Essay on Industrial Hemp

Where Cannabis hemp differentiates from Cannabis marijuana is the amount of THC (Tetrahydrocannabiniods, what gives you the high) each contain. Hemp contains at most 1.5% and as little as 0.3% THC where marijuana can contain from 5% to 20% THC. Cannabis hemp also contains a higher amount of Cannabidiol also known as CBD which counteracts the effects of THC and reduces the neurological effects of THC. The hemp plant itself cannot contain more than the 1.5% THC because of its composition addressed on Hempethics.weebly.com, "The reason for the low THC content in hemp is that most THC is formed in resin glands on the buds and flowers of the female cannabis plant. Industrial hemp is not cultivated to produce buds, and therefore lacks the primary component that forms the marijuana high." Some dispute that if hemp is legalized it will be made to produce marijuana products which is scientifically impossible. Besides its chemical breakdown, the fibers in hemp are so durable they can be used as a substitute in place of wood materials. Its density is like that of bamboo and produces four times as much fiber per acre as pine trees which can help with problems like deforestation and green house effects.

II. [Topic Statement] First, hemp fibers from the stalks of the Cannabis plant have countless uses.

Marijuana, more botanically referred to as “Cannabis sativa” or “Hemp,” is a multiuse plant valued for its tough hemp fibers

Growing hemp is a much more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to cotton. “Cotton uses 1400 gallons of water to produce one pound of cotton, while hemp requires half that amound of water while producing 2.5 times more fiber than cotton. Cotton uses 25 percent of the world’s insecticides and 10 percent of the world’s pesticides. Hemp clothing is more durable, and when wet, the materials expand and become stronger. *Hemp also requires little to no pesticides. !!Replacing al or much of the world’s cotton crops with hemp would result in using 5 times less water to get the same yield. Replacing cotton with hemp would also remove almost 25 percent global insecticide use

On of your local grocery stores should carry Hemp Granola. They might even carry other Hemp items. The imported products are extremely popular. Americas inability to produce their own products. Forces local consumers to buy forienge items. Creating a profitable agricultural industry. Will help the local and national economy. It will also create thousands of American jobs. These improvements would decrease our need to import. From other countries and eliminate the need to import Hemp.

Just the mention of the word Cannabis in today’s society brings about all types of negative connotations. This is understandable due to the major propaganda campaign that has been waged by the U.S. government on the plant. Most citizens have no idea what a mature Cannabis plant looks like, and close to none recognize the thousands of uses it has. This is paper will not discuss whether drug-type Cannabis should be legalized for recreational or medicinal purposes, what it will discuss is the many environmentally friendly products that can be made from non-psychoactive hemp.

Specific Purpose: To provide my audience with a better understanding of how useful industrial hemp could be for the economy.

Many populations have grown hemp for its seed. Most of them eat it as `gruel ', a food similar to oatmeal. Hemp seeds do not contain any marijuana, so they do not cause a 'high '. Hemp seed protein closely resembles protein as it is found in the human blood, and it is easy to digest. In fact, people who have trouble digesting foods are given hemp seeds prescribed by their doctors. Hemp seed oil provides the human body with essential fatty acids and is the only seed that contains oils with almost no saturated fat. As a supplement to the diet, these oils can reduce the risk of heart disease. With hemp seed, a vegan or vegetarian can survive and eat virtually no saturated fats. One handful of hemp seed per day will supply adequate protein and essential oils for an adult.

Hemp produces one of the strongest fibers known to mankind, it is a versatile plant that provides for foods, combustibles, bioplastics.

Some people believe hemp and marijuana are very much alike, however, they are far from a like. Yes, they are in the same family, cannabis, but the only similarity they have is their looks. Yes they look alike but, marijuana is shorter and bushier while hemp is generally taller. Hemp is a plant. There isn’t anyone or anything on Earth that could turn hemp in to

crop with a vivid history spanning centuries. However, the hemp plant has been faced with controversy in the last 70 years. The industry is experiencing restrictions that are thought to be imposed by the current social, economic and political atmosphere surrounding key stakeholders, rather than any technical inferiority. Education regarding this subject seems inadequate and appears restricted to those who actively research the topic themselves. As a fiber and oilseed crop, hemp offers agricultural potential as well as the ability to be manufactured into valuable end uses. Possibilities exist for expanded growth in hemp markets and a closer look should be taken to reexamine the current situation

Industrial Hemp is an ancient crop, which has a multitude of diverse uses. The earliest uses of Hemp can be traced back to the Sumerians and probably even earlier in man’s unrecorded history. Industrial Hemp is not Marijuana though the two plants are of the same family and have passing resemblance to one another. Industrial Hemp’s myriad uses are being rediscovered and at the forefront of research in diverse fields. I will be attempting to dispel some of the myth, and providing history and proven uses of this amazing plant.

There are over 25,000 other economically feasible and environmentally friendly uses for marijuana including diesel fuel, insulation, paper, paint, beauty products and even food as its protein content is second only to soy (Mehling 11). With all of these environmentally friendly uses for hemp it seems almost irresponsible to not take advantage of its many advantages.

Cannabis, formally known as marijuana is a drug obtained from the tops, stems and leaves of the hemp plant cannabis. The drug is one of the most commonly used drugs in the world. Only substances like caffeine, nicotine and alcohol are used more (“Marijuana” 1). In the U. S. where some use it to feel “high” or get an escape from reality. The drug is referred to in many ways; weed, grass, pot, and or reefer are some common names used to describe the drug (“Marijuana” 1). Like most drugs, marijuana has a very long history. People have been using the plant around the world for thousands of years. The oldest record of the marijuana plant dates back to 2727 B. C. in China where the plant was used as a medical herb for treating conditions like rheumatism, gout, malaria and even absent-mindedness (“Cannabis, Coca, & Poopy: Nature’s Addictive Plants” 1). Slowly, the plant started spreading around the world. By 1545, cannabis was starting to appear throughout the western worlds. Being introduced to South America by the Spanish to be used as fiber. The crop also had many other common uses around the world. In North America, cannabis was often used to make paper, ropes, clothing and other materials (“The Origins of Cannabis” 1).

Throughout American history our country has come to rely on many different natural resources. With technology and the population increasing, the number of fossil fuel reserves and natural forests are going down. What America needs is a renewable source of fuels and fibers that will meet the growing needs of the future, but will not damage our environment. One of the most promising sources of fiber, fuel, and natural oil is hemp. Hemp, also known as Cannabis Sativa L, has been used in our country since the early 17th century (Schreiber 160). Although hemp is considered an illegal drug, many people forget that it is a part of our country’s history. Despite its negative connotations, hemp has the potential to revolutionize the paper,