From Jamestown to Jack Herer: A Brief History of Cannabis in Virginia

Cannabis has made a full-circle journey in Virginia - from colonial crop to controversial contraband to homegrown herb. Whether you're a local grower looking to understand your green roots or just curious about how this plant wound its way through the state’s history, this story has deep roots, wild turns, and a surprisingly patriotic twist.

1600s: Colonial Cannabis - The Hemp Era Begins

Long before it was called "weed," cannabis was grown across Virginia - legally, and even by law. In the early 1600s, English settlers in Jamestown were required to cultivate hemp. The fibrous stalks were vital for rope, sails, and clothing.

• 1619: The Virginia Assembly passed a law mandating every landowner to grow hemp.
• Hemp was seen as a patriotic crop - it supported naval expansion and was even used for early American paper.
• Thomas Jefferson and George Washington both grew hemp at their estates.

This wasn’t the type of cannabis that gets you high, though. Early hemp had very low THC but the plant’s legacy was being sown into Virginia’s agricultural DNA.

1900s: From Medicine to Mistrust - Cannabis Criminalized

Fast forward to the 20th century, and hemp’s image began to change.

• By the 1930s, anti-cannabis sentiment had taken hold across the U.S., fueled by misinformation and fear campaigns like Reefer Madness.
• Virginia followed national trends, criminalizing all forms of cannabis - medical and recreational alike.

The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 cemented cannabis as a Schedule I drug. In Virginia, possession meant jail time. Growing it? Even worse.

But cannabis never really left - it just went underground.

1970s–2000s: Counterculture, Jack Herer & Quiet Resistance

While cannabis remained illegal, the counterculture of the 70s reignited interest in both hemp and high-THC cannabis.

• Jack Herer, a U.S. cannabis activist and author, published The Emperor Wears No Clothes in 1985. The book revealed how hemp had been unfairly demonized and emphasized its environmental and economic benefits.
• Herer’s work inspired generations of growers and advocates - including many Virginians who quietly started experimenting with backyard grows, despite the risks.

Though prohibition was still in full effect, the seeds of reform had been planted.

2010s–2021: The Legal Shift Begins

Virginia began moving toward cannabis reform in the 2010s.

• 2015: The state allowed limited medical use of cannabis oils.
• 2020: Possession of up to one ounce was decriminalized.
• July 1, 2021: Recreational cannabis was legalized in Virginia, including limited home cultivation.

This made Virginia the first Southern state to fully legalize adult-use cannabis - marking a major shift in regional policy and culture.

Today: Home Growers Step Into the Light

As of 2025, adult Virginians aged 21 and over can legally:

• Grow up to 4 cannabis plants per household
• Use cannabis on private property
• Share (but not sell) cannabis with other adults

Many Virginians are now growing their own weed for wellness, creativity, and fun. Backyard gardens and indoor grow tents are popping up from Richmond to Roanoke. And just like their colonial ancestors, today’s growers are using local soil, sunshine, and ingenuity to make it happen.

From Hemp Ropes to Joints: Virginia’s Cannabis Comeback

It’s hard to believe that a plant once mandated by law became taboo for decades - only to return again as a symbol of personal freedom and wellness. The story of cannabis in Virginia is woven with history, controversy, and resilience.

Whether you grow to relax, to heal, or just to connect with the land, you’re part of a long tradition that stretches from Jamestown to Jack Herer - and far beyond.

Want to start growing your own chapter in this story? Check out our beginner guides and state-specific growing tips to get started the legal way, right here in Virginia.