Probably the first thing you think of at the mention of hemp is marijuana. (Origin of the word marijuana is unknown, both time and place of the origin. Suspected to be of Spanish descent from the names, Maria and Juana, to form the slang term Mary Jane.) It has also been suggested that the phrase marijuana come from the Guess again, though hemp and marijuana come from the same plant, Cannabis sativa. Both varieties of plant contain THC, the active ingredient in marijuana but commercial hemp contains low levels of THC and is essentially useless for getting ‘high.’
One thing that is apparent and sad, is that many people vying for the legalization of marijuana often intermix and confuse the properties and values of commercial hemp with the recreational drug marijuana. The purpose of this article is to present the case for the legalization and benefits of commercial hemp. This article is not intended or aimed at the discussion of hemp as a recreational drug.
The History of Hemp
Hemp has a long history in the world, with the first documented use about 8000 years ago in the form of fabric as found used to make fabric. It also has a long history in the United States, until the 1930’s hemp was a legal cash crop in the US. Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were growers and even Benjamin Franklin started one of America’s first paper mills, using hemp!
In 1619, the first hemp law was enacted in the United States, at Jamestown Colony, Virginia, the law ordered all farmers to grow hemp seed. Farmers could face jail time for failing to abide by the law. There were several other 'required grow' laws in the US over history. Because of a hemp shortage between 1763 and 1776, you could be jailed in Virginia for failing to comply. During this time, hemp was even considered 'legal tender' and it was even possible to pay taxes hemp. (Can you imagine telling the tax man today, “Yeah I've got a pound of hemp you can have.”?
In 1950, the US Census, counted 8,327 hemp plantations, producing the critical crop. (a plantation at the time was a minimum farm of 2000 acres.) In 1942, the United States government had the “Hemp for Victory” program and even the USDA produced a film
Hemp for Victory encouraging US farmers to grow hemp in support of the war effort.
Other recorded 'requirements exist in government history, both of the US and others but are too lengthy to include in their entirety here.
The Illegalization of Hemp in the United States
Growing and cultivation of hemp (commercial) is legal in Canada and all states of the European Union.
The criminalization of hemp in this country is quite fascinating and nauseating too. Read up on the history in the US, beginning in the 1930’s and you will read such names as Du Pont (owner of the largest chemical company) and William Randolph Hearst (owner of the largest newspaper chain, along with other tabloids, magazines and film). Did these two entities help destroy the US Hemp market? Did Du Pont lobby the chief counsel of the Treasury Department, Herman Oliphant, to criminalize hemp cultivation in support of Du Pont’s petrochemical products?
Did William Randolph Heart's newspapers also simultaneously begin campaigns to portray Mexicans as "lazy, degenerate, and violent," and as marijuana smokers and job stealers. Given the vast amount of resources at his disposal; newspapers, magazines, periodicals and film, Hearst definitely had the means to 'sway' the opinions of the U.S. Hearst used headlines such as "Marijuana goads user to blood lust" and "Hotel clerk identifies Marijuana smoker as gunman". In headlines to sway opinion on hemp. Motivation also seemed to be prevalent with him as well. Further motivation was, through the massive holdings in lumber that he had.
Racism was a big motivator for Hearst, through his 'hate' for Mexicans, both thru there influx to the U.S. And his losing approximately 800,000 acres of timberland to Pancho Villa. His hatred showed in many of the articles published in his publications showing his hated for minorities. Many of these articles were slated and used at 'demonizing' hemp to further his agenda to have it outlawed.
Lammont Du Pont also figures prominently with the criminalization of hemp in the U.S. Lammont Du Pont and William Randolph Hearst were well acquainted, and quite possible friends. Lammont Du Pont also had reason to see hemp outlawed as the crop had the potential of hindering his prosperity. Around this time, Lammont Du Pont introduced Hearst to a method of developing paper from wood pulp, surprisingly developed by Du Pont. Further Du Pont, had reason to want the commercial hemp market illegalized in the U.S., as his company developed many products that were directly threatened and in competition of the company's products. A 'partnership' with Hearst, both in the paper industry and getting Hemp illegalized worked well, for both Lammont Du Pont.
Enter Harry J. Anslinger, soon to become the Commissioner of the Treasury Bureau of Narcotics, who was the nephew-in-law of Andrew Mellon. Mellon was at the time Lammont Du Pont's banker, Mellon was also at this time, the Secretary of Treasury, under Herbert Hoover. Henry Anslinger, is said to have gotten the Marijuana Tax Law of 1937 passed and he is also attributed with being the first Drug Czar of the United States!
Ansingler flatly declared, 'they can continue to raise hemp just as they have always done it. It makes fine cordage and this legislation exempts the mature stalk when in It is grown for hemp purposes.' Read the statement given by him to before the
Ways and Means Committee . Alsinger, was purported to direct field agents to submit stories which were compiled into what is now known as the Gore Files, which Anslinger referred to often in his 'fight' against hemp. Later studies have found the contents of the Gore File essentially had no bearing, on either the 'drug war' or the illegalization of hemp.
Anslinger was a racist too? Yes, supposedly he was and often quoted articles from Hearst's newspapers. Here are some reported quotes made by him, racist and anti-'hemp.'
“Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death.”
“Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men.”
“Marihuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on white men’s shadows and look at a white woman twice.”…….Hearst newspaper 1935
While it is 'legal' to grow hemp in the U.S., it is an expensive and substantial. The DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) put strict controls and requires strict security for for facilities growing hemp. A DEA permit is required before growing hemp, making research or production virtually cost prohibitive in the U.S. .
