Hemp is a unique crop that has so many uses; it is simply irresponsible to prolong its inability to be grown everywhere in the U.S. Growing hemp can make a huge difference in our CO2 emissions and pesticide and herbicide use. Hemp is naturally pest resistant and has dense cover that creates enough shade to prevent weed growth. The environment will benefit because Hemp can be used to create clothing that normally is made from synthetic fibers or inorganic cotton, which introduce gallons of toxic sludge to our water and land on an increasing daily basis. Hemp is a better source of housing insulation that can cut the amount of heating and cooling a house needs, this reduces the energy use and therefore the CO2 emissions from producing that energy. Hemp is a super food, a great source of protein and fatty acids, it can be used as a meat substitute which reduces the number of animals that must live horrible lives in tiny pens as well as reducing CO2 emissions from the up keeping and processing of these animals. Why don’t we just use hemp?!?!
The issue is, Hemp was outlawed by the controlled substances act of 1970 even though it only contains less than 0.05% of THC and cannot be used as a recreational drug. This is unbelievable when our founding fathers George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson all grew Hemp and the declaration of independence is written on hemp paper. A further outrage is that, if we were to grow Hemp here in the U.S. it would help the economy by creating hundreds of jobs and help with the economy because it has a $171 million dollar food and supplement market. The conclusion is, let’s just legalize Hemp already.
