fiber
Hemp Law Passes in Oregon
Oregon legalized industrial hemp production in 2009, but you may not have heard because there were high barriers of entry, and only 13 producers ended up getting licensed. The law was intended for oilseed and fiber production on large-production farms. Oregon’s new industrial hemp bill 4060, freshly signed into law, has lowered the barriers for […]
Got Hemp Milk?
Milk has enjoyed quite an important role in our modern American culture. Although rare today, many Americans have fond memories of their local milk man delivering fresh milk, the kind where the rich cream floats on top. Unfortunately we live in a world where support for local farmers has given way to mass produced homogenized and pasteurized milk.
Fortunately for those seeking something more natural, we have found a type of milk that truly can deliver the proper nutrition we so closely associate milk with. Hemp milk may raise a few eyebrows but health experts are impressed with what it has to offer. One popular company that produces Hemp Milk is “Living Harvest” and can easily be found on most major online retailers such as Amazon, Ebay, and Buy.com. Reviews online are positive and for those with dairy allergies or lactose concerns, hemp milk provides an alternative for those who do not like soy milk.
We already know of many ways in which the cannabis plant can improve our quality of life. Many patients can attest to this. Additionally we know that hemp has so many industrial uses but now we are fortunate enough to get nutrition from this wonderful plant. While most people are likely unaware of hemp milk, that could soon change. With it’s richness in Omega-3, Omega-6. magnesium, phytosterols, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, calcium, fiber, iron, potassium, phosphorus, riboflavin, niacin and thiamin, the public may soon catch on to this new health choice. Vegetarians are also known to like hemp milk, as it can replace protein servings found in meat. Hemp seeds are not known to contain THC, making hemp milk accessible to everyone.
While we are amazed to keep finding new ways for the cannabis plant to improve our lives, perhaps we should not be. The discoveries keep pouring in, and speaking of pouring, we hope you enjoy a glass of hemp milk soon. You may just want to look out for that milk mustache!
Moving to Legalize Domestic Hemp
As the movement for the legalization of marijuana marches on people often forget about the Mary’s sister plant, industrial Hemp. Both plants are members of the cannabis genus and both are illegal to grow or possess under Federal law. They are two genetically distinct species with different properties. Marijuana contains as much as 27% THC in its buds, leaves and trichomes. Whereas hemp generally contains 0.3% or less THC (although some places do allow for it to contain 1% and remain classified as industrial hemp). Furthermore the two plants are unsuited to be used interchangeably. Marijuana is unsuited for industrial purposes such as paper, clothing and building goods due to the nature of growth of the plant fibers. Similarly, industrial hemp will not get have the effects of smoked marijuana. It is very similar to the way that poppy seeds can make a person test positive for opium, but would produce get them “doped up”.
Since 1937 it has been illegal to cultivate both marijuana and hemp plants, aside from a special dispensation in WW2 (see “Hemp for Victory“). Today many states have passed laws allowing for compassionate use of medical marijuana, but it is still illegal to domestically grow and distribute industrial hemp products. This continues despite growing demands for hempen clothing, building supplies, fossil fuel substitutes, and food products. However, it is legally allowed to import foreign hemp products. To meet this demand, American companies must purchase goods from Canada, China and a few European countries. This is a farce. America (from the time of the colonies) was built on money provided by Hemp cash crops. At this time we are relegated to sending hard-earned American dollars overseas (OK, Canada is not overseas) to buy raw seed and fiber and end-products that could easily be made here, at an economic benefit for Americans. This market has nowhere to go except upward, especially as more Americans become aware of the many benefits (nutritional, agricultural, industrial, economical) presented by Hemp.
Currently, eighteen states have recent laws (within the last 20 years), bills, or amendments on the books or pending legislation seeking to allow for domestic cultivation of Industrial Hemp. Many of those states have only first stage laws that require studies by state boards looking into economic and agricultural benefits. Many of these studies are underway, but none have been completed. Part of this is due to the political insecurity that arises from dabbling in marijuana laws. Although attitudes have shifted greatly in the last several years, many politicians are still wary of endorsing anything marijuana-related. Regardless of those studies, every bill has language reflecting the worries about Federal prosecution. The caveats in the bills all mention that Federal statutes must either be overturned, rewritten, or researchers and farmers will require permits or dispensations from the DEA, DOJ or even IRS in order to grow hemp crops and be in compliance of state and federal laws.
