Questions & Answers

Hemp, The Real Frontier

 

Why Hemp Clothing?

Advantages

Hemp clothing offers us many advantages because it's Eco friendly, strong and soft at the same time, and is very comfortable to wear on our skin. It's stretch and give provides great comfort, breath-ability and flexibility for our body movements.

Some describe Hemp clothing as having a life force of it's own. Instead of cotton shrinking in the wash, Hemp's unique qualities allow the clothing to stretch to our bodies uniqueness. It's strong and can be machine-washed, unless specified otherwise.

Heat drying is acceptable, but not always preferred. Sometimes hang drying is better, because dryers are ripping apart natural fibers in the long term.

Other great qualities of Hemp fabrics include absorption and mildew resistant benefits, and Hemp garments can also be worn with comfort year round. A breathable fiber in the summer, Hemp will keep you warm in the winter. Last but not least, an effective sun block from damaging ultraviolet rays Hemp is free from harsh chemicals that rub into our skin when we wear traditional cotton.

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Hemp Rocks!

What is Hemp?

The Latin name for Hemp is Cannabis Sativa. Sativa means "useful" in Latin, and was given to only the most resourceful staple crops. Hemp is one of the many strains of Cannabis Sativa, and the name most used when this annual plant is grown for non-drug purposes. When grown for industrial purposes Hemp is often called Industrial Hemp, and a common product is fiber for use in a variety of different ways.

K(a)N(a)B(a), the early Sumerian/Babylonian word for Cannabis Hemp, is one of Humankind's longest surviving root words.

Hemp was probably first used in Asia more than 10,000 years ago, and is among the oldest industries on the planet, going back to the beginnings of pottery. The earliest known fabric is woven from Hemp, and dates back to 8000 - 7000 B.C.

The fiber is dark tan or brown, and is difficult to bleach, but it can be dyed bright and dark colors. The Hemp fibers vary widely in length, depending upon their ultimate use. Industrial fiber may be several inches long, while fiber used for domestic textiles are about 3/4 inch to 1 inch (1.9 to 2.54 cm) long.

Fibers of Hemp and flax are alike, and flax is where linen comes from. In both Hemp and flax, the fibers are in the stalk of the plant. The fibers are something like the threads you see in a celery stalk - long, stringy and tough. To get at the fibers, you comb them out of the woody part of the dried stalk. The fibers tend to be coarser than cotton or wool, and they are very strong. This strength makes Hemp fibers the strongest natural fibers on the Planet!

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Balance

Is Hemp a Drug?

Please note that Hemp is NOT a drug. Cannabis strains known as Hemp used for over 25000 products does have relatively high levels of CBD (Cannabinoid), and low THC, which is responsible for the psychoactive effect, or high, from smoking Marijuana. Attempting to smoke Hemp high in CBD, and very low in THC, actually prevents the Marijuana's high. Smoking industrial Hemp will give you nothing but headache.

Much of the confusion between Hemp and Marijuana today can be traced back to the anti-drug campaigns that began in the 1920's. Trustfully this information brings light to our understanding of the true nature of Hemp and what it has to offer us.

 

 

An Unlimited Resource

How Hemp Grows?

Mysterious Plant

How does this mysterious plant, which requires no pesticides or herbicides, grow?

Its needs are quite simple. For cultivation Hemp is grown in both hot and cold climates (Hemp is frost tolerant), almost anywhere but North Pole. Hemp requires no pesticides, no herbicides or fertilizer, and less water than cotton. According to the World Book Encyclopedia: "Fiber Hemp can be sown simply by scattering the seed on the ground."

Approximately half the plant species grow male, and half female. Soon the female plants are removed, leaving only the male Hemp stalks, because in order for Hemp seed to ripen it must grow longer than it's female sister. The plants complete growth takes up to ninety days, and can reach up to twenty feet tall.

 

 

Hemp, The Real Frontier

Where is Hemp Grown?

