HEMP HISTORY
Since 1937 one plant has been held hostage by Federal laws. Due to outdated attitudes and drug war paranoia in Washington, the many uses of this vital plant have been limited, and its growth has been prohibited.
Hemp, (otherwise known as marijuana because of its psychoactive cousin), is currently classified as a “drug” under the Controlled Substances Act, although it poses no public health or safety danger. Hemp is a distinct variety of the plant species cannabis sativa L that contains less than 1% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). This is the psychoactive chemical that “gets you high”. According to David West, PhD, “The THC levels in industrial hemp are so low that no one could ever get high from smoking it. Moreover, hemp contains a relatively high percentage of another cannabinoid CBD, that actually blocks the marijuana high. Hemp, it turns out, is not only not marijuana; it could be called anti-marijuana”. The UN Single Treaty Convention on Narcotic Drugs, article 28, #2 states, “This Convention shall not apply to the cultivation of the cannabis plant exclusively for industrial purposes, (fiber and seed) or horticultural purposes.
The industrial hemp plant has thousands of uses including textiles, paper, food, paint, bio-fuels, automobile parts, plastics and fiberboard. In ancient times, people added handfuls of hemp fiber to their clay to strengthen the bricks used for building. In France houses are being built from hemp that are fire and termite resistant. Tree free hemp paper can be made without dioxin and can be recycled 10 times more than tree pulp paper. An acre of hemp produces more pulp than 4 acres of trees. In 1916 a USDA Agriculture Bulletin reported that our forests were being cut down 3 times faster than they grew. It called for alternatives to the use of timber and recommended using hemp pulp for paper instead of tree pulp.
For textiles, an acre of land will produce 2-3 times as much hemp fiber as cotton, and requires little to no pesticides or herbicides. Hemp leaves the soil in excellent condition (even removing heavy metals) for any succeeding crop, especially when weeds may otherwise be a problem. Hemp anchors and protects the soil from runoff, and during reforestation tree roots will follow the path loosened by hemp roots so trees grow quicker.
The seed from the hemp plant plays an important role in nutrition for humans, livestock and birds. Hemp seed is a complete source of protein, second only to soy and contains the highest concentration of essential amino and fatty acids found in any food. This seed could replace the animal protein fed to livestock at far less cost to the health of people and our planet. It is also perfect for a vegetarian and vegan diet.
By utilizing a renewable resource, the hemp industry has the potential to help move our economy in a more sustainable direction, and one that is more socially and environmentally responsible. Since hemp grows well in most climates and offers amazing product versatility, it has the potential to stimulate commercial activity that benefits both humans and the ecology.
“Make the most of the hempseed, sow it everywhere”
President George Washington, 1794
During Colonial days, hemp was a cornerstone of civil development, and its production was considered necessary. England and Holland hoped their American colonies would furnish enough hemp for their great navies. Hemp has always been important to the United States economics and was exchanged as money throughout most of the Americas from 1631 to the early 1800’s. Hempen paper was used to draft the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. Colonial women sewed soldier’s uniforms and flags from the tough hemp fibers. Baggage, cordage and twines as well as ropes and sails were all made with hemp. Oil for lamps was pressed from the seed and was also used for paints.
As the American Revolution approached, patriot Thomas Paine insisted that the colonies were strong enough to break free from old King George’s oppression and rise to their own greatness, in part “because hemp flourishes here”.
The War of 1812—the inspiration of the National Anthem –was provoked by the end of American smuggling activities involving hemp on behalf of England. Hemp was the “fuel” of earlier times, and the governments then, as now, were eager to go to war to insure their energy sources.
After Pearl Harbor, when hemp imports were cut-off to the United States, US farmers were once again asked to grow hemp for the war, although it had been prohibited to grow without special permit since 1937. The US Dept. of Agriculture film, “Hemp for Victory” was shown in theaters and Grange halls across the land. This hemp was used to bind millions of pairs of boots for American soldiers, hemp twine was used for tying and upholstery, and every battleship required 34,000 feet of rope. In fact, the parachute that saved George H. W. Bush’s life during World War II was rigged with hemp. Even 4H clubs across America were planting their own hemp patch to boost the hemp team effort. By war’s end nearly a million acres of hemp had been cultivated to support the troops.
By 1957 prohibitionists, had reasserted a total ban on the domestic hemp industry, which has been in effect ever since.
Today’s hemp industry is a thriving commercial success despite the Governments refusal to let American farmers be a part of this economic growth. US retailers and manufacturers annually import 2 million pounds of hemp fiber, 450,000 pounds of hemp seeds and 331 pounds of hempseed oil from Canada and other nations. The European Union currently subsidizes farmers to grow hemp. A number of US states have commissioned studies recommending hemp as a viable crop and legislation has been enacted in some states allowing farmers to grow hemp, although Federal approval still remains necessary, but seldom given. According to the Global Hemp website, in 2002 Canadian farmers seeded 3,800 acres, harvested 2 million pounds of hemp, with estimates that half would be sold to US manufacturers. In a July 1998 study issued by the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Kentucky, researchers concluded that Kentucky hemp farmers could earn a net profit of $600 per acre for certified seeds, and $320 per acre for hemp straw and grain production. The only crop found to be more profitable was tobacco.
On February 6, 2004, after several years of litigation, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals permanently enjoined an attempt by the DEA to regulate foodstuffs containing materials derived from hemp, opening the way to even greater commercialization of hemp products than exists today in the United States. The Court held that Congress had explicitly exempted industrial hemp from its definition of THC in the Controlled Substances Act, and that the DEA would have to go through well-defined procedures to “schedule” hemp as a controlled substance.
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture recently urged the USDA, the DEA, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy to develop and adopt an official definition of industrial hemp. They also urged Congress to distinguish statutorily between industrial hemp and marijuana and to direct the DEA to revise its policies to allow the USDA to regulate hemp farming.
“The marketplace, not myopic rules, should determine hemps future in America.”
New York Times Editorial board, April 11, 1998
Hemp is the natural competition that the timber and synthetic products industries don’t want you to know about. It is part of a sustainable economy that will help wean us from dependence on foreign energy sources. This new economy will help farmers to be an integral part of the restoration of rural America.
What can you do to help? BUY HEMP!!!
As simple as this may sound, that is what will create the demand for more hemp fiber and for the re-legalizing of this astoundingly useful plant. As soon as hemp becomes the billion dollar crop again, every major corporation will want on the hemp wagon and this versatile crop will once again wave from sea to shining sea.
This hemp information has been brought to you by….
For Mother Earth
Beads~Hemp~Gems
13857 Hwy 5 South
Norfork, AR 72658
Member of the HIA (Hemp Industry Association) since 1996
Sandie & Tom Cloud
and
For Mother Earth #2 ~ Hardy
hemp, beads & peaceful things
209 East Main St. / P.O. Box 191
Hardy, AR 72542
Past Member HIA (Hemp Industry Association)
Page Nall & Sanford Pass
