Hemp a diverse and vital eco-product

Vegetarian Baby and Child, Jan-Feb, 2003 by N. Glenn Perrett

I just finished Robert Hunter's informative book 2030: Confronting Thermageddon in Our Lifetime. The book is about global warming and the catastrophic consequences our dependence on fossil fuels, combined with our environmentally destructive ways, is having on the planet. The message is clear: we must stop our harmful ways and begin to live "greener" lifestyles--and we must do so now!

One easy way to lessen our impact on Mother Earth is to use products that have less of an impact on the environment. Several years ago I heard many positive things about hemp; everything from comfortable, durable clothes to paper is made from this incredible plant. I decided to learn more about hemp and to test some of the products made from it.

Hemp -- A Brief History

Hemp has been in use for more than 10,000 years and was the first crop cultivated for textile production. Clothing, paper, rope and sails have been only a few of the many products made from this incredible plant since approximately 8000 BC. In the USA, both Presidents Washington and Jefferson grew hemp. Benjamin Franklin owned a mill that produced hemp paper, while Henry Ford made both a car body and car fuel from hemp. For more than 200 years, hemp was an important crop for American farmers. Unfortunately, in 1937 Congress put a prohibitive tax on hemp production (Marijuana Tax Act) that effectively destroyed the hemp industry. Hemp is currently grown in many countries including China, Russia, and France. In Canada, hemp was banned in 1938, but was allowed to be grown commercially in recent years.

Hemp and Its Uses

Hemp is an annual herbaceous plant that grows from 3 to 16 feet in height. The hemp plant has a very strong natural fiber. Industrial hemp contains less than 1% of THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive component of marijuana.

The list of items made from hemp is endless. Some of the common uses include food, paper, textiles, and construction materials. Hemp is an excellent plant for these items and more because it is good for the environment, can be grown in many areas suitable for other plants, and because it has a high yield. Some of the positive attributes of hemp are:

* It can be grown without pesticides and herbicides.

* It can be cultivated in as few as 100 days.

* It requires fewer toxic chemicals and dyes compared to other fibers.

* Hemp seeds are very nutritious and contain essential amino and fatty acids.

* It is naturally resistant to mildew, mold and UV rays.

* It can be successfully grown in arid areas and regions with short growing seasons.

* It preserves nutrients in the soil.

* Clothing made from hemp is durable and long lasting.

* Hemp paper is naturally acid-free, can last for hundreds of years, and is made with less energy and fewer pollutants than paper made from trees.

Hemp, the Environment, and the Future

Global warming is here. The big question is just how devastating the environmental impact on the planet will be. We must lessen our use of, and dependence on, products that destroy the earth. Reducing, and eventually eliminating, our need for fossil fuels must happen--and soon. We must also drastically reduce our use of chemicals. These lofty and vital goals are attainable, and a good start would be for countries, governments, and consumers to start embracing products made from hemp. If this happens, a major step will have been taken to start restoring the health of the planet.

Hemp Products Reviewed

While I had heard many good things about clothing and other products made from this plant, I wanted to check the quality of these products myself. While I expected that most of the items made from hemp would be of good quality, I was surprised that all of those I tried were exceptional. The following are short reviews of hemp products I've tried recently, and the names of online stores where they can be obtained. Take your time visiting these sites. Not only do they offer high quality products that are good for the environment, but they also provide considerable information about this important plant.

* These stores are located in Canada; the rest are in the USA.

Pangea Vegan Products

www.veganstore.com

Tel: (800) 340-1200

Email: info@veganstore.com

Pangea Vegan Products offers an excellent selection of hemp items. We tried three hemp items from this online store--a belt, a wallet and a briefcase.

I've never liked belts until I tried the hemp webbing belt (natural color with a black buckle). This attractive, lightweight belt is comfortable, durable, and goes well with jeans. While most wallets are heavy and bulky, the hemp tri-fold wallet that I tried was compact, light, and comfortable. My wife Lynn has been using the Artisan Hemp Briefcase for work. This soft-sided, attractive briefcase holds considerable "stuff" in its numerous pockets. Measuring 15 x 12 x 5 inches, the briefcase features a cushion grip, and it can be worn as a backpack simply by adjusting the strap. The fact that pet hair doesn't adhere to it is another popular feature in our household! Lynn is delighted with this quality "eco-briefcase."