The Rare Truth About Hemp It’s a remarkable natural resource, but in the U.S., you can’t grow it. Hemp is among the world’s oldest cultivated plants, going back more than 10,000 years to the beginnings of agriculture and civilization. The oldest relic of human industry is a bit of hemp fabric dating back to 8,000 BC. US Presidents Washington and Jefferson both grew hemp. Americans were legally bound to grow hemp during the Colonial Era and Early Republic. The federal government subsidized hemp during the Second World War and U.S. farmers grew about a million acres of hemp as part of that program. Hemp seed is nutritious and contains more essential fatty acids than any other source, is second only to soybeans in complete protein (but is more digestible by humans), is high in B-vitamins, and is a good source of dietary fiber. Hemp seed is not psychoactive and cannot be used as a drug (learn more at TestPledge). The bark of the hemp stalk contains fibers that are among the Earth’s longest and softest Hemp fiber is not psychoactive, but it’s longer, stronger, more absorbent, and more insulative than cotton. According to the Department of Energy, hemp is an excellent source of biomass fuel. Its hydrocarbons can be processed into a wide range of biomass energy sources, from fuel pellets to liquid fuels and gas. Development of bio-fuels could significantly reduce our consumption of fossil fuels and nuclear power. Hemp can be grown organically. Only eight of the 100 most prevalent agricultural pests attack it, and hemp is typically grown without herbicides, fungicides or pesticides. Hemp is also a natural weed suppressor due to the fast growth of its canopy. Hemp produces more pulp per acre than timber on a sustainable basis, and can be used for every quality of paper. Hemp paper manufacturing can reduce wastewater contamination. Hemp’s low lignin content reduces the need for acids used in pulping, and its creamy color lends itself to environmentally-friendly bleaching instead of harsh chlorine compounds. Less bleaching results in less dioxin and fewer chemical by-products. Hemp fiber paper resists decomposition, and with an acid-free process, does not yellow with age. Hemp paper more than 1,500 years old survives today. Hemp paper is also more recyclable than wood-based paper. Hemp fiberboard produced by Washington State University was found to be twice as strong as wood-based fiberboard. No additional resins are required due to naturally-occurring lignins. Eco-friendly hemp could replace many toxic petrochemical products. Hemp also appears to be a good source of cellophane, biodegradable plastics, injection-molded products, and resins made from the oil. Over two million cars on the road today, mostly German, use hemp in door panels and dashboards. Countries Growing Industrial Hemp Today The U.S. is the only industrialized nation that does not recognize the value of industrial hemp and permit its cultivation and processing. AUSTRALIA Hemp has been grown around the country since 2004. AUSTRIA’s hemp industry produces seed oil and medicinal preparations. CANADA approved industrial hemp research in 1994. Tens of thousands of acres have been planted, yielding almost four million pounds of seed. CHILE grows hemp for its seed oil. CHINA is the largest exporter of hemp textiles. Hemp garments feel like cotton. The Chinese word for hemp is “ma.” DENMARK has grown hemp since 1997. FINLAND has bred a variety suitable for northern climates called Finola. Hemp has never been prohibited in Finland. In Finnish, it’s “hamppu.” FRANCE has never prohibited hemp and exports low-THC hemp seed for other countries, including the U.S. The French call it “chanvre.” GERMANY banned hemp in 1982, but relegalized research in 1992. Mercedes and BMW use hemp fiber in door panels and dashboards. In German, it’s “hanf.” GREAT BRITAIN lifted hemp prohibition in 1993. Animal bedding, paper and textiles markets have been developed. HUNGARY is one of the biggest exporters of hemp rope, rugs, and fabric to the U.S. The Hungarian word for hemp is “kender.” INDIA uses the plant for cordage, textiles and seed. ITALY has invested in the resurgence of hemp, especially for textiles. Giorgio Armani grows its own. JAPAN has a rich religious tradition involving hemp, and custom requires that the Emperor and Shinto priests wear hemp garments in certain ceremonies. Traditional spice mixes also include hemp seed. Japan supports a thriving retail market for hemp products. The Japanese call it “asa.” NETHERLANDS seed breeders are developing new low-THC varieties. The Dutch word is “hennep.” NEW ZEALAND grows hemp on both islands. POLAND currently grows hemp for fabric, rope, and particle board. Poles have pioneered using hemp to cleanse soils contaminated by heavy metals. In Polish, it’s “konopij.” ROMANIA is Europe’s largest commercial producer of hemp. The country exports to Western Europe and the U.S. The Romanian word is “cinepa.” RUSSIA maintains the largest hemp germplasm collection in the world at the N.I. Vavilov Scientific Research Institute of Plant Industry (VIR) in St. Petersburg. Russians call it “konoplya.” SLOVENIA uses hemp paper for its currency. SPAIN has never prohibited hemp, and uses it to produces rope, textiles, and pulp for paper. The Spanish word is “cañamo.” SWITZERLAND hosts one of the largest hemp trade events, Cannatrade. TURKEY has grown hemp for 2,800 years for rope, caulking, birdseed, paper, and fuel. The Turkish word is “kendir.” UKRAINE, EGYPT, KOREA, PORTUGAL and THAILAND also produce hemp. UNITED STATES granted the first hemp permit in over 40 years to Hawaii for an experimental quarter-acre plot in 1999. The license was renewed, but the project has since been closed because of DEA opposition. But manufacturers have thrived using imported plant materials. Twenty-two states have considered legislation to legalize hemp cultivation, including: VT, HI, ND, MT, MN, IL, VA, NM, CA, AR, KY, MD, WV and ME. For years, the National Conference of State Legislators has endorsed industrial hemp. Source HIA References Chris Conrad, Hemp: Lifeline to the Future Jack Frazier, The Great American Hemp Industry Hemptech, “Industrial Hemp” and “Hemp Horizons”
Posted on: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 06:10:56 +0000
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