Talk:Hemp in the United States

Wm R. Hearst Got Cannabis/Hemp Demonized

Well, in the tradition of capitalism run amuck, there was a time when magazines and newspapers were our primary means of printed communication. And if you controlled the newspapers and the magazines, much like we see today with news cycles, you could control public opinion.

So, this publishing magnate named Hearst had a huge number of successful magazines and newspapers. So to keep them running, he bought tons of forested land (legally) and now had the wood he needed to turn into paper to publish his magazines and newspapers.

BUT...just as he made this HUGE purhase, people discovered how hemp can be used for tons of things, one of which was its a great substitute for paper. AND, its years and years faster to grow, you need less space, you can harvest it four times a year, and paper is just the beginning of what it could do.

So to prevent other publishers from using hemp to make paper and then not having to buy paper from him, he lobbied to have hemp declared illegal because it could also be used as what we now call weed. So to prevent others from growing it, he demonized it even though alcohol is so many times worse!

But he didn't care...he just didn't want to lose his investment and future income. It has taken decades for people to realize "Hey, this is a plant for the future! It can be used for so many things we need and use, plus, yeah, it can have fun effects." 2601:247:447F:5510:C51A:8BE6:53F2:1C8E (talk) 21:41, 26 August 2024 (UTC)

What you just provided has no references and in fact is probably a hoax/urban legend repeated in The Emperor Wears No Clothes according to skeptoid, as well as a CRC reference work endorsed by WikiProject Cannabis. Plus if you think those might be anti-cannabis bias for some reason, you can find it debunked in no less of a pro source than Merry Jane's "pothead paranoia" article. ☆ Bri (talk) 21:54, 26 August 2024 (UTC)