Ok now that I have read the thread again, (well most of it)
I can honestly apologize for the Nazi comment.
That was a bad day at work...
My view:
Hemp is neato. Hemp is strong.
If you think it's just for stoners, then you are WRONG.
Oh I crack myself up!
If you think hemp is an amazing natural resource, then use it.
If you don't like, then ignore it.
Some facts off the top of my head:
Hemp was used for rope in the US Navy for DECADES.
Henry Ford experimented with a prototype body panel made from hemp.(like fiberglass)
Chris King makes a hemp shop apron!! THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!
A few more facts (from just 1 google search):
From the HIA:
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
Richard Rose, Rella Good Cheese Co.
Hemptech, Industrial Hemp and Hemp Horizons
Dr. Brooks Kelly
I can honestly apologize for the Nazi comment.
That was a bad day at work...
My view:
Hemp is neato. Hemp is strong.
If you think it's just for stoners, then you are WRONG.
Oh I crack myself up!
If you think hemp is an amazing natural resource, then use it.
If you don't like, then ignore it.
Some facts off the top of my head:
Hemp was used for rope in the US Navy for DECADES.
Henry Ford experimented with a prototype body panel made from hemp.(like fiberglass)
Chris King makes a hemp shop apron!! THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!
A few more facts (from just 1 google search):
From the HIA:
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
Richard Rose, Rella Good Cheese Co.
Hemptech, Industrial Hemp and Hemp Horizons
Dr. Brooks Kelly
