Would it be possible to produce from the same source any types of paper, healthy soap, durable houses, omega-3 rich ice cream, stylish clothes, and bio-diesel? Would it be possible to do it organically and sustainability, with no pesticides and considerably less water? Well, yes, it’s very possible, just not here in the United States.
Hemp is the answer to these possibilities. Here in Santa Cruz, a town well educated in marijuana, seemingly little is known about hemp. While hemp and marijuana are both plants of the Cannabis genus, hemp can’t be smoked like marijuana. Most hemp contains zero percent Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana. Some contain at most, 0.3 percent THC, while marijuana contains anywhere between six percent to over 20 percent THC. So rest assured that marijuana smokers will, in fact, not be setting hemp t-shirts and soaps ablaze in their backyards in hopes of getting high.
The first annual, Hemp History Week, hopes to clarify these and other misconceptions about hemp and educate the public about the various beneficial and ecological uses of hemp. Between May 17 to May 23, Hemp History Week will host over fifty events nationwide, including a few here in Santa Cruz.
On Wednesday, May 19, Melissa Collins, owner of Livity Outernational and Elaine Berke, owner of Eco Goods, will be co-hosting an event in honor of Hemp History Week. From 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Eco Goods, there will be various samples of hemp products, educational talks about hemp, fun quizzes every 15 minutes with hemp prizes, and a showing of Hemp for Victory, a short film made by the U.S. government in the 1940’s to encourage farmers to grow hemp. Collins and Berke are most excited about their fashion sho...
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...s of acres of timber forests and numerous paper mills, was threatened by hemp, which could not only produce four times the amount of paper per acre, but also could be regrown yearly. “It’s ridiculous,” says Collins. “We don’t ever need to cut down another tree.”
As it stands, today in 2010, hemp is still confused with marijuana. With the exception of the United States, hemp, a $360 billion industry, is grown in every industrialized country including China, which has tougher laws against marijuana than the United States. At all the Hemp History Week events, visitors are encouraged to sign postcards to the president to lift the ban on hemp. “If we allowed our farmers to grow this, rather than importing foreign grow hemp, it could help our economy vastly,” says Berge. “It could be so beneficial to us, it could provide jobs and so many more opportunities.”
Hemp was viewed as a threat to several competing industries which caused them to create a smear campaign against hemp. By associating hemp with marijuana and by creating the propaganda film “Reefer Madness” this caused hysteria amongst the population (History of Hemp, n.d.). Hemp prohibition started in the 1930s. Hemp was grouped under the umbrella of marijuana and effectively made illegal under the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act. Furthermore, In 1970 Industrial hemp was classified as marijuana under the Controlled Substance Act in spite of decades of government-funded research that identified industrial hemp to have a unique structure and function (Hemp’s History, n.d.). In spite of Hemp being illegal in America, Hemp is legally grown in about 30 countries around the world, with China and France as the leading producers of hemp. Canada our neighbor to the north legalized Hemp cultivation in 1998. Farmers, there must have a licensed and also grow approved low-THC seeds. Hemp grown in Canada has to be tested to ensure they contain less than 0.3 percent THC. This essay will
There are many different words for what was originally considered, “hemp” to the ancient world. Some are, cannabis, marijuana, weed, and pot. Over time, the different words have reflected the views and uses of hemp through different societies and time periods. Hemp dates back to the early Mesopotamian days in what is considered Turkey today. It is the first known plant to be domestically cultivated. According to research, “The oldest relic of human history is hemp fabric dated to 8,000 BCE.” In 1492, Christopher Columbus brought hemp as a rope to America. His ships were full of hemp fabric used for uniforms, parachutes, ropes, sails, baggage, shoes and many more military uses. To free the American colonies from England press, Benjamin Franklin started a paper mill, which used cannabis to create paper and print books. This allowed America to have free colonial press from Britian without having to ask for them. The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were both drafted on hemp paper. Betsey Ross made the first flag of the United States of America out of hemp, which was the strongest known fiber at the time. “Farmers from 1942 through 1945 who agreed to grow hemp were waived from serving in the military, along with their sons; that is how vitally important hemp was to America during World War II.” Henry Ford also used hemp-based plastic to create vehicles, which was proven to be stronger and lighter than steel and could withstand much more impact without denting. He also used hemp-based ethanol fuel, which was more efficient. Hemp had been used widely throughout the United States before it became illegal and served many purposes.
Our society as a whole is being closed-minded when making decisions. We are accepting ideals from 50-60 years ago and letting negative views and affiliations keep us from a very abundant, and renewable resource. We could literally boost our economy over-night, and I am just not talking about one single industry. Right now we know of a plant that can be used for numerous benefits, but we are not using it up to its potential. That plant is Cannabis. I’m not going to talk about how medical marijuana and that every state should legalize it. I am not even going to talk about the medical/drug use of marijuana at all. I am going to talk about hemp. Hemp is a variety of the cannabis plant. It is the world’s longest, strongest, and most durable of all
...es more paper than a regular tree, so people who consume the hemp products is another way to help the forest grow, and allow the animals to footing instead of extinct. Moreover, legalizing marijuana is able to create a lot of jobs for many people for production because hemp can be used to make oil, clothing, soaps, lip balms butter, and rope. Therefore, legalizing marijuana will be made the society safer and more valuable.
