Home Drink & Drugs
If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Read the community guidelines before posting ✨
Options

one of the worlds most versatile plants.

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
HEMP FACTS
1) Hemp is among the oldest industries on the planet, going back more than 10,000 years to the beginnings of pottery. The Columbia History of the World states that the oldest relic of human industry is a bit of hemp fabric dating back to approximately 8,000 BC.

2) 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 US farmers grew about a million acres of hemp as part of that program.

3) Hemp Seed is far more nutritious than even soybean, 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 35% dietary fiber. Hemp Seed does not contain THC.

4) The bark of the hemp stalk contains bast fibers which are among the Earth's longest natural soft fibers and are also rich in cellulose; the cellulose and hemi-cellulose in its inner woody core are called hurds. Hemp stalk contains no THC. Hemp fiber is longer, stronger, more absorbent and more insulative than cotton fiber.

5) According to the Department of Energy and Dr. Brooks Kelly, Hemp as a biomass fuel producer requires the least specialized growing and processing procedures of all hemp products. The hydrocarbons in hemp can be processed into a wide range of biomass energy sources, from fuel pellets to liquid fuels and gas. Development of biofuels could significantly reduce our consumption of fossil fuels and nuclear power.

6) Hemp grows well without herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides. Almost half of the agricultural chemicals used on US crops are applied to cotton.

7) 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 it's creamy color lends itself to environmentally friendly bleaching instead of harsh chlorine compounds. Less bleaching results in less dioxin and fewer chemical byproducts.

8) Hemp fiber paper resists decomposition, and does not yellow with age when an acid-free process is used. Hemp paper more than 1,500 years old has been found. It can also be recycled more times.

9) Hemp fiberboard produced by Washington State University was found to be twice as strong as wood-based fiberboard.

10) Eco-friendly hemp can replace most toxic petrochemical products. Research is being done to use hemp in manufacturing biodegradable plastic products: plant-based cellophane, recycled plastic mixed with hemp for injection-molded products, and resins made from the oil, to name just a very few examples.



TODAY'S HEMP INDUSTRY
AUSTRALIA allows research crops. And in Victoria, Australia commercial production is now licensed.

AUSTRIA has a hemp industry including production of hempseed oil, medicinal's and Hanf magazine.

CANADA started to license research crops in 1994 on an experimental basis. In addition to crops for fiber, one seed crop was experimentally licensed in 1995. Many acres were planted in 1997. Canada now licenses for commercial agriculture with thousands of acres planted in 1998. Over 30,000 acres were planted in 1999

CHILE grows hemp mostly for seed oil production.

CHINA is the largest exporter of hemp paper and textiles. (ma)

DENMARK planted its first modern hemp trials in 1997. Committed to utilizing organic methods.

FINLAND has had a resurgence of hemp beginning in 1995 with several small test crops. The Finnish word for hemp is hamppu.

FRANCE harvested 10,000 tons in 1994. France is the main source of viable low THC hempseed. The French word for hemp is chanvre.

GERMANY only banned hemp in 1982, but research began in 1992 and many technologies and products are being developed. Clothes and paper are being made from imported raw materials. Germany lifted the ban on growing hemp November, 1995. The German word for hemp is hanf.

GREAT BRITAIN lifted hemp prohibition in 1993. Animal bedding, paper and textiles have been developed. A government grant was given to develop new markets for natural fibers. 4,000 acres were grown in 1994. Subsidies of $230 Eng. pounds per acre are given by the govt. for growing.

HUNGARY is rebuilding their hemp industry, and is one of the biggest exporters of hemp cordage, rugs and hemp fabric to the US They also export hemp seed and hemp paper. The Hungarian word for hemp is kender.

INDIA has large stands of naturalized Cannabis and uses it for cordage, textiles, and seed oil.

JAPAN has a religious tradition which requires that the Emperor wear hemp garments, so there is a small plot maintained for the imperial family only. They continue to import for cloth and artistic applications. The Japanese word for hemp is asa.

