What comes to mind when the word “hemp” is mentioned in a conversation? Even with easily accessible information, there still seems to be confusion about the realities of hemp. “Hemp called 'Billion Dollar Crop.' It was the first time a cash crop had a business potential to exceed a billion dollars (Popular Mechanics, 1938) but because of the many uses it possesses, it still remains illegal to grow in the United States. To legally grow cannabis in any of its’ forms in the United States, one must obtain a permit from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) but the strange thing is that the DEA isn’t giving any permits out. In fact, the DEA “has kicked its lobbying against legalizing industrial hemp into high gear” (Grim). The weirdest part about all this fuss is that the government allows for the crop to be imported and Americans are allowed to do whatever they please with it but the crop is illegal to cultivate within the country lines. The reasoning behind this is the shared psychoactive chemical THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) found in both hemp and its’ cousin species, marijuana. The difference is that industrial hemp has 0.03% or less THC and making it impossible to “get high” from hemp because the levels of the psychoactive are so low. The facts all show that hemp isn’t a dangerous plant, it could have so many benefits to the industrial world by use of the fibers, has immense nutritional value from the seeds and oil, and could help environmentally with the international deforestation crisis in comparison to the usual providers, soy, trees and cotton.
Before diving into the wonders of hemp, a little clarification on the differences between hemp and medical grade marijuana will be explored. Marijuana is referred to by a vast number of dif...
... middle of paper ...
...2013.
Haskin-Popp, Cindy. "Soy Vs. Hemp Protein." LIVESTRONG.COM. Ed. George Krucik, MD. Demand Media Inc., 10 Dec. 2010. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.
"Hemp Is Hip, Hot and Happening." Utne. ©VoteHemp, Sept.-Oct. 2004. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.
Kahn, Jared B. "Hemp ... Why Not?" "Hemp...Why Not?" by Jared B. Kahn. Bepress™, 2007. Print.
Leizer, Cary, David Ribnicky, Alexander Poulev, Slavik Dushenkov, and Ilya Raskin. "The Composition of Hemp Seed Oil and Its Potential as an Important Source of Nutrition." Journal of Nutraceuticals, Functional & Medical Foods 2.4 (2000): 35-53. Print.
Mitchell, Dan. "Why Legalized Hemp Will Not Be a Miracle Crop." Modern Farmer. Modern Farmer Media, 2013, 13 Oct. 2013. Web. 02 Dec. 2013.
Rothenberg, Erik. "A Renewal Of Common Sense: The Case for Hemp in 21st Century." (n.d.): n. pag. Rpt. in Vote Hemp Archives. N.p.: ©VoteHemp, 2001. 1-29. Print.
... legal illicit substances? And lastly, what is Marijuana’s effect on our nation and how would legalization change this?
Hemp oil is extracted by pressing the raw hemp seeds from the Cannabis Sativa or hemp plant. While all of the species of Cannabis plants can produce oil, generally only industrial hemp is used to make hemp seed oil. Cold pressed, unrefined hemp oil has a rich, nutty flavor and green tint. But once refined, hemp oil becomes colorless and fairly flavorless.
Thesis: Despite its legal status cannabis and CBD has been recognized as being beneficial in many ways. After all, cannabis and CBD has been medically beneficial when treating pain, seizures, and cancer.
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
Cannabis, originating from Central Asia, is in the plant family Cannabacae and has three types: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis (Baron 2015). Cannabis with higher levels of delta⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹ -THC) and lower levels of cannabidiol (CBD) is referred to as marijuana, while another type of cannabis, “hemp,” has lower levels of delta⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹ -THC), higher levels of cannabidiol (CBD), and no psychoactive affect (2015). Hemp has a prominent history of being in medicine from the Greeks to the Indians (2015). Even before this product came to the west, physicians and scientists alike have been studying and experimenting with cannabis to determine whether it can be used medicinally to treat or help reduce symptoms of any mental or physical illnesses.
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
Wingerchuk, Dean. "Cannabis for Medical Purposes: Cultivating Science, Weeding Out the Fiction." The Lancet 364.9431 (2004): 315-16. Print.
Throughout history people have used marijuana for its dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds to relieve pain, stress, and other medical issues from one’s life. Within the recent years it has become one of the most debated issues in the United States. In the 1930s, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Narcotics (now the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs) claimed that marijuana was a “gateway” drug and was a powerful, addicting substance. During the sixties marijuana became a symbol for rebellion against authority so it became very popular by college students and “hippies”. So in 1982, Drug Enforcement Administration increased pressure on drug farms and houses which decreased the use of marijuana. In the past twenty years marijuana has become a
Lately it seems that drug policy and the war on drugs has been in the headlines quite a lot. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the policies that the United States government takes against illegal drugs are coming into question. The mainstream media is catching on to the message of organizations and individuals who have long been considered liberal "Counter Culture" supporters. The marijuana question seems to be the most prevalent and pressing of the drugs and issues that are currently being addressed. The messages of these organizations and individuals include everything from legalization of marijuana for medical purposes, to full-unrestricted legalization of the drug.
Ever since marijuana’s introduction to the United States of America in 1611, controversy of the use and legalization of the claimed-to-be Schedule I drug spread around the nation. While few selective states currently allow marijuana’s production and distribution, the remaining states still skepticize the harmlessness and usefulness of this particular drug; therefore, it remains illegal in the majority of the nation. The government officials and citizens of the opposing states believe the drug creates a threat to citizens due to its “overly-harmful” effects mentally and physically and offers no alternate purposes but creating troublesome addicts hazardous to society; however, they are rather misinformed about marijuana’s abilities. While marijuana has a small amount of negligible effects to its users, the herbal drug more importantly has remarkable health benefits, and legalizing one of the oldest and most commonly known drugs would redirect America’s future with the advantages outweighing the disadvantages.
Ackerman, Elise. "The Latest Buzz on Hemp." U.S. News & World Report, March 15, 2008. 50.
The legalization of marijuana has been a highly debated topic for many of years. Since the first president to the most recent, our nation’s leaders have consumed the plant known as weed. With such influential figures openly using this drug why is it so frowned upon? Marijuana is considered a gateway drug, a menace to society, and mentally harmful to its consumers. For some people weed brings a sense of anxiety, dizziness, or unsettling feeling. Like alcohol, tobacco or any other drug, those chemicals may not respond well with their body. For other people marijuana brings joy, a sense of relief, and takes the edge off of every day stress. For those who are associated with cannabis, purposes usually range from a relaxant, or cash crop, to more permissible uses such as medicine, and ingredient to make so many other materials. We now need to look at what would change if marijuana were legal. Benefits to the economy and agriculture, health issues, and crime rates are three areas worth looking at. Deliberating on the pros and cons of this plant we can get a better understanding for marijuana. From there it will be easier to make a clear consensus on what is best for the nation.
Also, the medical sales of marijuana would create an alternative source of natural medicine that has less harmful side-effects than some prescription medicines. Another more practical use for the cannabis plant is “hemp”. Hemp is another variety of cannabis that is used mainly for its fiber, oil, and seeds. The fiber can be used to make anything from clothes to cars, as Henry Ford shows us with his 1941 car made of hemp fibers mixed with other types of plant fibers, and ran off of hemp biofuel (Lance).... ...
...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.
Stanley, Janet E., Stanley J. Watson, and John A. Benson. Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base. Washington D.C.: National Academy P, 1999.