit from.

In fact the commoner in their day and time looked at the founding fathers as great intellects. Which says something considering that "The Federalist Papers" were written for the common NY farmer. I know for a fact that many college students struggle grasping the meaning of the "common" language used in this document that was considered "average" reading for their time.

To assume something based off the writings of hemp holds no logical argument as to why this country is the way it is. And if we will accept this assumption as valid then should we not also accept that these men were more intellectual stoned than most sober professors in college. With all of these assumptions put aside, we know that they were defenders of truth to the point that they risked their lives to explore a dangerous new world for the glory of God, their morals, and the vision of liberty for all.

All in all, these men deserve more respect than most anyone you know so show some. If there is anyone to blame for the reason our country is the way it is it is each and every one of us, including me, for not being dedicated to truth and knowledge as our founding fathers were.

[basinglass]

I have read many accounts of the founding fathers and many people of their day experimenting with Marijuana. I have read in multiple sources that Washington found that smoking some marijuana in his pipe helped alleviate his chronic toothache which bother him in his last years.

[FounderswereRight_youguysareaninsult]

Amen, Guest, Amen! The Founding Fathers were the greatest men to walk this continent, they were sober, intellectual, and well-versed men of god who were divinely inspired to help us secure the freedoms which people died for.
It is disgustingly ironic that people who argue to your last drug-laced breath that it is your right to smoke your self into a thoughtless stupor, would claim that the very people who created a constitution to preserve that right (however incredible the stupidity) did it all in a moment of mindless indulgence. How pathetic.

My suggestion is you get off the drugs and realize just who and what you were born to be; free men in a country that was brought into existence by men who had carefully and concisely studied the dangers and abuses of power and how to bring about the Natural Laws of the Universe by the Supreme Creator of all things to the blessing of the whole earth.

Thankyou, Guest, for your comments.

[SouthernFriedInfidel]

Amen, Guest, Amen! The Founding Fathers were the greatest men to walk this continent, they were sober, intellectual, and well-versed men of god who were divinely inspired to help us secure the freedoms which people died for.

They had a lot going for them, true -- wealth, education and connections to great thinkers of their day. They were certainly NOT all of them "men of god." Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, James Madison and others were Deists and what would later become known as agnostics. Ben Franklin had some rather outrageous ideas of a multitude of gods, with YHWH as a local, minor deity rather than the creator of the universe.

But ... getting back to the topic, I agree that it's rather far fetched to think that any of the honchos in the start-up of the country were into any drugs stronger than nicotine and alcohol.

[A Person]

, I agree that it's rather far fetched to think that any of the honchos in the start-up of the country were into any drugs stronger than nicotine and alcohol.

Attitudes to 'drugs' were very different in the past. There was not the social stigma attached then as there is now. People would hold Ether and Laughing gas parties, opiates were widely and freely available ('Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrup", Laudenam, paregoric etc) and they were considered no more (or less) socially unacceptable than drinking alcohol or coffee, or smoking or chewing tobacco.

I would be surprised if the founding fathers didn't take many of those things now considered to be illegal drugs. There would have been no mention of it because it would have been unremarkable.

[swingset777]

, I agree that it's rather far fetched to think that any of the honchos in the start-up of the country were into any drugs stronger than nicotine and alcohol.

Attitudes to 'drugs' were very different in the past. There was not the social stigma attached then as there is now. People would hold Ether and Laughing gas parties, opiates were widely and freely available ('Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrup", Laudenam, paregoric etc) and they were considered no more (or less) socially unacceptable than drinking alcohol or coffee, or smoking or chewing tobacco.

I would be surprised if the founding fathers didn't take many of those things now considered to be illegal drugs. There would have been no mention of it because it would have been unremarkable.

