Hemp History Week

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Hemp History Week was designed to show the benefits of hemp, while celebrating the plant’s tradition in America. What started as a small awareness campaign, Hemp History Week has evolved into a celebration showcasing hundreds of events across the country; a grassroots media and public outreach program capable of changing public perception, while bringing communities together in fellowship.

The history of Hemp in the United States is rich in tradition.
Colonists were required to grow hemp, the US Constitution was drafted on paper made from hemp, and Henry Ford’s car was designed to run on hemp. What started so gloriously, unfortunately, became awash in mis-perceptions, beginning with a smear campaign led by petrol companies to thwart the competition. Associating hemp with marijuana led to effective prohibition in 1937 with the Marijuana Tax Act. American farmers have been denied the right to grow the most beneficial plant on Earth ever since. Many other industrial nations, including our neighbor to the north, Canada, are currently cultivating hemp and enjoying economic and environmental benefits that should be shared by Americans.
Why Hemp?
Because hemp is known as the most beneficial plant in the World. Some of the myriad uses of hemp are in the following applications:

• Food
  Hemp contains all of the essential amino acids in exactly the proportions that humans need, in just three tablespoons of seed or oil a day. The proteins in hemp are so easily digestible, that scientists advise their use for treating malnourished people. Adding hemp foods into one’s diet is an excellent way to improve cell development, muscle growth and general well being. (see hemp seeds )
• Fiber
  Hemp fibers can be used to make fabrics, canvas, rope, shoes… the list goes on and on. Hemp fibers are extremely durable, fire resistant and breathable. Molds and mildew are never a problem, making hemp nautical items extremely attractive. At one point, farmers were ordered to grow hemp for the Navy because international warring factions cut off import routes and caused the need for domestic production. (see hemp clothing)
• Fuel
  Hemp can be used in many ways to solve fuel shortage problems. Hemp seed oil effectively runs a diesel engine with no modification necessary. Hemp pellets can be burned in wood burning stoves for heat, a carbon negative product instead of carbon heavy wood pellets. Scientists are even studying Hemp as a biomass, noting the plant’s ability to be reproduced quickly, keeping up with market demand. (see hemp fuel)
• Plastics
  Hemp oil replaces petroleum as a base ingredient in all plastic materials, making hemp plastic products biodegradable and compostable. Imagine if all of the plastic bags, baby diapers and plastic forks were able to decompose quickly in garden rather than fill up our landfills and oceans. The Earth would be a much cleaner and more sustainable planet. (see hemp plastic)
• Building
  Build your house with Hemp! Many new hemp building products are now on the market. Walls made from Hemp are known to be breathable and resistant to water damage. HempCrete walls regulate the carbons in the air on both the exterior and interior of the building structure. The walls actually petrify over time become extremely hard and will last for potentially hundreds of years. Hemp oil paints, varnishes and stains are non-toxic and prolong the life of wood with their protective qualities. (see building materials)
• Environmental Clean-up
  Hemp has proven successful as a phytoremediator, a plant or tree capable of removing heavy metal toxins from the earth. In the late 90′s, hemp was tested on the Chernobyl nuclear site, showing an immediate positive effect on the air and dirt in the first harvest. As a rotation crop, hemp supercharges nutrients into the soil, preparing it for vegetables, herbs and fruits to be grown at a later date. Hemp needs no pesticides, as it has natural pest control built into its genetic makeup. These qualities make hemp extremely beneficial to the environment.

Hemp history week is about Awareness
We all need to bring more awareness to the community, Hemp History Week was started three years ago with this principle in mind. Hemp History Week events include retail promotions, a “day of action”, and literally hundreds of individually organized events across the country including a nationwide restaurant campaign promoting hemp in food. Highlights from last year included an increase in events nationwide with hemp samplings in over 450 Retail locations. 2012 is expected to exceed all expectations.

Hemp History Week makes it easy to get involved. With a searchable event database one can easily find an event to attend or a volunteer opportunity anywhere in the United States. Consider bringing a friend who is unaware of the numerous uses of the hemp plant, so they may benefit from hemp products, too! Together we can restore hemp to American Farmlands.
In these hard economic times, Hemp is part of the solution! Hemp can create jobs, sustain the environment and make clean non-toxic products that Americans can be proud to export.

Check back here often for important information and links!