http://www.hempstores.com/about_hemp.htmlHEMP FACTS1) Hemp is among the oldest industries on the planet, going back more than 10,000 years to the beginnings of pottery. The Columbia History of the World states that the oldest relic of human industry is a bit of hemp fabric dating back to approximately 8,000 BC.2) Presidents Washington and Jefferson both grew hemp. Americans were legally bound to grow hemp during the Colonial Era and Early Republic. The federal government subsidized hemp during the Second World War and US farmers grew about a million acres of hemp as part of that program.3) Hemp Seed is nutritious and contains more essential fatty acids than any other source, is second only to soybeans in complete protein (but is more digestible by humans), is high in B-vitamins, and is a good source of dietary fiber. Hemp seed is not psychoactive and cannot be used as a drug. See http://www.TestPledge.com4) The bark of the hemp stalk contains bast fibers, which are among the Earth's longest natural soft fibers and are also rich in cellulose; the cellulose and hemicellulose in its inner woody core are called hurds. Hemp stalk is not psychoactive. Hemp fiber is longer, stronger, more absorbent and more insulative than cotton fiber.5) According to the Department of Energy, hemp as a biomass fuel producer requires the least specialized growing and processing procedures of all hemp products. The hydrocarbons in hemp can be processed into a wide range of biomass energy sources, from fuel pellets to liquid fuels and gas. Development of biofuels could significantly reduce our consumption of fossil fuels and nuclear power.6) Hemp grows well without herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides. Almost half of the agricultural chemicals used on U.S. crops are applied to cotton.7) Hemp produces more pulp per acre than timber on a sustainable basis, and can be used for every quality of paper. Hemp paper manufacturing can reduce waste-water contamination. Hemp's low lignin content reduces the need for acids used in pulping, and it's creamy color lends itself to environmentally friendly bleaching instead of harsh chlorine compounds. Less bleaching results in less dioxin and fewer chemical by-products.8) Hemp fiber paper resists decomposition, and does not yellow with age when an acid-free process is used. Hemp paper more than 1,500 years old has been found. Hemp paper can also be recycled more times than wood based paper.9) Hemp fiberboard produced by Washington State University was found to be twice as strong as wood-based fiberboard .10) Eco-friendly hemp can replace most toxic petro-chemical products. Research is being done to use hemp in manufacturing biodegradable plastic products: plant-based cellophane, recycled plastic mixed with hemp for injection-molded products, and resins made from the oil, to name just a very few examples.TODAY'S HEMP INDUSTRYAUSTRALIA - Tasmania research trials began in 1995. Victoria commercial production since1998. New South Wales has research. In 2002 Queensland began production.AUSTRIA has a hemp industry including production of hempseed oil, medicinals and Hanf magazine.CANADA started to license research crops in 1994 on an experimental basis. In addition to crops for fibre, one seed crop was experimentally licensed in 1995. Many acres were planted in 1997. Licenses for commercial agriculture saw thousands of acres planted in 1998. 30,000 acres planted in 1999. In 2000, due to speculative investing,12,250 acres were sown. In 2001 ninety-two farmers grew 3,250 acres. A number of Canadian farmers are now growing organically certified hemp crops.CHILE has grown hemp in the recent past for seed oil production.CHINA is the largest exporter of hemp paper and textiles. The fabrics are of excellent quality. (ma)DENMARK planted its first modern hemp trials in 1997. Committed to utilizing organic methods.FINLAND had a resurgence of hemp in 1995 with several small test plots. A seed variety for northern climates was developed: Finola, previously know by the breeder code 'FIN-314'. In 2003, Finola was accepted to the EU list of subsidized hemp cultivars. (hamppu)FRANCE harvested 10,000 tons in 1994. France is the main source of low-thc producing hempseed. (chanvre)GERMANY only banned hemp in 1982, but research began in 1992 and many technologies and products are being developed. Clothes and paper are being made from imported raw materials. Germany lifted the ban on growing hemp November, 1995. Mercedes and BMW use hemp fiber for composites. (hanf)GREAT BRITAIN lifted hemp prohibition in 1993. Animal bedding, paper and textiles have been developed. A government grant was given to develop new markets for natural fibers. 4,000 acres were grown in 1994. Subsidies of $230 Eng. pounds per acre are given by the govt. for growing.HUNGARY is rebuilding their hemp industry, and is one of the biggest exporters of hemp cordage, rugs and hemp fabric to the U.S. They also export hemp seed and hemp paper. Fiberboard is also made. (kender)INDIA has large stands of naturalized Cannabis and uses it for cordage, textiles, and seed oil.JAPAN has a religious tradition requiring the Emperor wear hemp garments, so there is a small plot maintained for the imperial family only. They have a thriving retail market selling a variety of hemp products. (asa)NETHERLANDS is conducting a four year study to evaluate and test hemp for paper, and is developing processing equipment. Seed breeders are developing new strains of low-thc varieties. (hennep)NEW ZEALAND started hemp trials in 2001. Various cultivars are being planted in the North and South.POLAND currently grows hemp for fabric and cordage and manufactures hemp particle board. They have demonstrated the benefits of using hemp to cleanse soils contaminated by heavy metals. (konopij)ROMANIA was the largest commercial producer of hemp in Europe in the late 80's and early 90's. Total acreage in 1993 was 40,000 acres. Some of it is exported to Hungary for processing. They also export to Western Europe and the United States. (cinepa)RUSSIA maintains the largest hemp germ plasm collection in the world at the N.I. Vavilov Scientific Research Institute of Plant Industry (VIR) in Saint Petersburg. They are in need of funds. (konoplya)SLOVENIA