While I have never been an advocate for the growing, consumption or use of the drug more commonly known as Marijuana, I am an advocate for the more common variety known as Hemp. Hemp is part of the Cannabis Family, and is primarily what is called the Fiber Chemotype. In order to distinguish the three Chemotypes, you need to understand how the levels of THC and CBD are broken down. While THC gives the psychoactive portion of the plant (the high), CBD is found to be the portion that gives the anti-inflammatory effect, thus the relief of muscle strain, joint pain and cramps reported in medicinal uses.
Type 1 – Drug Chemotype: This variety is most desirable for pharmacological uses or grown and used by the underground; THC = <2%, but >0.75%.
Type 2 – Intermediate Chemotype: THC = >0.75% - <0.1%
Type 3 – Fiber Chemotype: THC = >0.03%
The Fiber variety has a very low concentrate of THC, being less than 0.03%. This variety is commonly grown in Northern temperate zones throughout the world for manufacture of paper, textiles, rope and the oil of hemp used in lotions, perfumes and soaps.
(Interesting Note): While Canada and 85 other countries grow the plant for production and export, the United States is the only one that does not, but is lawful to import the manufactured end item of rope and textile materials and oil, but not grow it ourselves. Does that make sense? The tiny country of Morocco exports $13 Billion in Hemp Products a year. Morocco? Who would have guessed? Our Farmers in North Dakota think we are crazy, as they watch across the border of Canada, where Hemp is grown for agricultural and industrial uses.
Cannabis Hemp really can provide all the basic necessities of life: food, shelter, clothing and medicine.
The plant itself is easy to grow in temperate as well as tropical climates, and requires the usual amount of fertilizer and water, but no pesticides nor herbicides. A hemp crop is usually harvested in 100-120 days after reaching a height of 4-15 feet, depending on the variety. At that point one can make it into whatever suits their needs.
FOOD
The hemp seed is the only source of food from the hemp plant. It is not really a seed, but an achene -- a nut covered with a hard shell. Hemp seed is used for people and animal food, and industrial use. Whole hemp seeds imported to the United States or Canada must be sterilized to prevent sprouting. This is not the case in Europe where fresh seeds are used. Shelled hemp seeds are the latest technological advance.
Whole Seed
The whole seed contains roughly 25% protein, 30% carbohydrates, 15% insoluble fiber, Carotene, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron and zinc, as well as vitamins E, C, B1, B2, B3 and B6. Hemp seed is one of the best sources of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) with a perfect 3:1 ratio of Omega-6 Linoleic Acid and Omega-3 Linolenic Acid, good for strengthening the immune system. It is also a source of Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA) which is otherwise available only from specialty oils like evening primrose oil or borage oils. Whole seeds are made into snack bars, cookies and porridge, or they may be roasted and consumed alone or in a trail mix, or brewed with coffee or beer. Wild and domestic birds love hemp seeds, too.
Shelled Seed
By removing the outer coating of the hemp seed produces a wonderful nut that is being used in many different food applications, including snack bars, cookies, nutbutter, chips, pasta, tortillas and hummus. The flavor is nutty and can be used as a topping on just about anything. It can be roasted with spices or just eaten raw.
Seed Oil
Hemp seed is 30% oil and is low in saturated fats. Hemp seed oil is good for lowering cholesterol levels and strengthening cardiovascular systems. The oil has a pleasantly nutty flavor. Among the foods hemp seed oil is made into are sauces, butter, salad dressings, condiments and pesto. Processing of hemp seed oil starts with drying the seeds to prevent sprouting. The seeds are then pressed and bottled immediately under oxygen-free conditions. Hemp seed oil is fragile and should be kept refrigerated in dark, air tight containers.
Seed Meal and Presscake
The meat of the seed is also highly nutritious and versatile as a seed "meal" and may be made into hemp milk and cheese, non-dairy ice cream, burgers, and anything else one might conceive of. Left over from pressing the oil is the "presscake" -- high in amino acids, which can be crushed for animal feed or pulverized for flour to make breads, pastas or pancakes.
Throughout history, hemp has provided a nourishing food supply to many cultures around the world. In Asia, roasted hemp seed is eaten as a snack, like popcorn. In Russia, hemp butter was used as a condiment by the peasant folk. In Poland, seeds are used for holiday sweets. Hemp seed was eaten by Australians during two famines in the nineteenth century. The most famous hemp seed consumer is Buddha himself, who ate them during his fast of enlightenment.
Body Care
One of the fastest growing market sectors for hemp seed oil is body care products. The phenomenal essential fatty acid content of hemp oil makes it ideal as a topical ingredient in both leave-on and rinse-off bodycare products. The EFAs help soothe and restore skin in lotions and creams, and give excellent emolliency and smooth after-feel to lotions, lipbalms, conditioners, shampoos, soaps and shaving products.
Non-Food Oil Uses
Other non-food uses for hemp seed oil are lamp lighting, printing, lubrication, household detergents, stain removers, varnishes, resins and paints. In this area, hemp seed oil is similar to linseed oil.
FIBER
One of the most valuable parts of the hemp plant is the fiber, commonly referred to as "bast," meaning that it grows as a stalk from the ground. Other fibers such as sisal, manila hemp and jute are mistakenly referred to as hemp, yet only Cannabis sativa is considered "true hemp." Among the characteristics of hemp fiber are its superior strength and durability, and its resistance to rot, attributes that made hemp integral to the shipping industry. The strong, woody bast fiber is extracted from the stalk by a process known as decortications. Hemp fiber contains a low amount of lignin, the organic glue that binds plant cells, which allows for environmentally friendly bleaching without the use of chlorine. In composite form, hemp is twice as strong as wood. All products made with hemp fiber are biodegradable.
