Historical Figures And Their Connection to The Cannabis sativa L Plant

At The Good People Farms, part of “normalizing” hemp and cannabis is showing that this plant has been quietly woven into history for a very long time. From America’s founding farmers to global icons of music, science, and fashion, many well-known figures have had some connection—sometimes agricultural, sometimes spiritual, sometimes deeply personal—to Cannabis sativa L.

George Washington (1732–1799) – Grew Hemp 

George Washington was not only a general and the first U.S. president—he was also a farmer experimenting with many crops at Mount Vernon.

Records from Mount Vernon and Washington’s farm diaries show that he grew hemp on all five of his plantations, originally as a potential cash crop and later to meet practical needs on the estate. Hemp from his fields was used for rope, thread, canvas, and repairing fishing nets that supported his large commercial fishery on the Potomac.[1][2]

There is no credible evidence that Washington used hemp for intoxication; for him it was a utilitarian fiber crop, not a recreational drug.[2]

Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) – Cultivated Hemp for Textiles 

Thomas Jefferson, third U.S. president and author of the Declaration of Independence, also experimented with many plants at Monticello and his other properties.

The Monticello historical archive confirms that hemp was cultivated alongside flax and cotton, primarily as a textile fiber for clothing.[3] Enslaved laborers grew and processed the hemp on Jefferson’s plantations, underlining that early American hemp production was deeply entangled with slavery and the broader plantation economy.[3][4]

Modern historians note that while Jefferson certainly grew hemp, popular internet claims that he smoked it or bred it for psychoactive use are not supported by documentary evidence.[4]

Queen Victoria (1819–1901) – Reported Medical Use for Cramps 

A widely repeated story in medical and cannabis history is that Queen Victoria used cannabis to relieve menstrual cramps.

Her personal physician, Sir J. Russell Reynolds, wrote an 1890 paper praising cannabis as “one of the most valuable medicines we possess” when properly prepared and administered.[5] Later historical accounts—drawing on Reynolds’ role and contemporary reports—state that he prescribed a cannabis tincture to the Queen for dysmenorrhea (painful periods).[5][6]

Historians caution that the evidence is partly second-hand and not fully documented in royal medical records, but the story is considered plausible given how common cannabis tinctures were in Victorian medicine and Reynolds’ public enthusiasm for the drug.[5][6]

William O’Shaughnessy (1809–1889) – Introduced Cannabis to Western Medicine 

Irish physician Sir William Brooke O’Shaughnessy played a critical role in bringing cannabis into modern Western pharmacology.

While working in India in the 1830s and 1840s, O’Shaughnessy carefully studied local uses of cannabis and conducted his own experiments. He showed that cannabis preparations could relieve pain, muscle spasm, and convulsions, including in conditions like tetanus and rabies.[7][8]

In 1839 he published a landmark paper on “Indian hemp” and subsequently helped introduce Cannabis indica into British and European medical practice.[7][8] Modern historians widely credit him with popularizing medical cannabis in the West.[7]

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Bob Marley (1945–1981) – Cannabis as Spiritual Sacrament 

Reggae legend Bob Marley is one of the most globally recognized faces of cannabis culture—but for him, cannabis was first and foremost a Rastafarian sacrament.

Marley was a committed member of the Rastafari movement, whose practitioners regard cannabis (“ganja”) as a holy herb used in spiritual ceremonies and “reasoning” sessions.[9][10][11] Within Rastafari, cannabis is believed to aid meditation, foster unity, and deepen a sense of connection with the divine.[10][12]

As Marley’s music carried reggae and Rastafarian culture worldwide, he also became an outspoken supporter of cannabis decriminalization and legalization, seeing the plant as both spiritually meaningful and socially misunderstood.[9][11][13]

Carl Sagan (1934–1996) – Advocated for Cannabis in Private 

Astrophysicist and science communicator Carl Sagan had his own, quieter relationship with cannabis.

In 1969 he wrote an anonymous essay under the pseudonym “Mr. X,” describing how cannabis enhanced his appreciation of music, art, and introspection, and arguing that many fears about marijuana were exaggerated.[14] The essay was later published in Lester Grinspoon’s 1971 book Marihuana Reconsidered.[14][15]

Biographer Keay Davidson later revealed that Sagan was Mr. X, and that he used cannabis regularly for much of his adult life—though he kept this private to avoid professional stigma.[15] In the essay, Sagan stops short of calling for unlimited use, but he strongly advocates for more rational, science-based cannabis policy.[14][15]

Steve Jobs (1955–2011) – Recreational Use & Creativity 

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is better known for computers than cannabis, but declassified government interviews and biographies show he used marijuana and hashish recreationally in the 1970s.

In a 1988 background interview for a Department of Defense security clearance, Jobs acknowledged that he had smoked marijuana once or twice a week between 1973 and 1977, and used hashish several times.[16][17] He later described cannabis (and LSD) as experiences that helped him “relax,” feel more creative, and think differently, a theme echoed in later profiles and retrospectives.[16][18]

Jobs also emphasized that he stopped using these substances decades before founding Apple as a major corporation, but his comments have become part of the broader cultural narrative linking cannabis, creativity, and countercultural tech culture.[16][18]

Stella McCartney (1971– ) – Luxury Designer Integrating Hemp into Sustainable Collections 

British fashion designer Stella McCartney is internationally known for luxury collections that avoid leather and fur and prioritize lower-impact materials. In addition to organic cotton and recycled fibers, she has become a prominent example of how hemp can show up in high fashion, not just “crunchy” casual wear.