grows hemp and manufactures currency paper.SPAIN grows and exports hemp pulp for paper and produces rope and textiles. (cañamo)SWITZERLAND is a producer of hemp and hosts one of the largest hemp events: Cannatrade.EGYPT, KOREA, PORTUGAL, THAILAND, and the UKRAINE also produce hemp.USA - The United States granted the first hemp permit in over 40 years to Hawaii for an experimental quarter acre plot in 1999. The license has been renewed since. Importers and manufacturers have thrived using imported raw materials. Twenty-two states in the United States have introduced legislation. VT, HI, ND, MT, MN, IL, VA, NM, CA, AR, KY, MD, WV have passed legislation for support, research, or cultivation. The National Conference of State Legislators has endorsed industrial hemp for years.BibliographyChris Conrad, Hemp: Lifeline to the FutureJack Frazier, The Great American Hemp IndustryHemptech, Industrial Hemp and Hemp HorizonsDr. Brooks KellyHEMP'S MANY USESThese items produced by HIA member companies are just a small sample from the huge wealth of possible items that can be manufactured from Hemp.Accessories: aprons, back packs, bags, belts, caps, eyeglass cases, jewelry, hair ties, hats, hip packs, scarves, shawls, shoe laces, shoes, socks, ties, wallets.Apparel: baby clothes, bathing suits, children's clothes, coats, dresses, jackets, jeans, lingerie, overalls, pants, shirts, shorts, skirts, suits, sweaters.Cosmetics: hair conditioners, lip balms, lotions, massage oils, salves, shampoos, soaps.Foods: beer, burgers, candy, coffees, cheese, cookies, dry cookie and pancake mixes, flour, oil, pretzels, roasted seeds, salad dressing, wine.Household Furnishings: blankets, candles, carpets, coffee filters, dish towels, napkins, placemats, rugs.Paper: art papers, bond, bookmarks, books, cigarette papers, corrugated board, envelopes, invitations, journals, magazines, stationery.Publications: books, magazines, newspapers, research papers.Raw Hemp: bast fiber, batting (tow) & sliver for industry & craft use, hurds, seeds.Services: consulting, Internet support, networking, research & development.Sports Equipment: frisbees, hacky sacks, skateboards, snowboards, surfboards.Spun Hemp: cordage, embroidery thread, rope, twine, webbing, yarn.Textiles: hand woven & mill loomed fabrics - blended silks to canvas, various weights & textures, colors, patterns, stripes & plaids; finishing services.Other: animal leashes & collars, dog treats, diesel fuel, drums, tool bags, toys, fiber board.www.medical-cannabis-information-service.comClick the yellow words to open each Document - Section.Medical Cannabis Information Service is a non-profit group committed to ending the prohibition of cannabis by taking pro-active steps towards decriminalising the use of cannabis for medical purposes.Australian Committee For Medical Cannabis Report has the following objectives: To keep patients who use cannabis for legitimate medical purposes outside the criminal justice system. To develop and promote Australian research in the medical cannabis area.Our Submissions To the Working Party In September 1999, the Australian Medical Association (NSW) and the Law Society of NSW joined with the Australian Committee for Medical Cannabis in calling for controlled provision of medical cannabis. In response, the Premier of NSW, Mr. Bob Carr, announced that the NSW Government would establish an expert working party to investigate the use of cannabis for medical purposes.NSW Working Party Report and Recommendations this report on the therapeutic potential of cannabis has been prepared by a group of clinicians, lawyers and researchers who were asked to advise the NSW Government. (In PDF Format, 152Kb)Our Response To the Working Party Report and Recommendations After closely examining the 3 volume report, we analyzed the recommendations and consulted with several members of the Working Party. These responses highlighted the need for appropriate representation of those affected and a need for further input on varied other issues surrounding medical cannabis.Report on the Consultation on the Findings and Recommendations The Government received 117 submissions in response to its call for public consultation on the report and its recommendations. (In PDF Format, 1.3Mb)The Current Situation For the Medical Cannabis User A brief look at situations faced by people who use cannabis for medical purposes. An update of forward steps being taken in other countries. Included are some politicians that you can write to in NSW.Possible Outcomes of the Proposed Recommendations Even with several Countries embarking on medical cannabis initiatives, the NSW may choose to address the issue of medicinal cannabis in any number of ways.Practical Tips For the Medical Cannabis User Consult your doctor. Using cannabis. Growing cannabis. Harvesting, drying and storing cannabis. Sourcing cannabis seeds and cannabis.IndustrialHempUSA.org |HempUSA.org | Directory | HempHarvestUSA.com |Industrial Hemp USAIndustrial Hemp's Time Has ComeIndustrial Hemp news reports • information • interviews • audio • video recordings • Internet website resourceshttp://industrialhempusa.org/Hemp USA .org | Home Page - more information |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hemp Harvest USA .com | fine Canadian Hemp protean powder, roasted seeds and oil--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Industrial Hemp USA .org | Directory - more information |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Industrial Hemp USA .com | Directory - more information |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------2007 North Dakota Farmers legal case in Federal Court |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------2007 United States Congress H.R. 1009: "Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2007"--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Industrial Hemp: agricultural commodity / agricultural product |JOHN LONGENECKERPhotojournalist / FilmmakerIndustrial Hemp USA 800 470-4602Directors Guild of America - director memberOnline News Association - professional memberNational Press Photographers Association - memberInvestigative Reporters and Editors - supportersite: IndustrialHempUSA.org |email: JOHN@JLemail.com |Read more…
