A few weeks back, I was interviewed by an inquisitve journalist who was writing a feature story for an agricultural paper called Capital Press on the legalization of industrialized hemp. He had received my name from a national hemp organization and I was more than happy to lend him my opinion.
Quite frankly, I can’t quite understand the hold-up in legalizing this wonder plant. Yep, it’s a kissing cousing to marijuana, dope, pot, the ganja, whatever you prefer to call it. The big difference? The level of THC which is the mind altering substance producing the ‘high’ you get from smoking pot. The plant itself also looks different to the trained eye. Hemp is, overall, the strongest, most-durable and longest lasting natural soft-fiber on the planet.
According to The Emperor Wears No Clothes by author Jack Herer, hemp is botanically, a member of the most advanced plant family on Earth. It’s what’s called a dioecious plant (having male, female and sometimes hermaphoditic (both male & female on the same plant)) and is a woody, herbaceous annual using the sun more efficiently than virtually any other plant on our planet. It can reach 12-20 feet or more in one short growing season. Hemp can be grown in nearly any climate or soil condition on Earth, even marginal ones (hear that desert regions?). Many believe hemp is, by far, Earth’s premier, renewable natural resource. I happen to be in that camp.
Before I send you off to the interview, I want to leave you with this thought. Hemp has been around for thousands of years in nearly all cultures. Remember the U.S.S. Constitution? Well, that puppy carried at least 60 tons of hemp on it – and not in the hull. We’re talking the sails, ropes, maps, logs, bibles, pennants, flags, rigging/ropes and even the oakum (sealant) used on the ship. Let’s not forget the soldiers clothes and uniforms too. It’s what the first American flag was made out of and one of our Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson, holds patents on hemp harvesting equipment.
So, enjoy the article and let me know if you’d like to learn more about hemp. Greenfeet offers several products made from hemp and we’re always looking for more. It’s a durable, sturdy fiber adored by customers and Mother Nature. Now, on to the piece…..take me to Capital Press
……
.С Наступающей Пасхой …
Legalization would have brought California state law in conflict both with federal law as well as the international treaty that underpins that global war on medications, the 1961 United countries Single Convention on Narcotics drugs. It placed marijuana together powerfully addictive drugs like heroin, a wrong-headed group which became U. AZINES. federal law in 1970.
Hemp is a low grade fiber
It is used when others are not available
It was used extensivly as oakum caulking and seizing as it absorbs oil and tar not because of its strength or durability. Other fibers with more strength and durability were not used for this use of junk fiber.
It is only useful when the good stuff is not available.
We classed it as a hard fiber like Abaca and Sisal not a soft fiber like Cotton Jute or Copra
Hi Wally. Hemp can be made into a very soft fabric as well as a course one – it’s all in the weaving.
I have many pieces of clothing, wallets, napkins and other items all using different weaves of hemp. Some are very soft while others are coarse as you described.
Hemp is a wonderful plant with so many options – we need to grow more of it!
Hi Bob.
It’s certainly a challenging issue, however, hemp is a whole different plant and a trained eye can easily tell the difference between hemp and marijuana. Contrary to popular belief, it would be unwise for a grower of marijuana to ‘hide’ their plants in a field of hemp. Why? Because the two are ‘kissing cousins’ and the resulting crop would essentially be crappy pot.
We need to educate the public, police and drug force and our farmers to tell the difference between the two plants. Hemp is a crop to be reckoned with and it’s high time we take it seriously.
Before reading this artical, I used to think hemp is horrible and is loved by drug addict. But now I have chaned my stylish opinion to it now. Thanks for your useful information!