Today industrial Hemp is grown in Australia, Canada, China, Germany, India, Spain, Russia, Romania, and many other countries where this valuable plant found many uses. These include the industrial purposes, for which cultivation licenses may be issued in the European Union (EU).

On an annual basis, 1 acre of Hemp will produce as much fiber as 2 to 3 acres of cotton. Hemp fiber is stronger and softer than cotton, lasts twice as long as cotton, and will not mildew. Many textile products (shirts, jackets, pants, backpacks, etc.) made from 100% Hemp, and Hemp blends, are now available.

One of the great advantages of Hemp for farmers lies in it's use as a rotation crop. Hemp plant breaks up the soil with its deep root system and eliminates weeds, feeding and healing the Earth, rather than taking the nutrients, thus leaving the land ready for the direct sowing of winter crops. An enthusiastic response to this potential has brought about the large-scale introduction of Hemp into areas where it was not traditionally cultivated.

 

 

Woven Through Life

Hemp in American History.

Did you know that all sails, rope and riggings on the ships that discovered America were made out of Hemp. The covered wagons of the early Pioneers used Hemp canvas. First American flag was made with Hemp cloth, so were the first pair of Levi Strauss pants. The original drafts of Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States were written on Hemp paper as well.

Hemp was second to tobacco as the crop to grow in early America. The demand for tobacco in England, kept the farmers busy with this cash crop. Most of the Hemp crop in America was used at home in local commerce, much to the dismay of King George and the English Navy.

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both grew Hemp. This country's founding fathers were Hemp farmers. Abraham Lincoln lit his reading lamps with Hemp oil. Benjamin Franklin started one of America's first paper mills with Hemp paper, and it was not just any string that connected him to the clouds above for his famous experiment, it was Hemp string.

Washington said, "Make the most of the Hemp seed and sow it everywhere."
Ask yourself this question: How does George Washington get to grow Hemp and now we can't? It gets to the core of the question, what happened in the last 200 years that we lost such an important right, namely the control of agricultural production. This prohibition must come to an end. What an incredible embarrassment it would be to have to explain to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson that they would have to pull up their Hemp crops.

Americans were legally bound to grow Hemp during the Colonial Era and Early Republic. Jamestown Colony, Virginia, enacted the New World's first Hemp legislation in 1619, ordering all farmers to grow Indian Hemp seed. Mandatory Hemp cultivation laws were passed in Massachusetts in 1631 and in Connecticut in 1632. Cannabis was frequently used for barter, and during times of shortage, farmers sometimes face jail terms for not growing Hemp. Some colonies allowed farmers to pay taxes with Hemp.

The American Cowboy used Hemp Lassos to tame the Old West. The cowboy's lasso or lariat, was 20 to 40 feet of braided rawhide, horsehair, or plain durable Hemp.

Hemp was grown at California Missions. The Missions were agricultural settlements and growing Hemp for food and fiber some of these Missions endured and became permanent.

Prior to the Revolution, Hemp had become a major staple and was also a source of supply for a certain amount of home manufacturing carried on to some degree by all families. It is also said that the finest laces of the old days were always made of Hemp, in preference to any other fiber. Hemp linen was used in North America in the making of shirts, jackets, and trousers. In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote "Common Sense," the document that led to the Declaration of Independence. From Section IV comes the quote, "In almost every article of defense we abound. Hemp flourishes even to rankness, so that we need not want cordage."

In 1776 Patriot Wives and Mothers organize spinning bees to clothe Washington's troops, spinning the thread from Hemp fibers. Over a thousand yards of cloth with Hemp and wool filling were made at Mount Vernon, George Washington's estate. Without Hemp, the Continental Army would have frozen to death at Valley Forge.

In June 19, 1812 The United States goes to war with Great Britain after being cut off from 80% of its Russian Hemp supply. War of 1812 was fought over Hemp trade routes. Napoleon invades Russia to sever Britain's illegal trade in Russian Hemp.

