Commercial Hemp

Hemp Defined: (According to the North American Industrial Hemp Council) The Hemp Plant The hemp plant is harvested for its fibers, seed, seed meal and seed oil. Hemp is a distinct variety of the plant species cannabis sativa L. Due to the similar leaf shape, hemp is frequently confused with marijuana. Although both plants are from the species cannabis, hemp contains virtually no THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in marijuana. Hemp cannot be used as a drug because it produces virtually no THC Hemp Facts: http://naihc.org/hemp_information/index.html "Quite simply, hemp is the world's premier renewable resource." Hemp and Industry Source - http://www.hemp.com/hemp-university/quick-facts/ There are over 25,000 known uses for hemp. The heating and compressing of hemp fibers can create building materials superior to wood in strength, quality and cost. Hemp is heat, mildew, pest, light, and rot resistant. Hemp fabric is softer, warmer, more water resistant and more durable than cotton. Hemp fabric also uses less chemicals to produce. Industrial uses of hemp in China date as far back as 10,000 years. Hemp as a Fuel Source A bio-diesel fuel is one made from hemp oil, vegetable oil, or other animal fat(see hemp fuel). The original idea wax developed in 1895 by Dr. Rudolph Diesel, who developed the first engine than ran on vegetable oil. He demonstrated the engine at the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris, France, running the engine on peanut oil. Hemp can be blended with diesel fuel in any ratio or used alone. Biodiesel fuel is the only alternative fuel that can be used as-is, in any un-modified diesel engine. The increased use of biodiesel fuels would reduce dependence on foreign sources while increasing national agricultural jobs and revenues. The flashpoint of petroleum fuel is 125 degrees Fahrenheit while the flashpoint of biodiesel fuels is 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Biodiesel fuels have been used successfully in Europe for over 20 years. More on Hemp at Hemp University – Web Site The Trillion Dollar Hemp Crop Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute Click Here 1972: U.S.D.A. finds that hemp seed is lower in saturated fats than any other vegetable oil including soybean and canola). A Brief Glimps at Hemp History: View Full Link 8000 B.C. Hemp is woven into fabric and grows in popularity over time on a global scale to eventually provide over 80% of all textiles and fabrics, including over 50% of the fabric called linen. 1000 B.C. to 1883A.D. Hemp is the world's largest agricultural crop, providing materials to support civilization's most important industries, including fiber for fabric and rope, lamp oil for lighting, paper, medicine and food for both humans and domesticated animals. 500 B.C. to 1900 A.D. Ninety percent of the sailcloth and rigging lines used for all sea-going vessels is made from hemp. ( including the U.S. ship 'Constitution', better known as 'Old Ironsides'.) 100 A.D. Chinese discover how to make paper from hemp. 1470's King James Bible is printed on hemp paper. 1619 America's first hemp law is enacted at Jamestown Colony, Virginia, ordering all farmers to grow hemp. 1631 Hemp is 'legal tender' and taxes may be paid with hemp throughout most of the Americas. 1632 to mid `1700's Benjamin Franklin starts one of America's first hemp-rag paper mills. 1763 - 1767 Farmers who do not grow hemp can be arrested and jailed in Virginia. 1776 First and second drafts of the Declaration of Independence are written on hemp paper. 1777 The Stars and Stripes is endorsed as the Capitol Flag of the U.S.A. and made of hemp fabric. 1790's George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grow hemp on their plantations. 1837 - 1901 Queen Victoria uses cannabis resins to treat menstrual cramps, sparking enormous interest in the uses of cannabis as a medicine in the English- speaking world. 1850 U.S. census records 8,327 hemp plantations of 2,000 acres or more and an uncalculated number of small hemp farms. 1937 Marijuana Tax Act effectively bans hemp 1942 U.S. government overrides its own ban on hemp and distributes 400,000 pounds of hemp seed to U.S farmers who produce 42,000 tons of hemp fiber annually to support the war effort until 1946.