Piker Press — Weekly Journal of Arts and Literature
April 27, 2026

The Many Faces of George 06

"Make the most you can of the Indian Hemp seed and sow it everywhere." Yes, George Washington really said that. Maybe he wouldn't approve of how we view hemp nowadays.

Long ago, I worked in the vault room of a large retail store. A secure, windowless room, the vault's daily sameness was driving me nuts. In a feeble bid for some entertainment, I began collecting defaced one-dollar bills.

I only ever kept one defaced dollar bill that put the words "I grew hemp" into George's mouth. There must have been a high school history teacher who titillated students with the insinuation that George Washington was a pothead, because I found bills like this all the time.

Artist: "Why George Washington, you old pot farmer, you! I never knew you did that!"

George: "I did not grow pot. I grew hemp."

Artist: "Same thing. I suppose you're going to try to tell me you didn't inhale."

George: "My hemp was used for making rope and textiles. It was especially useful as rope for ships' riggings, as it did not mildew. It was an admirable and useful crop."

Artist: "And it gave you the munchies!"

George: "Considering the condition of my teeth, increased appetite is the last thing I would have wished to suffer!"

Artist: "My mom didn't even know you grew pot -- she thought I was making it up."

George: "IT WAS NOT POT."

Artist: "You're just embarrassed, as my trusty highlighter reveals. I think we should tell the world."

George: "The world would be better off if it increased its hemp crops. Very well. People of America, as a wise farmer and prudent landowner, having learned of the many products possible from its cultivation, I grew hemp."

More by Sand Pilarski → More comics → Full issue →
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