What is Hemp

Hemp is from the genus Cannabis sativa. Hemp is a fiber of the plant which does not contain THC (0.3%), the psychoactive ingredient found in Marijuana. Hemp is said to have possibly originated near the Himilayas where it was scattered and dispersed by both animals and humans. Hemp has been classically used for centuries fro both producing clothes and paper products. From the 5^th Century BC to the 19^th century ships sails were made primarily of hemp material. It has been found that ten thousand years ago hemp was being used to produce shaped pottery. Around 3000 BC hemp was considered the very most important textile for producing clothing which was considered and called Linens.

It has been told that Christopher Columbus and his crew were reliant on Hemp for emergency food and materials. Both Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were both Hemp farmers. Benjamin Franklin began one of the first paper mills with cannabis hemp freeing the US from our dependence on England for paper to produce books. Before the hemp and alcohol prohibitions the development of Hemp for fuel and non toxic paint and varnishes were two of the most promising uses for hemp material.

Hemp is extremely versatile and can be grown in almost every climate on Earth. Due to the durability of the plant herbicides and pesticides are not necessary in the growth of hemp. The seeds are used by us for food and nutrition. The fibers are not only used for clothing and paper but also rope and fuel to power automobiles which should be gaining a lot of attention soon in the face of our energy crisis. Hemp is an incredibly promising renewable resource which does not contribute to the greenhouse affect when burnt. With the ease of its growth ten tons can be produced on one acre of land in a 90 to 120 day grow cycle, tripling the amount produced by cotton. Hemp is a master plant which has the potential to help alter and shift the collective “race to the bottom” socioeconomic state we live in today.