The Potential Rebound Of 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

“Each year the world loses up to 58 thousand square miles of forest for paper, construction materials, firewood, and agriculture (Deforestation).” Yet a much more sustainable crop that has been cultivated for thousands of years can greatly remedy this issue. Hemp, the cousin of the marijuana plant; banned back in 1937 through the “Marihuana Tax Act” which made possetion of hemp and marihuana as well as transfer, illegal. However, as of 2015, congress has passed “The Industrial Hemp Farming Act”, and now it is up to the individual states on what to do next. People are still unsure about hemp due to the similarities to its cousin. However, I know that hemp is the key to save the world’s forests because it is a much more sustainable source of paper, clothing, and construction materieals.

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.

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.

Hemp is the perfect substitution for making paper than trees. There are about 220 million pounds of toxic pollution that are let out into the air and water annually during the process of making paper from trees. At the same time, deforestation also drives climate change and reduces the filtration of carbon dioxide to oxygen. Most species of trees can take up to thirty years to be grown to harvest opposed to hemp that can be grown within the span of months. Also, because hemp is a reusable resource, hemp paper can be recycled up to 7 times, when paper made from trees can only be recycled a maximum of 3 times. By using hemp paper could have a tremendous effect in the way the war on global warming is

Hemp can be cultivated for fiber or oilseed. It has many uses. It can be used to make thousands of products, from clothing to auto parts. From 1999 to 2013, 17 states legalized it in some way. Some states enacted

Many knowledgeable people who know and understand the potential of industrial hemp are convinced that it is one of the world's most perfect products. Its fiber makes rope and cloth which is very strong and resilient and when used to make paper products, the production is far tidier and much more efficient than using wood to make paper. Hemp is indeed considered one of the world's oldest agricultural products and hemp has a history in the United States that includes the fact that the Declaration of Independence and the original St. James Bible are actually printed on hemp paper. The list of practical uses is lengthy and impressive, but due to drug laws in the United States the growing of cannabis for industrial hemp uses is illegal; this has been a source of considerable controversy in the United States. The uses of industrial hemp and the debate as to whether industrial hemp farming should be allowed in the U.S. will be reviewed and critiqued in this paper.

Cannabis is a plant that has been around for 38-million-years (Heilig, S., 2011). Before the 20th century cannabis had been used in a multitude of ways, one of which included medicinal practices. Up until the 1940’s Cannabis was listed in America’s pharmacopeia (Heilig, S., 2011). According to historical records, it was used for medicinal purposes dating back to 2800 BCE (Heilig, S., 2011). The tops, or flower of the plant are used for medicine or as a relaxant. The stocks also known as hemp, can be used in a variety of ways. Hemp is a renewable energy source that has the potential to replace fossil fuels without causing harm to the environment as it is biodegradable (Heilig, S., 2011). As well, hemp could be used for raw material to create paper and this could help end deforestation (Heilig, S., 2011). Not only paper, but it has the ability to replace plastic bags and styrofoam; this would be known as a hemp based cellophane (Heilig, S., 2011). Examining the plant further, cannabis seeds are a complete high protein and vegetarian food for humans, as well as livestock or poultry (Heilig, S., 2011). Hemp seed oil has the exact ratio (3:1) of essential fatty acids omega 6 and

It can also be used to make paper, where one acre will equal the amount of four acres of trees. "In addition, hemp has an average growing cycle of only 100 days and leaves the soil virtually weed-free for the next planting" (NORML, 1). Also there is the hemp seed, which some refer to as nature's perfect food. The oil from hemp seeds has the highest percentage of essential fatty acids and the lower percentage of saturated fats than any food, and also is second only to soy in protein content. Steps are being made to at least legalize the use of hemp, for there are really no disadvantages in growing it. "In 1996, politicians in four states introduced legislation allowing for domestic hemp cultivation and by legislative session's end, both Hawaii and Vermont had passed measures promoting industrial hemp research." (NORML, 1).

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.

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,