I had a student today turn in an essay on (of course) the virtues of Marijuana. He "quoted" that "upon winning the revolutionary wry the Turks gave the founding fathers pounds and pounds of weed and they had a smoke-fest for a week". Well the termTturk comes from the founder of modern day Turkey (Alla Turk) from the late 1800s and at the time of the end of the revolutionary war the reigon was referred to as the Ottoman Empire. My guess is that my student read and quoted a source that is pro weed, who quoted a source who was pro weed, who had quoted a source that was pro weed who.....etc. AND NOW it is common knowledge (among pro weeders) that the founding fathers engaged in a week-long smoke-fest complements of the "Turks". I found no reference to any relations with the Ottoman Empire (or the "Turks") with Early Revolutionary America,or the Ottoman Empire with England/europe for that matter in regard to any American issues. The Ottoman Empire was kind of an unknown no-mans-land dealing mostly with itself Asia at the time. I guess Pro Weeders believe their own set of facts to justify smoking. Last thought: informally commenting as a counselor, I would say that no less than 95% of the students who I see who are "bored with school" and drop out, are involved with Marijuana. My guessis "Weeders" would justify that "they are more enlightened"

[guest]

I have to say, i doubt our fathers were "pot heads." I do believe some of them smoked but only as an additive to their tobacco (and you have to remember that weed in those days was nothing near as strong as it is today so they werent likely to be getting stoned).
One must also note that they specifically imported the one breed of a common non-intoxicating plant... that was intoxicating.

[Nate1989]

It is disgustingly ironic that people who argue to your last drug-laced breath that it is your right to smoke your self into a thoughtless stupor, would claim that the very people who created a constitution to preserve that right (however incredible the stupidity) did it all in a moment of mindless indulgence. How pathetic.

My suggestion is you get off the drugs and realize just who and what you were born to be; free men in a country that was brought into existence by men who had carefully and concisely studied the dangers and abuses of power and how to bring about the Natural Laws of the Universe by the Supreme Creator of all things to the blessing of the whole earth.

Just so you know actually weed has been proven in some experiments to increase intelligence, as well as increase overall brain activity, And most of the people you call stoner's happen to be highly intelligent as well. If your going make claims about specific drugs guest actually do your research, and furthermore alcohol is far more dangerous then weed, in the entire history of smoking weed, there has never been a single recorded death from using it.

[joe]

Most all of our founders died horrible deaths and broke standing up for their signing the Dec of Ind.

ALSO< HEMP WAS MADE AS A MATERIAL FOR MAKING CLOTHS AND PAPER< NOT TO SMOKE

[A Person]

Most all of our founders died horrible deaths and broke standing up for their signing the Dec of Ind.

Bullshit revisionist history.

Their life spans and deaths were normal for the time

Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Williamson, and Wythe all lived into their 80's - pretty goodfor the day. Johnson and Adams were in their 90's. 15 or so lived into their seventies. Some died in duels, some died in wars. Some died broke but many died wealthy. Jefferson died in debt since he sold most of his land before the war of Independence and the paper money he received became worthless. Franklin died a wealthy man.

[green2010]

, I agree that it's rather far fetched to think that any of the honchos in the start-up of the country were into any drugs stronger than nicotine and alcohol.

Attitudes to 'drugs' were very different in the past. There was not the social stigma attached then as there is now. People would hold Ether and Laughing gas parties, opiates were widely and freely available ('Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrup", Laudenam, paregoric etc) and they were considered no more (or less) socially unacceptable than drinking alcohol or coffee, or smoking or chewing tobacco.

I would be surprised if the founding fathers didn't take many of those things now considered to be illegal drugs. There would have been no mention of it because it would have been unremarkable.

I had a student today turn in an essay on (of course) the virtues of Marijuana. He "quoted" that "upon winning the revolutionary wry the Turks gave the founding fathers pounds and pounds of weed and they had a smoke-fest for a week". Well the termTturk comes from the founder of modern day Turkey (Alla Turk) from the late 1800s and at the time of the end of the revolutionary war the reigon was referred to as the Ottoman Empire. My guess is that my student read and quoted a source that is pro weed, who quoted a source who was pro weed, who had quoted a source that was pro weed who.....etc. AND NOW it is common knowledge (among pro weeders) that the founding fathers engaged in a week-long smoke-fest complements of the "Turks". I found no reference to any relations with the Ottoman Empire (or the "Turks") with Early Revolutionary America,or the Ottoman Empire with England/europe for that matter in regard to any American issues. The Ottoman Empire was kind of an unknown no-mans-land dealing mostly with itself Asia at the time. I guess Pro Weeders believe their own set of facts to justify smoking. Last thought: informally commenting as a counselor, I would say that no less than 95% of the students who I see who are "bored with school" and drop out, are involved with Marijuana. My guessis "Weeders" would justify that "they are more enlightened"

what percentage of the students you see that are involved in school and make good grades have used marijuana?
and i dont believe we are "enlightened," but it certainly cant be that horrible. michael phelps (sp?) smokes/smoked weed, is he unsuccessful?

