In the past few decades, we've gotten a good idea of what Shakespeare was doing as businessman, aside from the theater he owned in London. He comes across as a canny, rather ruthless man. In London, he was busy earning a fortune with real-estate speculation, rentals and loan sharking. In Stratford, his wife was running the more agricultural side of things. When he retired from the theater and returned to Stratford, he expanded the small-town operations of wool exporting, and grain trades. Here's the interesting thing: he may have been suffering side effects of the mercury treatment for a dose of the clap. Using cannabis would be a good way to alleviate the considerable pain and tremors involved. That would sure explain the pipes on his property. His son-in-law was a doctor and may have suggested it. Further, our dear old Bard, sharp dealer that he was, may have hit upon the idea of growing and marketing the stuff.

Much ado about nothing.