Stoned Presidents: U.S Presidents that Smoked Marijuana

Before marijuana prohibition began in the late 1930′s, many people, including some of our nations leaders grew cannabis for a variety of reasons. It’s fairly well known that cannabis has thousands of industrial uses, and has been grown for thousands of years. While simply growing cannabis is far from proof that someone smoked it, there is still evidence showing many would-be U.S Presidents enjoyed it for recreational and medicinal uses. George Washington Washington routinely smoked marijuana to alleviate the pain from his ailing teeth. Washington’s diary recounts his efforts to better cultivate and enhance his crops of marijuana. Thomas Jefferson Jefferson grew cannabis on his plantation and smuggled Chinese hemp seeds to America. He also is believed to have given special smoking blends out as personal gifts which is why he makes the list. James Madison Madison once remarked that hemp gave him insight to create a new and democratic nation. James Monroe Monroe began smoking it as Ambassador to France & continued to the age of 73. Andrew Jackson Jackson has been documented to have smoked cannabis and tobacco cigars along with the troops he led. Zachary Taylor Like Andrew Jackson, Taylor is said to have smoked with his troops in one or more of the many wars he was in. Franklin Pierce Continuing a popular theme of the era, Pierce also smoked with his troops as a general in the Mexican-American War. In a letter to his family, he says cannabis is “about the only good thing” in the war. Abraham Lincoln Quotes (real and fake) about Lincoln enjoying hemp are all over the internet. While some debate if Lincoln sparked up, many resources point to yes. John F. Kennedy Close acquaintances say Kennedy used cannabis regularly to control his back pain (even during his term) and actually planned on legalizing marijuana during his second term. Jimmy Carter Along with his efforts to legalize marijuana, Some say Carter also hosted many marijuana smoke filled events at the White House. This leads most to assume Carter at least tried it at some point in life. George W. Bush Bush publicly refused to answer the marijuana question. He was later caught saying he refused to talk about it “because I don’t want some little kid doing what I tried”. Bill Clinton Clinton famously stated that he smoked but “didn’t inhale”. He has been known to bend the truth every now and then, so he still makes the list. Barack Obama Even though he joked off many American’s wishes to legalize marijuana, Obama has been very open with his own marijuana smoking in the past, once saying “I inhaled frequently. That was the point”. Unfortunately history has forgotten many facts of lesser known presidents like Millard Fillmore, which makes finding evidence of possible marijuana use for some presidents next to impossible. Despite that, 30 percent of the United State’s 44 presidents are believed to have smoked marijuana for recreational and/or medical purposes. While under the average of roughly 40% of people that admit to smoking marijuana, it’s still an interesting fact to keep in mind while debating issues about marijuana use in America.