Currently, Canada and all European Union countries allow the growth and production of hemp. In the U.S., hemp products must be imported or manufactured from imported hemp products.
Hemp as a Crop
In February, 1938, Popular Mechanics stated “New Million Dollar Crop” in an article, although the editors must have been unfamiliar with the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act that was passed in the U.S.
Popular Mechnaics. The article makes several references to the potential benefits of hemp as a crop in the U.S.
Henry Ford, demonstrates (below) his 'new' car made from plastic derived from plants, shown. He claims the plastic is tough enough to withstand 9,000 lbs of pressure without breaking.
Henry Ford, has also been touted as the icon of renewable energy.
Over a century ago, shown below posing with his Model-T, the first flexible fuel automobile. It was able to run on gas, ethanol, or a combination.
The viability of biofuels and composites were proven viable by Henry Ford about the same time Du Pont and Hearst, were 'working' to have hemp outlawed in the United States.
Some claim that (commercial) hemp has between 25,000 and 50,000 uses, in many cases replacing many of the products of today. Benefits of hemp for the use of products include, the removal of harmful chemicals and petrochemicals, less dependance on non-renewable sources, increased nutrition and easing of a burdened food supply, consequently reducing hunger and malnutrition.
The list goes on and on, but the many benefits of commercial hemp are outside the scope of this article.
Hemp is, renewable, recyclable, reusable and environmentally safe.
The benefits of hemp are numerous and include:
Paper: Uses as natural process for manufacturing as opposed to wood pulp which requires petrochemicals. Paper created from hemp is higher quality and more durable (does not tear as easily), does not yellow and is longer lasting. Also, hemp paper can be recycled more times than paper created from wood pulp. Converting paper mills to use hemp instead of wood pulp would require little conversion or cost.
Building Materials: Hemp yields up to four times the average forest, producing three to eight tons of fiber per acre. Studies by Washington State University, found fiber board created from hemp to be stronger than than wood fiber. Long growing forests can be saved by using fast growing, replenishable hemp.
Many of the building materials made from wood can be made from hemp, and be lighter and stronger.
Since hemp has a resistance to heat, the manufacture of insulation and insulating products have increased value in building materials as well as other markets.
Fuel: Producing more bio-mass per acre than other crops. Hydrocarbons from hemp can be used in place of other polluting, non-renewable fossil fuels. Additionally, hemp can be manufactured into fuel pellets, liquid fuel, gas, and ethanol, further reducing our dependance on fossil fuels and nuclear power.
Petrochemicals: Because hemp is rich in cellulose and can be used to create biodegradable plastics, reducing landfill waste, the 'Plastic Island,' and be more environmentally friendly. Hemp can be processed into materials to be used for injection molding further reducing the dependance of fossil fuels and being safer for the envionment.
Paints and Varnishes: For thousands of years the finest paints and varnishes came from hemp produced products. In 1935, the U.S. Used 58K tons of hemp for the production alone.
Most of the master artists of the world, Van Gogh, Gainsborough, Rembrandt etc, used hemp canvas (canvas is a derivative of cannabis) to create their masterpieces.
Food: Estimates for hemp food products in the U.S. Between 20-33 million dollars.
Automotive Industry: Almost all major automotive manufacturers are researching the value of hemp for use in the automotive industry. As demonstrated above, plastics developed from hemp can be used in the manufacture of automobiles. Also, the replacement of many of the petrochemicals used in various components of automotive manufacturing.
Personal Care: Estimates for hemp personal care products is around 70-90 million dollars and growing. Many manufacturers are creating and many retailers offering a wide range of products containing hemp. The web is 'packed' with retailers offering a wide variety of personal health care products, from bath soap to laundry detergent. All with benefits, both to the individual and the environment.
Textile Industry: Many well known designers are beginning to use hemp fabric for their creations and many retail outlets are marketing the apparel. An international shoe manufacturer has designed a hemp shoe. Carpet manufacturers are turning to hemp as the choice for fibers in creating ecological carpets based on its durability and strength.
Hemp offers more resistance to the sun than cotton.
The advantages of hemp over cotton are numerous, including strength, durability, also the growing properties of hemp over cotton.
Crop Growth and advantages
Improvement of soil fertility by converting nitrogen into organically bound nitrogen. Hemp crops are not damaging to the bio-diversity of land. Requiring no fertilizer or pesticides, hemp is economical and safe. Crop rotation is not a requirement as with other crops, in some instances hemp has been raised fourteen years straight without damage to the soil. With its long root system, hemp promotes land conservation by reducing erosion of the land. The water requirements for hemp is low and not so demanding as other crops.
Production of cotton requires approximately 50% of the fertilizers and pesticides worldwide. Cotton crops have a high demand for water, increasing its costs. Less strong than hemp, cotton also has a fiber at one and one half to two inches versus up to fifteen feet with hemp.
Things you can do
- Educate yourself about the difference of commercial hemp and marijuana.
- Spread the information to others.
- Support hemp products to increase the awareness, assist in reducing the cost, improve your life and your health through the use of hemp productis.
- Lobby law makers to legalize the production and harvesting of commercial hemp. Removing the stringent laws in place in the U.S. Further promoting a renewable, ecological and economical crop.
- Visit for more information:Vote Hemp
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