Hemp Is Economically And Environmentally Sustainable

As the world continues to reel from the economic impact from the
widespread lockdown, people are trying to come to grips with what a “new
normal” economy could look like. So far, massive money printing and
centralized solutions are proving to be the flimsiest of temporary
band-aids for what is looking to be a very long-term upheaval.

It’s not only job losses and stunted business growth across nearly
every sector, we are also learning about threats to the entire food and
agricultural supply chain. It’s becoming clearer by the day that any
long-lasting solution must encompass a broad range of considerations to
offer any type of sustainable economic future.

Enter hemp — the oft-forgotten crop that was foundational to America’s early success.

While many people have been introduced to hemp through the growing popularity of natural CBD products such as Cibdol, hemp’s multitude of beneficial uses was recognized as early as 10,000 years ago
in China and Mesopotamia! But it wasn’t until the 1600s that hemp found
its way to North America and eventually became a staple crop in the
United States during the 1700s. It’s now known that the Declaration of
Independence was written on hemp paper, and at various times it was legally required for farmers to grow hemp and pay taxes with it. How times have changed.

Strangely, the federal government began to take a stand against hemp
in 1937 when they made the tenuous connection to “marihuana” and its
been an uphill battle ever since. However, a growing number of states
have rebelled through nullification, as the Tenth Amendment Center has extensively reported, with Colorado perhaps being the best example.

Given the magnitude of what we are facing economically and
environmentally, it would be wise to use some of this momentum that hemp
was experiencing prior to the corona-crisis and once again look to its
benefits for a chance at both national and global revival.

Save the bees and save our food supply

For decades, our key pollinators have been under assault from a
variety of toxins and stressors, with some experts warning of their
near-total collapse and the subsequent human disaster that could unfold
in the form of crop failures and food shortages.
Fortunately, studies have shown that bees are heavily attracted to
hemp. As the team of researchers at Colorado State University wrote, “Industrial hemp can play an important role in providing sustained nutritional options for bees during the cropping season.”

Agriculture and the economy

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has long been championing the economic
benefits that could manifest by farming hemp. As we are seeing a
cataclysm of unemployment from the corona-crisis, what better way to
encourage the type of employment that will result in many local and
large-scale efforts at regenerating economies?

As a self-sufficient homesteader himself,
Massie is well positioned to give his expert opinion not only on the
mechanics of farming, but on the legislation that can help free up hemp
farming and industry for the masses. Remember, it’s not only the
farming, but the entire economic apparatus of accountants, lawyers,
marketers, etc. that are needed throughout any industry. The key
difference is that this industry gives back to communities as well as
the environment.

This quick interview with Massie chronicles his legislative hurdles
with the federal government, but why it is so important to ultimately
win this battle. You’ll also hear the ridiculous arguments made by the
forces in opposition to natural hemp production.

Housing and Manufacturing

Concrete is one of the most environmentally disastrous forms of
construction on the planet. The widespread use of cement has actually
created a global shortage of sand, in addition to being linked as a
contributing factor to climate change. Regardless of one’s position on
that hot-button topic, hemp is simply a more sustainable and
economically viable alternative … and many architects are beginning to
recognize this.

Hemp concrete – “hempcrete” – can be used in all areas of
construction, including insulation. It has been shown to inhibit mold
growth as it is naturally more breathable, making it ideal for use in
humid locations. There has been some debate about whether the widespread
use of hemp in construction will wind up being cheaper, but another
innovation might help hemp win the argument: 3D printing. One company
in Australia used 3D printing to build hemp panels which they say are “structurally sound, easy to produce, and provide superior thermal performance.”

Hemp also has been explored for use as a steel replacement; its
properties can result in material 10 times stronger than steel, with
greater flexibility. One aviation company even produced the world’s
first 100% hemp plane.
In addition to the greater strength, lower weight and overall lower
cost, there is the added benefit of reducing the many other toxic
materials that result from mining and appear throughout the interior and
exterior of aircraft.

Lastly, hemp batteries are even being pursued as studies have shown they might even be more powerful than graphene and lithium.

Petrochemical reduction

Replacing plastics has been a long-term goal across a variety of
industries as a new information constantly reveals the damaging effects
of petrochemical use and subsequent pollution of the planet. The idea of
a material that would be as functional as plastic, but also biodegrade
is a literal panacea. Fortunately, here too we are seeing an increasing
number of products meant to reduce this harmful waste through
“bioplastics.” Even the establishment magazine Forbes had to admit that industrial hemp could hold the answer to most of the world’s ills.

Clothing

Hemp has also been pursued as a cotton replacement
by clothing companies as large as Levi’s. The company cited benefits
like water reduction in the cultivation process by up to two-thirds as
being both economically and environmentally more sustainable. However,
the benefits are also transferred to consumers as properly produced
garments are lighter, more absorbent, stronger and even UV and mold
resistant.

Nutrition

Hemp seeds, in particular, are now recognized as one of the
healthiest food sources on the planet. During a time where we should be
doing everything in our power to boost our immune system, hemp offers
yet another solution. As Amanda Froelich writes,

Hemp seeds contain the globular proteins edestin and
albumin. This is important because enzymes, antibodies, hormones, and
fibrinogen are all made from globular proteins. Furthermore, edestin and
albumin make up the fluid in a portion of the blood plasma. As a
result, these proteins are essential to build a healthy immune system.

Other key health benefits include boosting energy, improving digestion and building muscle.

It’s well past time that we throw off any stigma surrounding hemp and
return to the pages of history where hemp was openly recognized as not
only beneficial to health, agriculture, the environment and economies –
but essential.

By Steven Maxwell

Top image: Pixabay

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