There are some things that fascinate me about this world. Some people really believe that taking the route to study fashion, fabrics, fiber etc. is a waste of time. Really? I believe it takes a different kind of mind and thinker to survive the world of fashion. You can not be dumb. AT ALL. There are so many layers to unfold. So many galaxies to visit. Like Really, you have to leave reality and go somewhere else to comprehend or understand some of the things needed to be learned. People as a whole are DUMB. We are lazy and want the easy way out all the time. We do not like change because change is cheaper and does not make us money. It will make us look stupid if we find a better way to do something that has been done a certain way for so long. Where am I getting at? I have so many more hate posts to write about how sad we are. But for tonight I'll start with one topic: HEMP.
What is it?
It comes from a plant called Cannabis genus. It is a soft and durable fiber. (VERY SIMILAR TO COTTON- IN USES).
Hemp is a staple fiber that has been grown for 12,000 years for textiles and paper and food. IT HAS BEEN PROHIBITED IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE THE 1950'S.
Presidents like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson grew hemp. The Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper.
Interesting Facts:
Henry Ford has experimented with hemp to build car bodies because its a farm product.
BMW experiences with hemp materials in automobiles to make cars more recyclable.
Kimberly Clark (Fortune 500) has a mill in France which produces hemp paper which is preferred by bibles because it lasts VERY LONG and does not yellow.
Construction products such as medium density fiber board, oriented strand board, and even beams, studs and posts could be made out of hemp. Hemp has long fibers and would make the products stronger and/or lighter than those made from wood.
Hemp seed oil has been coined "Nature's Perfect Food for Humanity". The oil is programmed to maintain and improve good health. It is ideal for salad dressings, mayonnaise, dips etc. It contains all the essential fatty acids necessary for human life. It can improve damaged immune systems.
HAVE YOU READ ANYTHING BAD ABOUT IT YET?....
ILL CONTINUE....
Here are the Scientific Facts:
Industrial hemp and marijuana are both classified by taxonomists as cannabis sativa, which is a species with hundreds of varieties. Industrial hemp is bred to maximize fiber, seed and/or oil, while marijuana varieties seek to maximize THC the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.
Marijuana and Hemp are said to look somewhat alike to an UNTRAINED EYE, an EASILY TRAINED eye can distinguish the difference.
Industrial Hemp has a THC content of .05% and 1%. Marijuana has a THC content of 3%-20%. To get the same dose it would require someone to smoke 10-12 hemp cigarettes over an extremely short period of time. This is almost impossible because of the large volume and high temperature of vapor.
******* IF hemp does pollinate nearby marijuana, genetically, ther result will always be lower THC marijuana, not higher THC hemp. If hemp is grown outdoors, marijuana will not be grown close by to avoid producing lower-grade marijuana. (Translation- Marijuana does not affect Hemp. HEMP affects Marijuana ).
Hemp fibers are longer, stronger, more absorbent, and more mildew resistant than cotton.
Fabrics that are made of at least one half hemp block the sun's UV rays more effectively than other fabrics.
Hemp was once named "New Billion Dollar Crop".
Here are the Legal Facts:
IF you are American, Be ashamed. I AM.
The US "Drug enforcement agency classifies all C.sativa varieties as "marijuana". We can not grow it Hemp legally without a field secured by fence, razor wire, dogs, guards, and lights making it cost prohibitive.
Hemp growers would not be allowed to hide marijuana in their fields. Marijuana is grown widely spaced to maximize leaves. Hemp is grown in tightly spaced rows to maximize stalk and is usually harvested BEFORE it goes to seed.
Hemp can be recycled several times more than wood based paper.
Hemp can be pulped using less chemicals than with wood.
Hemp can grow well in a variety of climates and soil types. It is naturally resistant to most pests, so need for pesticides. It grows tightly spaced, out-competing any weeds, so herbicides are not necessary.
Hemp can displace cotton which is usually grown with massive amounts of chemicals harmful to people and the environment. 50% of all the world's pesticides are sprayed on cotton.
Hemp can displace wood fiber and save forests for watershed, it even reduces global warming.
Hemp can yield 3-8 dry tons of fiber per acre. This is four times what an average forest can yield.
Are you lost? Dear God I hope not.
Point of it all?.
This is the Superman of all fibers that can be used instead of cotton. Sit and Think about how much of everything has cotton in it. Hemp is way better, way cheaper, and way more eco-friendly. = )
BUT- because some IDIOT in AMERICA said it "resembles" marijuana we will not legalize it here?
How selfish and how convenient that COTTON THE BRAND has all of us by the hairs because were buying this BS. COTTON is smart. Americans are the idiots. Cotton found their competition and found a way to get rid of it because they knew you would fall for it. This makes me upset because this is not the only fiber that is kept secret. And yes it takes someone who studies fibers and fabrics to understand all this.
You be the judge.
Marijuana:
Hemp:
Would you be the idiot who smoked Hemp?
http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp
http://www.regenerativenutrition.com/content.asp?id=64