George Washington and Thomas Jefferson Grew It, Why Can’t We? Christopher Columbus sailed to America on ships rigged with it. Numerous farmers, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew it extensively in Colonial America. Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag out of it and the Declaration of Independence was written it. Believe it or not, Levi-Strauss constructed the first pair of jeans in California out it. What is “it”? It is a plant called Cannabis Sativa. Cannabis, meaning “useful” and Sativa, meaning “hemp.” Hemp is the more common name for this pla