Leading a nation can be challenging. Perhaps that explains why at least some former US presidents have consumed cannabis at some point during or prior to their White House terms – as long as our history can trace its way back that far! Let us use Presidents Day 2019 as an opportunity to investigate this fascinating and historical fact!
From our founding fathers through to those currently holding office, America’s top leaders and their relationships to cannabis make an intriguing study. From cultivators who pampered crops to massively clouded college transcripts and even inspiring what may be considered the coolest Willie Nelson story ever told, Presidents’ Day pays homage to those who’ve held America’s highest post and who also have an affinity for cannabis.
George Washington
In between serving as first President and being instrumental to leading the Revolutionary War, George Washington somehow found the time and dedication to keep detailed diaries throughout his life. These diaries include accounts of adventures, meditations and challenges faced by him while detailing an interest in botany–especially hemp! Though historians can never be certain, it appears plausible that “hemp preparations” described by Washington may have come from female cannabis plants with high THC content for toothaches or other ailments he used “hemp preparations”.
Thomas Jefferson had an affinity for hemp, even going so far as smuggling seeds back from China so they could be planted here in America. While serving as ambassador to France (cue Hamilton song), Jefferson found himself caught up in an impressive hashish boom; unfortunately no documentation exists to tell us whether Jefferson ever used cannabis compounds himself; nevertheless his actions serve as a powerful reminder that even sitting US presidents may have found themselves resorting to illegal cannabis importation techniques from time to time!
James Monroe
Like Jefferson, Monroe served as ambassador to France where he experienced first-hand the hashish craze first-hand. According to some accounts, Monroe brought it home with him, continuing unabashedly smoking hashish for much of his life without apology or apology; though these claims could simply be the product of inaccurate memories or simply confusion; so for now the jury remains out as we determine exactly how high Monroe really was when it comes to hashish use.
Jimmy Cartererite It would be safest to accept that President Jimmy Carter did indeed experience cannabis first-hand; after all, one of stoner culture’s great tales began thanks to our 39th president: Willie Nelson was invited by Carter’s son Chip for an epic late-night toke on the roof of the White House! Additionally, Carter pitched Congress legislation eliminating federal penalties associated with possession up to an ounce of cannabis back then (this happened during 1977!). That makes Carter an exceptional leader who led us forward from any conventional wisdom!
Bill Clinton’s quote (“I didn’t inhale”) became one of the classic pot comedy punchlines when the world collectively laughed at his refusal to acknowledge past cannabis consumption; made worse still by his support and advocacy for the restrictive 1994 Crime Bill (also sponsored by current Vice-President Joe Biden and all Republican elected office holders) which made denying past consumption that much harder for everyone involved. Next time around President Clinton, perhaps inhale?
Honorable Mentions It would be impossible to include everyone who served as president over more than 250 years here; nonetheless it should be noted that various accounts suggest James Madison enjoyed hemp; that Andrew Jackson, Zachary Taylor and Franklin Pearce all wrote letters during the Mexican American War in which they referenced enjoying cannabis; and John F. Kennedy may even have used cannabis during office to ease back pain issues.
As our modern commanders-in-chief now face a changing tide, the old rhetoric that associated cannabis as an enemy must now change dramatically; recent American presidents such as Barack Obama openly admitting their past use and moving past it have proven fruitful in changing perceptions, however it has yet to translate to tangible policies aimed at freeing those incarcerated for cannabis crimes and mitigating future arrest, imprisonment and systemic prejudice.
Recent administrations have made headlines for issuing cannabis pardons, with former President Trump issuing some and President Biden issuing several in 2022 as an announcement about pardoning all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession; but when these no longer need be issued, we could very likely witness America’s first true cannabis-friendly president take office and set new precedent.
Presidents’ Day: (In)hale the Chiefs appeared first on Cannabis Now.