In 1850 United States Census counts 8,327 Hemp plantations (farms with a minimum size of 2,000 acres) growing Cannabis Hemp for industrial purposes.

In 1938 Popular Mechanics described Hemp as the new "Billion Dollar Crop". "Mechanical Engineering" called Hemp the most profitable and desirable crop that can be grown.

In 1941 Henry Ford built a car that was made with Hemp plastics and ran on Hemp fuel, and in 1942 US Government called farmers to start growing Hemp again during WWII to support our economy with the USDA pro-cannabis classic, "Hemp for Victory".

The U.S. Constitution and Flag, two of our most cherished symbols were made of Hemp before it was prohibited. Hemp was once widely grown and used by our forefathers. It is time for America to start growing Hemp for the benefit of society and nature.

 

 

Expanding Beyond Our Limitations

Hemp, Science, Culture and Religion.

Historical Buddha (560 B.C. - 480 B.C.) was nourished with Hemp seed. After renouncing the World, and through all sorts of hardship, even to the point of eating only Hemp seed for three years, Buddha sought to gain insight to life's meanings.

In First Century A.D. The Chinese begin making paper from Hemp and Mulberry, giving scholars an inexpensive means of preserving information. Chinese science and knowledge remained vastly superior to that of the West for 1,400 years.

1150: Moslems use cannabis to start Europe's first paper mill.

1455: The first printed Bibles were on Hemp Paper. German goldsmith Johann Gutenberg created a masterpiece of a run of 200 gorgeously typeset Bibles printed on Hemp Paper.

The Old Dutch Masters Painted on Hemp Canvas. The paintings of Rembrandt, Van Gogh and others were primarily painted on Hemp Canvas.

Mark Twain's works were printed on Hemp Paper. American writer, journalist, humorist, who won a Worldwide audience for his stories, a one time printer and Mississippi steamboatman, wrote his great American books on Hemp Paper.

 

It's Very Impressive!

Where Hemp is Used?

No other natural resource offers the potential of Hemp. Cannabis Hemp is capable of producing significant quantities of paper, textiles, building materials, food, medicine, paint, detergent, varnish, oil, ink, and yes, fuel. Unlike other crops, Hemp can grow in most climates, and on most farmland throughout the World, with moderate water and fertilizer requirements, no pesticides, and no herbicides, and has enormous potential to become a major natural resource that can benefit both the economy and the environment.

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Spinning The Yarn

Hemp Textiles.

The invention of fabrics dates from the dawn of Civilization, probably as a result of braiding plant fibers to make nets, ropes, baskets, and wicker objects. The actual weaving of fabrics appeared nearly everywhere in the World during, or just prior to, the third millennium B.C. But of the approximately seven hundred fibrous plants that could have been spun into thread, only half a dozen were commonly employed: cotton, flax, Hemp, jute, sisal, and ramie.

Archaeologists think that Mankind first began to weave Hemp and Flax In the Neolithic Age. The word "Canvas" came from the word Cannabis. Sails, rope and riggings on ships, and canvas that were used for clothing, all were made from Hemp for a very long time.

Despite its notorious reputation for coarseness, Herodotus, the famous Greek historian, noted that skillful Scythians and Thracians in the fifth century B.C. were able to weave fine cloth from Hemp: "Someone without great experience would not recognize whether they were of Hemp or Linen, and whoever has not yet seen Hemp cloth would think the garments were of Linen".

In medieval Europe, Hemp was used to make underclothing and household linen, as well as rope. Brownish-gray in color, thicker and coarser than Linen, when new, Hemp cloth was often preferred by religious communities and, due to its much lower cost, by the poor. However, anyone lucky enough to touch a length of aged, well-used Hemp cloth is amazed by the extreme softness and substantial drape of the fabric, which is similar to that of heavy flannel.

