The Perfect Plant
by Katherine Roseth
A perfect plant has existed for thousands of years. This plant nourishes soil, grows without herbicides and in various climates, matures quickly and provides high yields. It is extremely versatile and can be made into paneling, carpet backing, paper, injection-molded plastics, clothing and accessories. The seeds of this diverse plant can be processed into basic commodities such as flour and oil, which in turn are used to make breads, salad dressings, cereals, chips, etc. The nutritional content of the seeds are higher then that of soybeans. Do you know what plant has all these characteristics.
Here's another clue. It is grown throughout the world, but it is currently legal to grow in only one state within the U.S. This plant can give farmers the opportunity to practice a type of sustainable agriculture that is profitable, protects the environment, and can strengthen the health of rural communities. If you guessed hemp, you are correct. Hemp can be a controversial topic. This article will present an introduction to hemp regarding its history, where it's grown and its products.
The 10,000 Year Old Plant
For 10,000 years prior to its prohibition in the U.S. in the late 1930s, hemp was an integral part of human existence throughout the world. Hemp cultivation for industry originally developed in Eurasia and China, and eventually spread throughout the Mediterranean and Europe. It was the main source for making clothes, bedding mats and nets until the introduction of cotton in the 9th Century. In the 12th Century, the first European hemp paper mill was established in Spain. In the Netherlands and in Britain, hemp imports and exports sustained a strong shipping industry. Hemp made its way to the American colonies by the Spanish in the 16th Century and was grown throughout the United States. Even George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp. It was used in many everyday items such as rope, linens and thread until its prohibition in 1937. During the 1930s, Popular Mechanics declared hemp to be the "billion dollar crop" of the future due to new developments in the fiber decortication process.
Where It Is Grown
Hemp is legal for cultivation in countries such as Canada, China, France, Germany, Holland and the United Kingdom. China, Hungary and Poland are major hemp exporters with China currently leading both in volume and quality.
Since 1990, it has been legal to import hemp to the United States, and to manufacture products with imported hemp. Domestic cultivation is still prohibited in most states. However a number of states, including Minnesota, are seeking legislation and/or federal permits allowing farmers to grow hemp. As of December of 1999, Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. to obtain permission from the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) to grow industrial hemp.
One Plant Becomes Many Products
Hemp has two main parts that are used to make a number of products, the seed and the stalk. The hemp seed is mainly used for producing food products. From the stalks come fibers, which are used for a number of different items including building materials, paper and cloth. Currently there are over 700 companies, in Canada and in the U.S., which produce thousands of products from hemp. Here are a few examples of commonly found products made from hemp:
Cloth. As a textile, hemp is significantly stronger than cotton. Hemp, unlike cotton, can be produced from the same acre of land with little to no pesticides. Hemp can be blended with cotton, silk, rayon, or wool. Hemp fiber is one the strongest and most durable of all the natural textile fibers. Other benefits of hemp textile include: it holds its shape, it gets softer with wear, it is naturally resistant to mold and ultraviolet light, and it retains its color better than any fabric, including cotton.
Paper. One acre of hemp yields the same amount of paper pulp as four acres of trees without the noxious chemical processing required in the patented wood pulp paper process. Hemp paper does not yellow like wood pulp paper, and can be recycled many more times than its counterpart.
Food. Like soybeans, hemp seed can be ground, soaked or crushed for their oil content. The remaining seed cake can be processed into flour for making breads, cakes, pastas and cookies. Hemp oil is used to make products such as butter, tofu and cheese. The HempNut Corporation is one U.S. company that has been successful in expanding the use of the dehulled hemp seed to create hemp products such as burgers, couscous and peanut butter. Dehulled hemp seeds do not contain the drug tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive substance in marijuana, and will not cause any effects of feeling "high." Currently, the U.S. federal government requires the sterilization of seeds, thus removing any residue and minute amounts of THC.
One pound of hemp seed contains 100 grams of protein, and contains a higher number of vitamins and minerals compared to soy. In addition, hemp seed is a nutritional source of calcium, magnesium, fiber, iron, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin A, and is an excellent source of essential fatty acids such as linolenic acid and gamma-linolenic acid. Essential fatty acids strengthen your immune system and can reduce your chances of getting heart disease. (Ref. The Hemp Food Association web site, article by Richard Rose)
Hemp fiber is currently more expensive than cotton fiber, and hemp oil is higher priced than other types of oil. However, if growing restrictions are lifted, it would be reasonable to expect change in the cost of hemp products.
In closing, hopefully the information found in this article provided insight into this near perfect plant and what its benefits are to our health, economy and environment, and dispelled any myths you may have about products made from hemp.
References:
Hemp-Agro International - www.hempagro.com
HempNut, Incorporated - www.thehempnut.com
The Hemp Food Association - www.hempfood.com
"Hemp Industry Prepares to Grow," Mari Kane publisher of The International Hemp Journal, In Business, November/December, 1999.