NETHERLANDS is conducting a four year study to evaluate and test hemp for paper, and is developing processing equipment. Seed breeders are developing new strains of low THC varieties. The Dutch word for hemp is hennep.

POLAND currently grows hemp for fabric and cordage and manufactures hemp particle board. They have demonstrated the benefits of using hemp to cleanse soils contaminated by heavy metals. The Polish word for hemp is konopij.

ROMANIA is the largest commercial producer of hemp in Europe. Total acreage in 1993 was 40,000 acres. Some of it is exported to Hungary for processing. They also export to Western Europe and the United States. The Romanian word for hemp 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 Saint Petersburg. They are in need of funds. The Russian word for hemp is konoplya.

SLOVENIA grows hemp and manufactures currency paper.

SPAIN grows and exports hemp pulp for paper and produces rope and textiles. The Spanish word for hemp is canamo.

SWITZERLAND is a producer of hemp. The Swiss words for hemp are hanf, chanvre or canapa depending on whether you are in the French, German or Italian speaking area of the country.

EGYPT, KOREA, PORTUGAL, THAILAND, and the UKRAINE also produce hemp.

UNITED STATES granted the first hemp permit in 40 years to Hawaii for an experimental quarter acre plot in 1999. Importers and manufacturers have thrived using imported raw materials. Twenty states in the United States have introduced legislation. VT, HI, ND, MT, MN, IL, VA, CA, AR, & MD have legislated for support, research, or cultivation with bills or resolutions. Three states have initiatives pending: CO, AK, MI.

Bibliography
Chris Conrad, Hemp: Lifeline to the Future
Jack Frazier, The Great American Hemp Industry

Comments

  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    "Hemp seed oil may be nature's most perfectly balanced oil. It contains an ideal 3:1 ratio of omega-6's [linoleic acid] to omega-3's [alpha-linolenic acid] for long-term use, and provides the omega-6 derivative gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)."
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    in the 18th century the u.k was the worlds biggest grower and importer of hemp. mostly to make ropes for the biggest naval and merchant fleet the world has ever seen. also canvas sails. the word canvas comes from thearabic word for cannabis.
    the saying "smoking old rope" came about because the hundreds of thousands of people employed in the british hemp industry did just that.

    hemp4vic.jpg
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    whyhemp
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    its a very eco friendly fabric too, as the plants are very naturally resistant to disease and parasites, unlike cotton (the cotton industry causes mass pollution) hemp is very hardwearing and its also very absorbant. in the reign of Elizabeth the 1st it was illegal for anyone with over a certain amount of land NOT to grow hemp because of its value as a rope making fibre.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by morrocan roll
    "Hemp seed oil may be nature's most perfectly balanced oil. It contains an ideal 3:1 ratio of omega-6's [linoleic acid] to omega-3's [alpha-linolenic acid] for long-term use, and provides the omega-6 derivative gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)."

    I've also read that hemp is indeed the most perfect source of all necessary nutrients for the body. It truly is a wonder plant. Makes one wonder just why governments still refuse to acknowledge it's usefulness. Could it be because big industries like paper mills, etc...are pouring money into the pockets of politicians?
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    ive heard that one of the reasons it was originally legislated against in America was because the cotton industry knew that hemp was a superior product to cotton, and the government was under a lot of pressure from the cotton industry, yet they covered it all up with their reefer madness campaign, making out it was a killer drug and a terrible thing.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by rainbow brite
    ive heard that one of the reasons it was originally legislated against in America was because the cotton industry knew that hemp was a superior product to cotton, and the government was under a lot of pressure from the cotton industry, yet they covered it all up with their reefer madness campaign, making out it was a killer drug and a terrible thing.

    Yep, that sounds about normal for the American government. Just think of all the trees and plants that could be saved if hemp was used instead, and all the oil spills and pollution that could be avoided.
Sign In or Register to comment.