Starting around 1322 the finest sheets were of Linen, most were of Hemp, and the poorest woven from tow, scrap hemp, or flax combing. From the Middle Ages to the end of the nineteenth century, the most commonly used fiber was Flax, followed by a significant amount of the less costly Hemp.

Up to the end of the seventeenth century, sheets were generally made from Linen or Hemp. Historians, citing the fact that the founding of the Hemp-weavers guild long predated that of the Linen-weavers, believe that Hemp was far more common than Linen until the late fourteenth century. In the hierarchy of textiles, Linen and Hemp cloth were followed by fabrics made from tow (hemp) and canvas (hemp), theoretically aimed at modest folk.

In Europe throughout history Hemp was used more widely in the countryside than in towns, since every farm had its field of Hemp (and perhaps another of Flax), designed to meet the daily household fabric requirements. For centuries the standard plants used for household linen were Hemp and Flax, until Cotton (pure or blended with synthetic fibers) finally took the lead.

Today, as raw material for textiles, Hemp is grown in Europe from the Northern Baltic region to Southern Italy, and many other places throughout the World.

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Let Your Body Breath

Hemp For Healthy Living.

For healthy living the modern uses for Hemp are extremely versatile. The whole plant can be used for fuel substitutes such as boilers and feedstock. The Hemp seed is used for oil in food and cosmetics, the fibers for clothing, rope, construction materials and paper.

Any building materials such as cement, insulation and fiberglass also can be made with Hemp fibers. The inner core, which resembles wood chips, is for paper, insulation material, animal bedding, mulch and compost. The inner core also serves as material for manufacturing Eco plastics.

Imagine our everyday plastic products coming from renewable sources, and having potential to biodegrade back into our Mother Earth. Today most plastic packaging adds additional waste leaving us stuck with unlimited amount of trash. Logically our dumpsites are not getting any smaller and soon we will start dumping our trash into outer space. When will this abuse stop? Coming to the rescue are Hemp plastics, which are biodegradable and renewable resource that will reduce harsh chemicals and waste accompanying traditional plastic.

 

 

Being Conscious Of What Happens To Earth

Hemp Paper.

Is the value we place on our forests diminishing? There's a connection to why we have such health problems. The clear cuts in our forests are an outward manifestation of the clear cuts that exist in ourselves.

In the past, maps, log books, Bibles, books were all made of rag bond paper that had a high Hemp content from recycled clothes, sails, ropes, tents, etc. The collection and recycling of rags for paper was an industry for hundreds of years in Europe, and a lesson to us on the importance of paying attention to recycling in general.

As trees are cut down for paper products they are not able to act as a filtration system to clean our air, because nearly 80% of the World's original old growth forests have been logged, which also reduces habitats for animals and other species that are growing to be extinct.

It all happens now, while back in 1916 The United States Department of Agriculture issued Bulletin No. 404 "Hemp Hurds as Paper-Making Material", printed on Hemp Paper, outlining a revolutionary new Hemp pulp technology invented by USDA scientists Dewey Lyster and Jason Merrill.

The bulletin listed increased production capacity and superior quality among the advantages of using Hemp hurds for pulp. It states, "Every tract of 10,000 acres which is devoted to Hemp raising year by year is equivalent to a sustained pulp producing capacity of 40,500 acres of average wood-pulp lands. Hence, an acre of Hemp produces four times as much pulp as an acre of trees". In 1917 industrialist Henry Timken and inventor George Schlichten estimated that with the use of proper technology Hemp could produce 50,000 tons of paper for $25 per ton - 50% less than the cost of newsprint.

Today number of companies in Canada, China and countries in Europe work with Hemp pulp to produce paper, and larger variety of Hemp paper products are available in the US.

