Ecocomposite: Hemp Fibers
By Val Czapelski Okerstrom, Research Assistant
David A. Bainbridge
Associate Professor
United States International College of Business
Alliant International University
San Diego, CA 92131
Hemp fiber has been probably been used by humans for more than 20,000
years. The oldest example of human industry is a piece of hemp fabric
dating to about 8,000 B.C. Hemp clothing and accessories have become
trendy in the U.S., with a market value of hemp products estimated above
$23 million in 1996.
A common misconception is that hemp and marijuana are synonymous, but
industrial hemp and marijuana are differentiated by THC content. Delta-9
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive ingredient found in
Cannabis sativa L., the botanical species that contains the industrial
hemp fiber, hemp oil and marijuana varieties. Industrial hemp has a THC
content of 0.05% to 1% while THC in marijuana ranges from 3% to 20%. Thus,
the THC levels in industrial hemp are far too low to produce any
psychoactive effect. In fact, approximately 10- 12 industrial hemp
cigarettes would be have to be smoked rapidly to achieve any effect. The
large amount of smoke, high vapor temperature, and gas would make it
nearly impossible for a person to manage this without becoming very ill.
The misconception of the use of industrial hemp as a drug has resulted in
the United States enacting the only remaining laws in the world that
prohibit its cultivation.
Hemp fiber played an important role in early America. Both Presidents
Washington and Jefferson grew hemp on their farms, the Declaration of
Independence was drafted on hemp paper, and, hemp was a was used in sails
and ropes for ships. Marijuana and hemp were gradually demonized after the
Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 placed an extremely high tax on the product.
This publicity and notoriety made farming industrial hemp increasingly
difficult. In 1949 more than 2 million tons of hemp fiber were produced in
the U.S., but by the late 1950's hemp was no longer grown commercially.
Hemp production is being reintroduced in Canada, but most imports are from
eastern Europe.
Hemp is grown for its fiber, seed, and oil. Each of these product have
many uses as well as health and environmental benefits. The primary hemp
fibers are found around the hollow woody core of the hemp stalk. Hemp
fiber is one of the strongest natural fibers. The core fiber from the
hollow woody stalk is twice as absorbent as wood shavings. Also referred
to as "hurds," it can be blended with lime to create a strong
but lightweight concrete or plaster.
Hemp can produce 3-8 dry tons of fiber per acre which is four times what
an average forest can yield. Hemp grows very densely which does not allow
room for weeds and no herbicides are needed for farming industrial hemp.
Hemp is also naturally resistant to most pests which reduces or eliminates
the need for pesticides. The fibers are naturally bright so little or no
bleach is required. For these reasons, hemp is an environmentally friendly
crop.
The hemp seed also has many health benefits. The oil is the richest known
source of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. Gamma linoleic acid (GLA),
as well as other essential amino acids, are found in hemp oil. GLA is a
very rare nutrient found in mother's milk. Hemp seed is used as birdseed,
cattle feed, and human food. More common in Asia and Eastern Europe, hemp
seed can be used in granola bars and breakfast cereal for humans, or as
another vegetable cooking oil. Hemp oil once was used as a quick drying
ingredient in paints and varnish. The high cost of petroleum products may
encourage a return to hemp oil.
Hemp oil is also a possible fuel source. It can run in diesel engines and
be turned into a high octane gasoline. Emissions lack sulfur products in
such things as cellophane and plumbing pipe.
Further Information:
Books and Reports
Berry, J. 1996. International Directory of Hemp Products and
Suppliers.
The Message Company.
Bosca, I. and Karus, M. 1998. The Cultivation of Hemp: Botany,
Varieties,
Cultivation, and Harvesting. Hemptech.
Conrad, C. and Richard, R. (Eds.). 1994. Hemp: Lifeline to the Future:
The
Unexpected Answer for our Environmental and
Economic Recovery. Creative
Xpressions.
Herer, J.and Cabarga, L. 1998. The Emperor Wears no Clothes: Hemp and
the
Marijuana Conspiracy. Quick American Publishing
Company.
Hopkins, J. 1998. A History of the Hemp Industry in Kentucky .
University Press
of Kentucky.
Kane, M. 1999. Hemp Pages: The Hemp Industry Source Book 1999-2000.
Hempworld.
Lawther, M. and Bonnie, R.J. 1988. Hemp in America. Alfred Van der
Marck
Editions.
Marcus, D. 1996. Commercial Hemp Cultivation in Canada: An Economic
Justification. Independent Study, Masters of
Business Administration,
University of Western Ontario.
McPartland, M. and Watson, D.P. 2000. Hemp Diseases and Pests:
Management
with an Emphasis on Biological Control. CAB
International.
Mikuriya, T. 1994. Excerpts from the Indian Hemp Commission. Last Gasp
Eco-funnies, Inc.
Osburn, L. and Osburn, J. 2000. Economy and Ecology with Hemp. Access
Unlimited.
Ranalli, P. 1998. Advances in Hemp Research. Haworth Press, Inc.
Roulac, J.W. 1997. Hemp Horizons: The Comeback of America's Most
Promising
Plant. Chelsea Green Publishing.
Schreiber, G. and Hounam, A. 1999. The Hemp Handbook. Satin
Publications.
Robinson, R. 1997. The Hemp Manifesto: 101 Ways That Hemp Can Save Our
World. Inner Traditions International.
Robinson, R. and Nelson, R.A. 1995. The Great Book of Hemp: The
Complete
Guide to the Environmental, Commercial, and
Medicinal Uses of the World's
Extraordinary Plant. Inner Traditions
International.
Magazines
Journal of the International Hemp Association.
http://mojo.calyx.net/~olsen/HEMP/IHA/iha.html.
Hempworld. http://www.hempworld.com.
Hemp Times
Internet Sites
Oregon Natural Resources Council. 2000. Feasibility of Industrial Hemp
Production
in the United States Pacific Northwest. 38 p.
http://eesc.orst.edu/AgComWebFile/EdMat/SB68l/text.html.
(excellent
references)
Halbrendt, C.C., Q. Wang and M.C. Mole. 1997. Alternative agricultural
strategies
in Vermont: the case of industrial hemp.
University of Vermont. 9 p.
http://www.uvm.edu/~Ermelamed/UVM_Hemp_Report_1997.html.
Miller, R.L. 1991. Hemp as a crop for Missouri Farmers. Report to the
Agricultural
Task Force of the Missouri House of
Representatives. 48 p.
http://www.naihc.org.
(Navigate this site for a variety of reports, articles, and facts)
Agricultural Research Service and Economic Research Service. 1995.
Industrial
hemp and other alternative crops for small-scale
tobacco producers. U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
http://www.welcomehome.org/cohip/PAGES/IND_HEMP/USDA95.HTM.
http://www.ecolution.com/usdawht.html
http://www.fiberfutures.org/Links2.html
http://www.hemptech.com/frameset/hpubs.html
(excellent site for a list of publications)
http://www.thehia.org/index.html
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