[green2010]

, I agree that it's rather far fetched to think that any of the honchos in the start-up of the country were into any drugs stronger than nicotine and alcohol.

Attitudes to 'drugs' were very different in the past. There was not the social stigma attached then as there is now. People would hold Ether and Laughing gas parties, opiates were widely and freely available ('Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrup", Laudenam, paregoric etc) and they were considered no more (or less) socially unacceptable than drinking alcohol or coffee, or smoking or chewing tobacco.

I would be surprised if the founding fathers didn't take many of those things now considered to be illegal drugs. There would have been no mention of it because it would have been unremarkable.

alcohol kills more people than weed!!!

[Guest]

You're right, our Founding Fathers were good Christians. In Genesis 9:3, as translated by Webster, "Every moving thing that liveth shall be food for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things" There are many other translations, very similar to this one on the following website: http://bible.cc/genesis/9-3.htm I guess I missed the part where God said, "I give you everything except the green herb". And just to add a little light to your ignorance concerning marijuana use, some of the most successful, intelligent and wealthy people (from tenured professors to millionaire software developers) I know smoke marijuana everyday. Obviously, I can't mention names thanks to people like you. But go right ahead and tell everyone you know how to live their life, you're certainly the most informed.

[lolhistory]

You're right, our Founding Fathers were good Christians. In Genesis 9:3, as translated by Webster, "Every moving thing that liveth shall be food for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things" There are many other translations, very similar to this one on the following website: http://bible.cc/genesis/9-3.htm I guess I missed the part where God said, "I give you everything except the green herb". And just to add a little light to your ignorance concerning marijuana use, some of the most successful, intelligent and wealthy people (from tenured professors to millionaire software developers) I know smoke marijuana everyday. Obviously, I can't mention names thanks to people like you. But go right ahead and tell everyone you know how to live their life, you're certainly the most informed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_poisonous_plants

this is a link to a wiki page that lists many plats that are poisonous and even fatal is ingested. I wonder if we should make you drink hemlock just to test that bible verse's merits that you are so quick to shield your cause with.

Back to the issues at hand here; it seems to me that through history various political movements have attempted to erase, rewrite or mutate history in order to achieve their ends. Somehow I find the efforts of the "anti-prohibition" movement to be more of the same. It's dangerous, shameful and self-destructive for anyone to distort, erase or alter truth in history for any reason because you are in effect destroying the past, or at lest attempting to. For such a nearly worthless and selfish activity you would destroy history as it happened? A human heart would feel shame. The notion that our founding fathers regularly indulged in laughing gas parties and the like is absurd. This would be like the most brilliant minds of our day getting together and doing lines of coke off a mirror on a regular basis. Maybe if the revolution had failed and all their plans and fallen flat some of these amazing men would have turned to escapes such as these to ease the passing of what would be sure to be their last few days on this earth.

I am thankful for the nation that was erected and the opportunities that are afforded to myself and everyone else who lives here in the states and I hope that we can put a swift end to these insane attempts to label these men as potheads, as it does little to honor their memory and much to further the cause of the "anti-prohibition" movement;
"t’s like what Lenin said…you look for the person who will benefit, and, uh…" -The Dude
http://www.fluther.com/57420/whats-the- ... -lebowski/

[Guest]

getting back to the topic, I agree that it's rather far fetched to think that any of the honchos in the start-up of the country were into any drugs stronger than nicotine and alcohol.

You're joking right? The medical field classifies alcohol as a hard drug and marijuana as a soft drug...

It is only the current climate that would have you believe that marijuana is "stronger" than alcohol.

[Guest]

[it seems to me that through history various political movements have attempted to erase, rewrite or mutate history in order to achieve their ends. Somehow I find the efforts of the "anti-prohibition" movement to be more of the same.




But the "anti-prohibitionists" think YOU are changing history here!

Look, 40 percent of people of have tried marijuana, in this CURRENT system of it being ILLEGAL..

It is simply ubsurd, to say the least, to believe that none of the founding fathers were regular consumers of marijuana.