On an annual basis, 1 acre of Hemp will produce as much paper as 2 to 4 acres of trees. From tissue paper to cardboard, all types of paper products can be produced from Hemp. Global demand for paper will double within 25 years. Unless tree-free sources of paper are developed, there is no way to meet future demand and reverse massive deforestation and environmental damage that has been already done. Hemp is the World's most promising source of tree-free paper.

The quality of Hemp paper is superior to tree-based paper. Hemp paper will last hundreds of years without degrading, can be recycled many more times than tree-based paper, and requires significantly less toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process than does paper made from trees.

Hemp can be used to produce fiberboard that is stronger than wood, lighter than wood, and fire retardant. Substituting Hemp fiberboard for timber would further reduce the need to cut down our forests.

It takes up to 500 years for trees to grow until they can be harvested for paper or wood, but Hemp is ready for harvesting only 90 days after it is planted. Hemp can grow on most land suitable for farming in all 50 States. Harvesting Hemp rather than trees would also eliminate erosion due to logging, thereby reducing topsoil loss and water pollution caused by soil runoff.

The paper manufacturer Robert Fletcher & Sons, has stopped using textiles for paper because it is almost impossible to obtain them free of synthetic materials which wreak havoc on the machinery. It now imports raw Hemp fiber from France.

Promotion of a sustainable agriculture with Hemp supplying our paper products will help future generations to enjoy the remainder of our forests, less fossil fuels and harsh emissions giving us clean air to breath once again.

 

 

Celebrate Life!

Hemp Foods.

Did you know that Hemp seeds are a wonderful source for human nutrition? As beneficial oil for optimum health Hemp supplies all essential amino acids in a digestible form high in protein and Omega-3/Omega-6 acids. In high concentrates these Omegas are known as Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), which are good fats and are absolutely necessary for a healthy balanced diet, tissue growth and metabolism.

Resembling sesame seed in appearance, Hemp is comparable to sunflower seed in taste and is used in many products including bread, cereal, hummus, salad dressings, hemp waffles, and even Hemp milk and Hemp beer. The food manufacturers promote Hemp for its exceptional nutritional and taste benefits.

Hemp seeds contain a protein that is more nutritious and more economical to produce than soybean protein. Hemp seeds are not intoxicating. Hemp seed protein can be used to produce virtually any product made from soybean: tofu, veggie burgers, butter, cheese, salad oils, ice cream, milk, etc. Hemp seed can also be ground into a nutritious flour that can be used to produce baked goods such as pasta, cookies, and breads.

 

 

Let's Take Care Of Our Bodies

Hemp Cosmetics and Body Care.

A natural emollient and moisturizer for our skin Hemp body care products offer many benefits ranging from healing and rejuvenating to beauty and nourishment. Hemp balm can help cure minor cuts and relieve itch from insect bites. Most importantly with regular usage Hemp helps to alleviate common skin problems such as dry, cracking skin.

Known as one of the richest sources of polyunsaturated fats, including the essential Omega-3 and Omega-6, this natural wonder aids as emollient and moisturizer and assists the body's natural ability to heal and bring restorative qualities to our skin. Available in many products from shampoos, soaps, lotions, lip-balm, massage oils and perfumes, once combined with other herbs, Hemp is a pleasurable experience for all.

 

 

Happily Ever After

Hemp Fuel.

Hemp seed oil can be used to produce nontoxic Bio-Fuel, paint, varnish, detergent, ink and lubricating oil. Because Hemp seeds account for up to half the weight of a mature Hemp plant, Hemp seed is a viable source for these products.

During the 1930's the Ford Motor Company developed various fuel compounds and polymer resins (Bio-plastics) out of Hemp, and successfully used them in test vehicles. A true visionary, Ford gave the World a glimpse of the future with All-Organic Car.

Just as Corn can be converted into clean-burning Ethanol Fuel, so can Hemp. Because Hemp produces more Bio-mass than any plant species (including Corn), and can be grown in a wide range of climates and locations, Hemp has a great potential to become a major source of Ethanol Fuel in the future.