In 1942, during the height of World War II, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) produced a short documentary film titled “Hemp for Victory.” Its purpose was simple but vital: encourage American farmers to grow hemp to support the war effort. At a time when imported fibers like jute and sisal were cut off due to the war in the Pacific, hemp was promoted as a strategic crop for making rope, canvas, webbing, and other essential military supplies.
After the war, hemp production was once again restricted in the United States, and the “Hemp for Victory” film quietly disappeared from public awareness. Incredibly, for decades both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Library of Congress denied that the film had ever existed. Historians, researchers, and hemp advocates who had seen or heard of the film’s wartime screenings were met with official statements saying no such production had been made.
That changed in 1986, when two VHS copies of the film surfaced, reportedly from government archives, and were released to the public. This rediscovery provided undeniable proof that the U.S. government had not only encouraged hemp cultivation in the past but had actively promoted it as a patriotic duty.
In the film, the narrator proudly declares that “Hemp is used for the rigging of ships, for tow lines, for sailor’s clothing, and for countless other things.” Farmers were shown planting, harvesting, and processing hemp, while officials emphasized that it was as important to victory as bullets and tanks.
“Hemp for Victory” is more than just a historical curiosity—it’s a reminder of hemp’s deep roots in American agriculture and industry. While today’s hemp industry is often associated with wellness products like CBD, its uses extend far beyond that, into textiles, building materials, paper, and even environmental remediation.
By remembering and sharing stories like this, we keep alive the knowledge that hemp is not a new trend, but a time-tested, versatile, and patriotic crop.
You can watch the full “Hemp for Victory” film here:
Watch on YouTube
Earn While Helping Pets & Their People Thrive At Healing Green Farms, our mission is simple: to craft organic, small-batch CBD products that bring peace
Our dogs give us years of love, loyalty, and laughter — and when they reach their golden years, they deserve the very best in comfort