Also, to the guy who said that most of the highschool drop outs were stoners, they do not care about their reputations, therefore they have nothing to hide by proudly aunouncing that they enjoy smoking marijuana.

As the straight A, involved in the community types, are a little bit more concerned about that reputation.

[60's califoronia child]

Our founding fathers certainly had the right idea and I am sure many of them made their fortune in the trading growing and smoking of marijuana aka hemp....If our politicians today were as savvy today they would legalize marijuana tax the living hell out of it and put our economy back on the right track instead of using marijuana as a means of controlling other countries through illegal pipelines designed to benefit the usa through means of black marketing....

[duncan99white]

Now with these machines lowering in price as years go on, maybe we will see more of these test popping up and leaving us with physical proof and no doubt that marijuana actually does reduce stress.

[Jamy]

Prohibition in the twenties was an epic fail.

Prohibition as it exists now is an epic fail as well.

Time to stop wasting money on trying to parent adults "for their own good" and use that money to educate our children, improve our infrastructure, and disease (ie. cancer, aids, cystic fibrosis etc) research.

[pot in trunks]

man I love pot

[guest]

Amen, Guest, Amen! The Founding Fathers were the greatest men to walk this continent, they were sober, intellectual, and well-versed men of god who were divinely inspired to help us secure the freedoms which people died for.
It is disgustingly ironic that people who argue to your last drug-laced breath that it is your right to smoke your self into a thoughtless stupor, would claim that the very people who created a constitution to preserve that right (however incredible the stupidity) did it all in a moment of mindless indulgence. How pathetic.

My suggestion is you get off the drugs and realize just who and what you were born to be; free men in a country that was brought into existence by men who had carefully and concisely studied the dangers and abuses of power and how to bring about the Natural Laws of the Universe by the Supreme Creator of all things to the blessing of the whole earth.

- To this comment I say, if you have the right to get drunk or smoke yourself to death with tobacco than why can't I have the right to get high off a drug that, unlike alcohol and tobacco, causes NO CHEMICAL ADDICTION. I'm not saying that people can't become addicted but the kind of addiction that people get from smoking marijuana is the same as someone who is addicted to shopping, sex, or food. Its psychological.
There are always going to be people who abuse marijuana but do you have to condemn those who want to enjoy marijuana like others enjoy a good glass of wine?

[guest]

"Amen, Guest, Amen! The Founding Fathers were the greatest men to walk this continent, they were sober, intellectual, and well-versed men of god who were divinely inspired to help us secure the freedoms which people died for.
It is disgustingly ironic that people who argue to your last drug-laced breath that it is your right to smoke your self into a thoughtless stupor, would claim that the very people who created a constitution to preserve that right (however incredible the stupidity) did it all in a moment of mindless indulgence. How pathetic.

My suggestion is you get off the drugs and realize just who and what you were born to be; free men in a country that was brought into existence by men who had carefully and concisely studied the dangers and abuses of power and how to bring about the Natural Laws of the Universe by the Supreme Creator of all things to the blessing of the whole earth."


If the presidents were well-versed men of God and divinely inspired, then how could they bring out "the Natural Laws of the Universe" wouldn't they be laws of god? If they are Laws of Nature than they would not be divinely inspired. You are combining a humanist view and a religious view into one, which contradicts itself. Furthermore, if you would do more research before you irresponsibly post comments you would discover that some of the most brilliant minds in man's existence used cannabis in not only the arts, but in the subjects of science and mathematics. Athletes also enjoy this plant as means of relaxation after pushing their bodies to the limits in their respective sport. Michael Phelps smokes and he is part fish, so to the people out there that say marijuana stunts brain function or motor skills, look at the facts it just ain't that bad. President Ronald Reagan said, "Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves." Regardless if the founding fathers were high or not, we should take all their words to heart. Because I am sure that everyone can agree that these men were brilliant, and had the interests of not only their generation but every generation after them in their minds when they built this country. Should cannabis be legal, yes, but not for any reason other than it is up to the individual to decide what is right for them. Alcohol and tobacco are terrible substances that are abused by millions of people per day, and these substances strip people of what they were intended to be not pot. Before i write a novel I will end with even if marijuana is good, too much of a good thing can be bad. To all the smokers out there, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but a joint an hour keeps you from becoming sour. Think about it.