Long Fiber
Extracted from the bark of the stalk, this type of fiber is called "long" because it stretches the entire length of the plant. The length of the fiber enhances the strength and durability of the finished goods. Hemp can grow to 15 feet or more, making it excellent for textile production. Hemp is most similar to flax, the fiber of linen products. By contrast, cotton fibers are approximately 1-2 cm in length and are prone to faster wear. Hemp fiber also has insulative qualities that allow clothing wearers to stay cool in summer and warm in the winter. It also provides UV protection. Long hemp fiber is used in twine, cordage, textiles, paper, webbing and household goods.
Short Fiber
The short fibers, or 'tow," are the secondary hemp fibers. While not as strong as the long fibers, the tow is still superior to many other fibers. Tow is extracted from the long fibers during a process called "hackling," a method of combing and separating the fiber from hurd. Short fibers are used to make textiles, non-woven matting, paper, caulking, auto parts, building materials and household goods.
As long ago as 450 BC, the Scythians and Thracians made hemp linens. The Chinese first used hemp for paper making in 100 AD. Hempen sails, caulking and rigging launched a thousand ships during the Age of Discovery in the 15th century. The American Declaration of Independence was drafted, but not signed, on hemp paper.
Core
Also known as hurds or shives, the core is the woody material found in the center of the hemp stalk. It is rich in cellulose, a carbohydrate that can be made into paper, packaging and building materials, as well as plastic composites for making skate boards, auto bodies and interior auto parts such as door panels and luggage racks.
FUEL
Hemp biomass as a source of fuel is the most under-exploited use of hemp, due to the fact that it is economically unfeasible at this time. Hemp stalks can be used in the generation of energy through a process called "chemurgy" which is a cross between chemicals and energy. The hemp stalk can be converted into a charcoal-like substance through a process called pyrolysis, and used for power generation and to produce industrial feed stocks. Auto giant Henry Ford was a pioneer in the pyrolysis process, and operated a biomass pyrolytic plant at Iron Mountain in northern Michigan.
Because of its high yield potential, hemp has been acclaimed as an ideal biomass fuel. It can be burned as is, or processed into charcoal, methane, methanol, ethanol, or gasoline. Typical methodology for the processing of hemp for fuel is destructive distillation or "pyrolysis". Destructive distillation involves the subjection of hemp hurd to heat and distillation in the absence of air. Hemp charcoal as a biomass fuel can be burned in today's coal-powered generators. Alternatively, Methane can be produced by the anaerobic decay of hemp. Also, ethanol is typically made from cellulosic biomass, and hemp is an excellent source of high quality cellulosic biomass.
Although no processing would be required for this application, high transport costs would necessitate regional processing or power generating plants. The economic potential of this application in the short term is questionable, however, since hemp would have to compete with other agricultural waste products. North American agriculture currently generates over 350 million tons of cellulose waste a year (straw, corn husks, etc.) much of which is burnt in the field but has energy generating capacities generally at least equal to hemp (see table below).
Corn 16510
Grains, Cereals 17610
Wood 18660
Hemp 16450
While we sit here and drive up cost for Corn as food and feed for Cattle, there is a viable alternative.
So what are the benefits in moving forward:
In the current economic situation and with soaring prices of corn and other grains being converted to Ethanol Production, Hemp would really relieve some of this problem. It is found that Hemp is a great plant to utilize in crop rotations. While the field may not be viable for another crop of Corn, Hemp can make the field productive in numerous ways.
Second, every time we eliminate a need to import a product equates to US Dollars remaining here in our Country. Just like crude oil, we are throwing our money at someone else, rather than using our own resources and keeping our money flowing internally.
Third, the Fiber (Bast) can be used in producing very high quality paper products, thus reducing the amount of trees having to be harvested. Hemp fiber is far superior to long fiber pine pulp.
Fourth, economical benefits for Farmers are high, the oil from Hemp commands a price of $135/gallon wholesale. It is estimated that even low crop yields of Hemp would produce $99/acre and the high yields would average about $190.00/acre.
Fifth, further advantage of growing hemp for seed and whole stalk is that very little is required in terms of capital investment for new harvesting or processing technology and facilities. The crop can be planted and harvested with existing machinery, requiring at most only slight adaptations, and existing processing facilities can transform the crop into valuable oil and composite building products, both of which have certain qualities which are superior to products currently being produced out of more traditional raw materials.
Sixth, in both its cultivation and uses, hemp is considered an exceptionally environmentally friendly crop. Hemp requires little or no pesticides as it is naturally pest resistant. Hemp is also a natural herbicide known for its ability to smother weeds when grown at a density suitable for producing high quality bast fibre. Hemp also has lower net nutrient requirements than other common farm crops, since it can return 60-70% of the nutrients it takes from the soil when dried in the field. However, prior to the nutrient recycling, hemp extracts more nutrients per hectare than grain crops due to its fast biomass production. Its deep root system is also very beneficial as it is effective in preventing erosion, cleaning the ground, providing a disease break, and helping the soil structure by aerating the soil for future crops, when it is grown in rotation with other crops.
Some good reading for a House Bill that was being considered:
http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/crs/RL32725.pdf
In conclusion, maybe it is time that we have our Government relax a bit and take a serious and hard look at this Natural, Economical and Environmentally Friendly plant. Maybe we should put it on a National Vote. It is not like the DEA hasn’t already got plenty of other substances to worry about, which are actually much more harmful. With a fast growing epidemic of Crack and Meth across the Country, I almost welcome the ‘Pot Head’ with open arms.
I invite your thoughts and opinions! What do we do with the crops that become to high in content? Do we need to have a license program for growers? Sure, there will be problems to overcome, but in the overall picture, I think they are rather small when you look at the potential gains.
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