The Saving Grace Of Hemp

THE SAVING GRACE OF HEMP

Is there any way to solve the economic and environmental problems of our time? The price of gas has skyrocketed. Pollution from factories creating synthetic products is causing medical problems and global warming. The North Pole is shrinking! What if there was one plant, one sustainable, natural resource that could solve these issues and more? Would we take advantage? The hemp plant is the missing link in our economic and environmental problem solving strategies. It has a strong history, thousands of uses, and the concerns surrounding this plant are unfounded.

"Make the most you can of the Indian hemp seed, and sow it everywhere." - George Washington. Both US past presidents Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were hemp farmers. Our great forefathers of this country knew the benefits of the hemp plant. Why have we forgotten? For centuries, millennia actually, this plant has served multiple purposes for every culture on this planet. According to Chris Conrad in the book Hemp, Lifeline to the Future, "Hemp was the first plant known to have been cultivated. About 10,000 years ago, hemp industries appeared simultaneously in China and Eurasia for the production of textile fiber" (6). If the very first farmers grew crops out of necessity and only became successful after many trial and errors cultivated hemp, it must've been a good idea. On the website "Hemp as a natural alternative", it states: "The oldest relic of human industry is a bit of hemp fabric dating back to approximately 8,000 BC." How much do you want to bet it was actually hemp leaves that Adam and Eve used to cover themselves that big day? Years went by, and the production of hemp spread around the world. "By 3,000 years BC, hemp was considered the most important textile..." ("Hemp as a natural alternative"). During WWII, the US government distributed 400,000 pounds of hemp seed to US farmers for the war effort! For hundreds of years, sails and ropes on ships were made from hemp. Hemp is still used on some ships today because it resists mildew and "...remains pliable in extreme conditions where plastic based ropes become brittle and crack" ("Hemp as a natural alternative"). Until the 1880's, more than Ñ* of the world's paper was made from hemp. This plant has a rich and complex history in our world!

The different parts of the hemp plant have many uses. Some of which include fabrics, paper, rope, building materials, carpet, tampons, and even diapers! According to Jack Herer in his book: The Emperor Wears No Clothes, some other uses include: "...art canvas; paints and varnishes; lighting oil; biomass energy; medicine; food oils and protein; economic stability, profit and free trade; smoking, leisure and creativity" (5-11).

Some interesting facts found on "Hemp as a natural alternative" website about these uses are:

1. Textiles and fabrics: "Hemp fibre is the longest, strongest, most durable, most elastic and most absorbent natural fibre. One acre of hemp will produce as much fibre as 2-3 acres of cotton with considerable less chemical application."

2. Fiber and pulp paper: "Hemp paper lasts longer, is more durable, than tree based paper, and requires no chlorides or bleaches. It also doesn't turn yellow or creak like tree based paper." Also, hemp paper can be recycled about 7 times more than paper made of trees.

3. Paints and varnishes: "Hemp oil can make oil based paints and varnishes with little or no cost to the environment. These paints last longer and the varnishes are better absorbed by wood than others products."

4. Building materials: "Hemp building materials provide insulation, elasticity and breathability. Most are fire, water and rodent resistant or proof. Hemp boards are three times stronger than wood. Hemp building materials require less processing than timber based building materials."

5. Food oils and protein: "Hemp seed is the most complete food source containing all 8 essential amino acids, both essential amino acids, as well as fibre, carbohydrates and vitamins and minerals. Its production and processing use minimal chemicals." Also, the HIA website adds this: "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." It doesn't taste too bad either!

6. The medicinal properties