Sea Weed: Cannabis on the High Seas

For visitors arriving to Barcelona by sea, the first figure to greet them is Christopher Columbus, standing aloft a column of nearly 60 meters and pointing eastwards, allegedly towards his birthplace, Genoa. Located at the bottom of Las Ramblas, the monument was erected in 1888 for the Universal Exposition. Designed by architect Gaietà Buïgas, with the collaboration of local artists and sculptors, the column pays homage to the explorer’s life and expeditions.

Despite the popularity of the iconic landmark, few are aware that a decorative line of cannabis leaves is included in the monument’s decor. Located on the upper part of the pillar, the leaves are in no way hidden, although they went completely unnoticed for decades until chronicler Lluís Permanyer highlighted their significance. Did Columbus smoke marijuana? Do the leaves form part of a secret message included in the design by Buïgas in 1888?

The answer is much simpler and forms part of the history of navigation. As one of the most versatile plants in the world, cannabis was a key material both before and during navigation. Due to the strength of hemp fibers, the ropes and sails of the fleet were made from this part of the plant. Hemp was also suitable because it is both unaffected by salt water and resistant to damp conditions. Oil extracted from the cannabis plant was used during the voyage to keep the lamps on board alight, and seeds of the plant were also kept in abundance. Known to be highly nutritious, the seeds were stored as a back-up food supply in case of shipwreck, as well as also being used for the cultivation of cannabis at the point of destination. Suggestions have also been made that cannabis may have been used for its medicinal value by Columbus and his fellow expeditionists, although this has never been proven.

The plant was a necessity in maritime navigation and the inclusion of the leaves on the Columbus monument is testament to that. There is no doubt that when he set sail for the New World in 1492, the explorer did so with cannabis on board, and some even argue that it was Columbus’ arrival to the Americas that introduced the plant, and subsequently marijuana, to that part of the world.

Originally published November 2017, updated December 20, 2021.