In 1940, the import of hemp during World War II was a big factor in creating supplies such as parachutes or cordage. In the 1960’s, President Kennedy found from research that marijuana does not induce violence or lead to heavier drug use. George Washington, the first president of our beloved country, grew cannabis on his plantations. Thomas Jefferson also grew hemp as a reliable
“Throughout Washington’s farm diary he spoke about the quality of seeds, always taking care to sow seeds in best areas on his farm. He documented the importance of cultivating seeds at the proper time taking care to pull the male plants from the females. In 1790’s Washington began cultivating “Indian hemp” which he said produced the best quality of plant, and noted its superior quality to common hemp mostly grown during that time.” [1]
Industrial hemp is commonly cultivated for its fiber and seed, which are used to create a wide variety of products, including food, rope, cloth, paper, fuel, building materials, and hygiene products, such as soaps and lotions. Unlike marijuana, which is cultivated for medicinal, and recreational use, hemp is not psychoactive. Hemp differs from marijuana ingrowth structure and farming practice. While marijuana is cultivated primarily for its flowers, hemp is cultivated for its fibers and seeds, which are used for a wide variety of non-drug applications. Because of the way it grows, it produces much lower cannabinoid content than cannabis grown for euphoric or medicinal purposes. What we refer to as “hemp” or “industrial hemp” is a type of
If we change our habits of using paper and switch to a better product (hemp), we could completely change the world we are living today. Just imagine a world where, instead of nasty polluting paper factories, they are replaced with clean and environmentally friendly hemp factories. Instead of all the cut down trees and endangered animals, we have plush luscious trees and happy creatures running and prancing about. Instead of killing homes for animals we plant more and watch them grow. This can only happen if everyone gets involved.
It was the Spanish who brought marijuana to America in 1545. Soon enough, it became a major commercial crop like tobacco in 1611. By 1890, marijuana was used in some medicines, and it began to catch on in the 1920’s, the same era of prohibition of alcohol. Hemp began to be one of the largest agricultural crops in the word. This was due to its incredibly robust and durable qualities. It was used for fabric, lighting oil, paper, fiber, dynamite, cellophane, and many more. Most textiles were actually made out of hemp at this time (The Union: The Business Behind Getting High).
Marijuana was a large part of culture throughout the entire world, it has been around for thousands of years and still continues to grow. Hemp was a large help with early American settlers, the hollow stalk was used to make clothing, rope and paper. Hemp was used well before this though, the Chinese used it to make fishing nets and bow strings for their archers. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who are considered to be forefathers for America, both grew hemp. Benjamin Franklin owned a mill that made hemp paper. Early drafts of the Declaration of Independence were written on paper that was made of hemp. During World War II, the US supply of hemp was cut off by the Japanese, and the US Army and the Department of Agriculture promoted the “Hemp for Victory” campaign, which encouraged farmers to grow hemp for the cause of the war. Hemp was also used in making sails and ropes for ships. In 1937, the Marijuana
The history of marijuana in the United States dates to early colonial times. ``In 1619, America's first marijuana law was enacted at Jamestown Colony, Va., `ordering' all farmers to `make tryal of' (grow) Indian hemp seed.” (Tribune) A by-product of the cannabis plant is hemp. Today, hemp can be used to make fabrics, construction, paper, medicines, oils, body care products, and molded plastics. In colonial times hemp was used to make various textile products and in the 1800s hemp was found to have medicinal benefits. Herer says in his book, The Emperor Wears No Clothes, “various marijuana and hashish extracts were the first, second or third most-prescribed medicines in the United States from 1842 until the 1890s. (Herer) For centuries people have recognized the medicinal properties of cannabis; “depending on the c...
From what we know, marijuana has been around for over 10,000 years. Located in Taiwan. However, even though this drug, or should I say crop, has been around for countless years, you won't find it in a history book. The people in Taiwan had figured out that not only could they use the hemp plant as a good food source, but they could also use it to make paper as well as fishing nets. So not only could hemp or marijuana benefit us in the medical era, it could benefit the facing industry and possibly the fisherman all over the country. People are so quick to judge this drug rather than give it a chance.
...roducts” (“What is Hemp” 2). With this incredible proficiency in mind, the unemployment rate in the U.S. would decrease as every industry and market will want to jump at the cultivation of hemp. Marijuana, as a recreational drug, would also strengthen our economy if taxed. Its taxation would generate “$6.2 billion annually in revenue” without any of the overwhelming costs that alcohol and tobacco carry (Moffatt 1). It’s most dramatic effect on the economy would be its decriminalization. Its decriminalization would save $8.7 billion annually, “$1 billion on the incarcerations of marijuana delinquents” and another “$7.7 billion” in prohibition expenditures (Moffatt 1.) Ultimately, marijuana should be legalized because its effects on the economy would steadily lower the U.S. national debt and unemployment through its creation of jobs, taxation, and decriminalization.
American colonists planted the first hemp crops near Jamestown, Virginia in 1611 (Mehling, 2003). The hemp was used for a variety of textiles, including sails, ropes, maps and even clothing because of its durability and resilience to mildew. With the New Land having an ideal climate for the growing of the Cannabis plant, King James I of England mandated the cultivation and relied heavil...
Hemp a derivative of marijuana that does not produce the get high chemical most marijuana plants create is the fastest growing resource crop. Did you know eighty percent of all clothes made in the 1900 was made from hemp string. We can make paper, medicine, oil, fuel, food, and mulch out of hemp, that of course only being the tip of the iceberg in utilization of the plant. Imagine the world harvesting hemp instead of tree’s for paper. This of course would be the bandaid that heals the world. back into environmental stability. Of the topic of the we can directly talk about what marijuana legalization will do for the people. With shops pooping up around the world we can open a new market of jobs for people to commit and make a living. In Colorado alone an estimated seven million dollars was made in tax revenue for the state, instead for example the eight million New York spends on enforcing