• In her Fall/Winter 2018 collection, Stella McCartney incorporated GOTS-certified organic hemp into a variety of styles, positioning hemp as a premium, fashion-forward textile rather than a niche novelty.[19][20]

• In the years since, she has continued to integrate hemp into select pieces. Recent product descriptions for her Ryder bag line highlight GOTS-certified organic hemp linings, and some styles feature exterior fabrics that blend true hemp with other fibers such as lyocell.[21][22]

• Sustainability and textile-industry articles now point to Stella McCartney’s hemp-based accessories and “hemp innovations” as case studies in how established luxury brands can help scale hemp’s use in bags, shoes, and apparel.[23]

For The Good People Farms, Stella McCartney illustrates that hemp isn’t just a historical farm crop—it is also a modern, luxury textile that leading designers have been embracing from 2018 to the present.

Why This Matters for The Good People Farms 

Putting these stories side by side does not mean we’re saying, “These people used hemp or cannabis, so you should too.” Instead, our educational series aims to show:

• Hemp and cannabis have been present throughout history—in agriculture, medicine, spirituality, art, fashion, and science.

• The conversation is more nuanced than simple stereotypes about “stoners” or “druggies.”

• Thoughtful, curious people—from founders and physicians to musicians, astrophysicists, and modern fashion designers experimenting with hemp textiles—have taken this plant seriously in very different ways.

By sharing this content, The Good People Farms hopes to help normalize informed dialogue, so visitors can talk about hemp and cannabis with more history, more nuance, and less stigma.

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References

[1] Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. “George Washington Grew Hemp.” Washington’s diaries and farm records showing hemp cultivation on all five Mount Vernon farms. George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

[2] Mount Vernon. “Hemp.” Overview of hemp’s role as a plantation fiber (rope, canvas, fishing nets) at Mount Vernon. George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

[3] Monticello. “Hemp.” Description of hemp cultivation at Monticello and Poplar Forest for clothing and textiles. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.

[4] Monticello. “‘Some of My Finest Hours Have Been Spent on My Back Veranda, Smoking Hemp’” – entry debunking myths that Jefferson smoked hemp, while confirming cultivation. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.

[5] Longreads. “Queen Victoria’s Cramps and the History of Medicinal Marijuana in Europe” – discussion of Sir J. Russell Reynolds and reported prescriptions of cannabis for Queen Victoria’s menstrual pain. Longreads.

[6] Hempshopper. “1890: Doctor Prescribes Cannabis Tincture to Queen Victoria” – summary of the Reynolds/Victoria story as part of hemp history. Hempshopper.

[7] Public Domain Review. “W. B. O’Shaughnessy and the Introduction of Cannabis to Modern Western Medicine.” Historical essay on his medical cannabis research in India and subsequent influence. The Public Domain Review.

[8] Wikipedia. “William Brooke O’Shaughnessy” – biography noting his role in introducing Cannabis indica to Western medicine. Wikipedia.

[9] Wikipedia. “Bob Marley” – discussion of Marley’s Rastafarian faith and support for cannabis legalization. Wikipedia.

[10] Wikipedia. “Rastafari – Use of Cannabis.” Overview of cannabis as a religious sacrament and its role in “reasoning” sessions. Wikipedia.

[11] Herbal Dispatch. “Bob Marley: The Eternal Icon of Cannabis Culture” – article on Marley’s enduring association with cannabis and Rastafarian spirituality. Herbal Dispatch.

[12] Pretorius, S. “The Significance of the Use of Ganja as a Religious Ritual in the Rastafari Movement.” Verbum et Ecclesia – academic discussion of cannabis as a Rastafarian religious ritual. ResearchGate.

[13] FHE Health. “Bob Marley: His Drug Use and Reggae Music” – discussion of Marley’s use of cannabis as a spiritual sacrament. FHE Health.

[14] Sagan, C. “Mr. X.” Essay in Marihuana Reconsidered (1971), describing personal cannabis experiences (originally published anonymously). Summarized at organism.earth.

[15] Open Culture. “Carl Sagan on the Virtues of Marijuana (1969).” Summary of Sagan’s secret cannabis advocacy and later biographical revelations. Open Culture.

[16] Business Insider. “Steve Jobs Did Acid 10–15 Times and Smoked Pot Every Week for 5 Years” – details from declassified Pentagon background interview. Business Insider.

[17] Network World. “Steve Jobs’ LSD Habit, Why He Indulged in Marijuana, and His 1975 Arrest” – article quoting Jobs on cannabis helping him relax and feel more creative. Network World.

[18] Golden Hour. “Did Steve Jobs Really Say That About Cannabis?!” – piece summarizing Jobs’ comments about cannabis, LSD, and creativity. Golden Hour.

[19] Nori. “Top Hemp Clothing Companies Promoting Sustainability in 2022” – highlights Stella McCartney and notes her Fall/Winter 2018 collection using GOTS-certified organic hemp in various styles. Nori Press

[20] Vogue. “Stella McCartney’s Spring 2019 Show Proves Sustainable Fashion Can Still Be Fun” – backstage piece where McCartney discusses avoiding a stereotypical “hemp, organic collection” while using eco materials. Vogue

[21] Stella McCartney. “Ryder Shoulder Bag” – official product descriptions for multiple Ryder bags specifying GOTS-certified organic hemp lining in current collections. Stella McCartney+3Stella McCartney+3Stella McCartney+3

[22] Cenere. “Stella McCartney Ryder Crossbody Bag” – retailer listing with fabric composition including 70% true hemp and 30% lyocell on selected Ryder styles. Cenere GB

[23] TextileSchool & The Monegasque. “Hemp-Based Textiles: Revolutionizing Sustainable Fashion” and “Dressed to Thrive” – discuss Stella McCartney’s hemp-based accessories and “hemp innovations” as examples of sustainable luxury fashion. Textile School+1