Hello Lovely,
This post is dedicated to Hemp- a plant that gets under recognized and ultimately underused. I am a huge advocate of Hemp and here is why....
Lets get down to the facts..
Hemp is a highly valuable crop and the oilseed and fiber varieties can be used for the production of fabrics, rope, paper, food, health and beauty aids, printing inks, paint, and building materials.
Hemp is not Psychoactive – meaning you CANNOT get high from Hemp.
Hemp seeds are considered the “perfect food” and contain all 10 Essential Amino Acids and a naturally balanced 1:3 ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Essential Fatty Acids
Hemp can provide four times as much pulp for paper with at least 4-7 times less pollution than tree paper.
Hemp can displace wood fiber and save forests for watershed, wildlife habitat, recreation and oxygen production, carbon sequestration (reduces global warming), and other values
Hemp could be made into products such as medium density fiber board, oriented strand board, and even beams, studs and posts. Because of hemp's long fibers, the products will be stronger and/or lighter than those made from wood.
Hemp is a robust plant, and requires no herbicides or pesticides grow.
Hemp can displace cotton which is usually grown with massive amounts of chemicals harmful to people and the environment. 50% of all the world's pesticides are sprayed on cotton.
More Facts....
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew hemp. Ben Franklin owned a mill that made hemp paper. Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on hemp paper.
Because of its importance for sails (the word "canvass" is rooted in "cannabis") and rope for ships, hemp was a required crop in the American colonies.
Henry Ford experimented with hemp to build car bodies. He wanted to build and fuel cars from farm products.
BMW is experimenting with hemp materials in automobiles as part of an effort to make cars more recyclable.
Much of the bird seed sold in the US has hemp seed (it's sterilized before importation), the hulls of which contain about 25% protein.
Rudolph Diesel designed his engine to run on hemp oil.
“The oilseed varieties most commonly grown for food can grow up to 10-15 feet tall within 90-120 days.” Fabrics made of at least one-half hemp block the sun's UV rays more effectively than other fabrics.
BUT...
The USA is the only industrialized country that does NOT allow farmers to grow Hemp!
CLICK to See if your state supports hemp..
CLICK to urge your congressman to support hemp..
