In 1937, the U.S government implemented "The Marijuana Tax Act", thus criminalizing every cannabis species; including hemp, the plant's non-intoxicating family member. The movement was led by Harry Anslinger, who served as the first commissioner of the U.S. Treasury Department's Federal Bureau of Narcotics. Anslinger drove up a racist driven hate campaign to demonize the plant, but the fact remains, it's hemp's therapeutic healing powers and industrial flexibility that inspired the campaign.
Hemp enthusiasts believe that the plant's potential to crumble government-funded industries is the reason. Could this be true? Let's explore what you can do with hemp.
You Can Smoke Hemp Flower
Hemp is non-intoxicating as it contains low traces of the psychotropic molecule, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). It's no secret that cannabis flower is often used as a recreational substance, but smoking hemp flower is a real thing, and for good reason.
Recreational cannabis and hemp share the same compounds, but the THC and CBD ratios differ, largely in favor of one or the other. If you're a fan of smoking the herb, then you should try some premium CBD flower.
Smoking hemp flower doesn't get you high, but it does offer consumers a calming sensation. This is a result of both CBD (cannabidiol) and its terpene profile. By scent and sight, you couldn't tell the difference, but when you smoke CBD flower, you induce more of a body "high".
CBD Extracts
If you still haven't tried CBD oil, then head here and catch up with the times. CBD products are available in all shapes and sizes.
You can purchase CBD Oils and tinctures, CBD capsules, CBD isolate, CBD vape-liquids, CBD gummies, etc...
I really had to pause with the list as it's becoming infinite. The CBD craze has literally gone crazy! CBD pillows, yes, that's a thing.
Hemp is Good for the Environment
How on earth was hemp criminalized? The plant's industrial flexibility is outstanding. Hemp can replace plastic and is 100 percent biodegradable, and can produce viable biodiesel - making the oil industry obsolete; furthermore, hemp makes solid timber; consequently, retiring the timber industry.
In addition, hemp's history as natural medicine could obsolete many pharmaceutical drugs.
Can you see why the world's governments feared hemp's legality? The plant had the potential to eradicate the oil and timber industries, and severely cripple the profits made on pharmaceuticals.
A Healthy Diet
Hulled hemp seeds are rich in Vitamin B and contain over 30 percent protein. Additionally, they contain magnesium, iron, and copper.
Hemp is a welcome addition to the food world - particularly for vegans. Richard Rose, "The Hemp Nut", of Hemp Nut Inc, pioneered the hemp food industry. During the 1990s, Richard helped create the North American hemp food industry and is one of the hemp plants nearest and most successful allies.
Not only is hemp packed with nutrition, but it also offers the fundamentals to provide a full meal as it replicates the soybean in meat-alternative dishes. Hemp is technically a vegetable and is a healthier option than soy foods.
There's also hemp milk, which is low in calories and packed with protein and healthy fat.
Hemp Clothing
It makes perfect sense to replace cotton with hemp. The plant is more cost-effective, as hemp produces triple the amount per year. Moreover, hemp feels much better on your skin and is more temperature adaptable with the climate.
Hemp's durability makes it a perfect material for footwear, offering you the opportunity for high quality, 100 percent vegan shoes.
Hemp's Incredible History
The ancient Egyptians made full use of the hemp plant. Evidence remains in Egyptian hieroglyphics, where the cannabis leaf makes a regular appearance, often as a gift. Hemp was used as a source of food, medicine, and industrial fiber.
In the 1600s, hemp went global. What began a century earlier, King Henry ordered British farmers to allocate a percentage of their land for the hemp cultivation which was later exported. After reaching Australia a century later, hemp had become ubiquitous.
Hemp was invaluable during the birth of the United States. By the late 17th century, hemp was manufactured for industrial purposes and used as a food source.
In the dawn of the 20th Century, Henry Ford showcased hemp's durability further. He had a vision that came to fruition when in 1941, he launched a prototype of a car that was fuelled by and mostly made from hemp. It is a combination of Cannabis Prohibition, and World War Two, that ended Ford's dream.
Hemp was called upon during the second world war when in 1942 resources were scarce, and the United States military needed hemp's fiber. The United States Department of Agriculture launched "Hemp For Victory", a short film to encourage farmers to grow hemp to supply the war effort.
What is Hemp's Future?
Now that cannabis prohibition is finally coming to an end, hemp is picking up from where it left off; only we know even more about the plant.
It's evident that hemp will play a crucial role in preventing the destruction of our eco-system. Hemp produces more timber and oxygen than tree per acre, and also absorbs much more C02. Consequently, hemp can save the rainforest.
With oil supply depleting, alternative fuel is upon us and hemp biodiesel is an ideal solution. As hemp is a crop, you cannot exhaust its supply; making it a welcomed addition to crop alternatives. In fact, hemp's ability as viable biodiesel and its bountiful return of supply per acre question the necessity of the oil industry's existence.
Hemp can curb the world's hunger crisis as it can produce so much in sech few acreage, and with a constant and cost-effective supply.
The legendary Jack Herer once said: “I don’t know if hemp is going to save the world, but it’s the only thing that can”. Well, it certainly makes an impact.