Sir Joseph Banks and the Question of Hemp

Overview

When Captain Cook and The First Fleet initially arrived on Australia’s shores back in 1788, it set off a whole chain of reactions. However one thing that historic journey across the seas has never been known for, is as the first time marijuana made it to our fair shore’s of golden soil. Definitely a good thing Border Security didn’t exist back then.

One person who very much knew about this exciting development in colonial history is Dr John Jiggens. His work writing about this particular “industry” is famed and luckily for you history buffs he has just released a new book; Sir Joseph Banks and the Question of Hemp: hemp, sea-power and empire, 1776-1815. A long title yes, but it’s certainly very self-explanatory - the book covers how Sir Joseph Banks was Australia’s original dealer and how vital the crop was to the colony.

Celebrating the new release Avid Reader and green historian and activist Drew Hutton, who are combining their knowledge and location to host an evening of discussion about Dr Jiggens’ new book. It’s a free event so if you’re out and about in West End, feel free to drop by. You’ll probably pass some working members of the green industry as you walk down Boundary Street.