The most recent states to challenge this Federal ban include Kentucky, Vermont, North Dakota, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and Montana. Members of Congress have also sought to change the laws. In 2007, 2009, and 2011 they have introduced “The Industrial Hemp Farming Act” so that low potency cannabis crops would be exempted from the Federal ban. The current measure, House Bill 1831 has numerous co-sponsors but has not received a Congressional hearing. If passed, states would have the power to approve and regulate hemp cultivation and trade. Last year, Hemp imports were valued at over four hundred million dollars. This number is expected to increase this year and more in the future. Hemp production could soon be valued at over $1 billion. Taxed revenues from this business would do well to help offset American debt and trade deficits, if it was a domestic product. Not only is this an incredibly useful plant, it is hardy and grows in poor soils that are unsuited for other crash crops. Additionally, rotating hemp through poor soils helps to lock nutrients back into the earth so that other crops can grow better. It also is a prime source for photosynthesis and carbon sequestration, helping to mitigate the problems posed by increased amounts of CO2 and other greenhouse chemicals present in the atmosphere.
As more information comes to light about hemp it seems that the cultivation of this plant is a win-win situation for the environment, the economy, and the people of our country. Unfortunately, the same special interests (tobacco lobby, Big Pharma, Alcohol, fossil fuels) who secured the ban over seventy years ago still have enormous political clout. Combined with the inordinate amount of false information and prejudice against the cannabis plant, those in favor of legalization face a stiff uphill battle. More than ever it is incumbent upon us, we the people, to take an active role in our nation’s future and declare that this plant should not be denied to us.
Hemp Construction Material
Hemp, used from ancient occasions until it had been banned in early last century, has more uses than nearly every other naturally sourced substance. After a little thorough research, yes, it is the super plant the world must utilize to be able to cut our reliance on non-renewable fuels along with other oil-based items. In Roman occasions, hemp was utilized in mortar between bricks in construction projects, and lots of of individuals structures and streets survive even today. Going for a signal from your technological forebears, modern construction techniques are researching using hemp in building materials. Hemp materials when coupled with lime can produce a building material that actually works being an excellent thermal insulator and acoustic barrier that’s seven occasions more powerful than concrete. In addition this hemp/lime mix has greater elasticity than traditional concrete which causes it to be a far more ideal material to be used in areas which are vulnerable to earthquakes along with other disasters. You will find studies in England, France and Germany which have built test houses and therefore are pushing for any greater volume of projects.
The British study, carried out through the BRE Center for Innovative Construction Materials in the College of Bath, has embarked on the three year study from the hemp/lime composite and located that it’s a viable building material. The product was produced by a French chemist. Madame France Perier have been using hemp oil for cancer of the skin treatment when she investigated other ways to use hemp. In those days she developed Isochanvre, a fabric that’s “flame-proof, non-toxic, 1/9 the load of cement concrete, has excellent insulation qualities, unpalatable to rats, termites or bugs, and it is flexible and powerful. Due to its strength and versatility it’s an ideal building material in areas vulnerable to cyclone and earthquakes.” Soon after its creation it had been accustomed to build several houses in Rene, France so when word of individuals spread towards the United kingdom, the BRE Center started their research program. They have built several test houses and located that hemp-based materials have equal or higher quality to plain construction, plus they offer other benefits. Hemp built houses develop less condensation over cooling and heating cycles which results in less water damage and mold. Also, they cook less warmth loss. The additional benefits originate from an environment impact. Hemp is really a renewable resource and it has an optimistic footprint within the carbon cycle. While growing, it soaks up carbon in the atmosphere. In addition, hemp could be in your area acquired, because it is a plant that may be grown almost anywhere. In comparison to regular techniques and materials, hemp items require less energy to create, create less toxic by-items, and therefore are easily recycled.
In Germany, in the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology, scientists are focusing on techniques to make use of hemp being an insulation material in structures. Coupled with a corn-based biopolymer, this new insulation “is light, has low warmth conductivity and, because of a soda bath, satisfies fire safety rules. In addition, it easily soaks up and releases moisture, preventing harm to your building.Inch This cool product is eco-friendly and completely biodegradable unlike much other insulation that’s according to either abs plastic, rock made of woll, or oil-derived polystyrene and memory.
You will find very couple of disadvantages to those new techniques using bio-based materials. However, the primary objection for their common me is cost. At this time around hemp and flax based insulation and building materials give a minimum base price of 10% to the building project. Advocates reason that this will probably drop as large-scale production increases. Normally, this is the situation with any cool product. Again, hemp items could be in your area acquired, reducing costs by conserving shipping of materiel. Around the backside from the project these items are often discarded. Many building materials have harmful toxins and want specialized take care of disposal. Hemp items could be recycled or disposed by incineration or compost, further reaping helpful benefits the atmosphere.
At this time China leads the planet in hemp production with 1.3 million hectares dedicated to crop growth. They’re without doubt having to pay focus on these studies and possible future uses. As increasing numbers of industries switch to eco-friendly assets and production, the united states will have to make changes to the laws and regulations and permit the development of the question plant. The founding fathers depended onto it extensively and that we should too.