|
|
|
The Constitution was actually drafted on hemp paper
|
|
|
 |
|
Perfect Balance....Hemp for our Health
Nature's ideal 3:1 ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3
Essential Fatty Acids, along with GLA
About Industrial Hemp
Hemp is one of the purest, most complete plants on Earth, commonly referred to as a supper food. For thousands of years, hempseed and hemp oil has be used for human nourishment.
There are over 24,000 uses for hemp and they are varied; of particular value are the nutritional and healing properties of Hemp seed and its oil.
Hemp grows almost anywhere and requires no pesticides or fertilizer. The plant is good both for the soil and the atmosphere. The potential for Hemp is vast - including sustainable bio-mass (power) and bio-diesel (fuel) in addition to ever growing list of health benefits.
Hemp also makes an excellent source of textile and paper. People have been using hemp to make textile for some 5000 years worldwide. The hemp plant grows to heights of 5 to 8 meters (15-20 foot) and the fiber, when stripped from the plant, is as long as the plant itself, giving hemp added strength when woven into textile.
The fibers are long and very strong, making the most beautiful fabric and paper. Many of the world's most famous historical works are written on Hemp paper. The first bible was printed on Hemp paper and has lasted over 1300 years without the paper turning yellow as it does with current paper from wood pulp.
|
|
Industrial Hemp Definition:
Cannabis sativa L. subsp. sativa var. sativa is the variety grown for industrial use in many countries, while C. sativa subsp. indica generally has poor fiber quality and is primarily used for production of recreational and medicinal drugs. The major difference between the two types of plants is the appearance and the amount of ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) secreted in a resinous mixture by epidermal hairs called glandular trichomes, although they can also be distinguished by genetic means. Strains of Cannabis approved for industrial hemp production produce only minute amounts of this psychoactive drug, not enough for any physical or psychological effects. Typically, hemp contains below 0.3% THC, while Cannabis grown for marijuana can contain anywhere from 6 or 7 % to 20% or even more "Wikipedia"
Historical Facts
Industrial Hemp was commercially produced in the 1800’s in many parts of the world. It was used to manufacture rope, cloth, sails and paper etc. The seed was crushed for oil, food and feed. The introduction of cotton and petroleum products and new processing techniques for these products lead to the demise of the hemp industry in the early 1900’s. Legislated changes in North America at the time also made the propagation of known varieties virtually impossible.
Industrial hemp production has remained legal throughout most of the world. The world hemp fibre market continues to be dominated by many of the low cost producers. China, South Korea, and the Former Soviet Union produce about 70% of the world supply. China alone produces about three fourths of the world supply of hemp fibre. Until the early 2000’s, there has been a steady decline of world acreage.
In the 1930’s, the anti-marijuana crusade gained momentum in North America with the passage of an act in USA that prohibited its use and circulation. Canada followed suit in 1938 with the passage of the Opium and Narcotics Control Act. This was basically the end of hemp production in North America until the mid 1990’s. Hemp varieties with low THC levels have been developed, and in March of 1998 the ban was lifted, permitting the production of hemp under license with Health Canada. Canada has adopted a THC level of 0.3 per cent as the concentration that separates non-narcotic from narcotic cultivars.
• The British Empire was built on hemp. The ships all used hemp, from the sails to the ropes down to the sailor's uniforms. At one point Britain and France went to war over protecting the Russian hemp supplies, as the Russian hemp made the strongest sails and ropes.
• The American Declaration of Independence 200 years ago was signed on paper made from hemp.
• George Washington was a hemp farmer....
• The war of 1812 involving America and Great Britain was sparked by the desire of each country to dominate Russian hemp supplies.
• Russian hemp production was also the primary reason Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812.
Links
Industrial Hemp in the United States: Status and Market Potential
http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/AGES001e/
|
|
|
