THE FACTS ABOUT HEMP
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 U.S. 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 waste-water 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 by-products.
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 petro-chemical 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.
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