Today, in the modern world, 32 countries allow their farmers to grow, process and sell hemp just like corn, wheat or soybeans. But after more than 70 years of constant government propaganda, America remains the only country in the world that still prohibits hemp production. How can America, the country founded on the ideal of personal freedoms, the "land of the free" and "home of the brave" find itself banning a natural plant in the name of a "drug war"?
This section of VoiceYourself is dedicated to all those who are fighting to help keep the American dream alive. Please do your part by educating yourself with the real facts about hemp. You can make a difference by sharing the information here with your family, friends and most importantly with your elected officials. Together we can help change the politics of hemp in America. If you have any stories you want to let us know about, please contact us at: Bigissues@voiceyourself.com
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Flax and hemp to feature in new era bio-composites
At the recent JEC Composites exhibition at Porte de Versailles, Paris, CELC Masters of Linen showcased the use of flax and hemp fibres in the future world of renewable composites. According to CELC, the environmentally sustainable properties of these two European-grown fibres are proving increasingly attractive to manufacturers seeking to incorporate sustainable solutions into their products.
Innovation in Textiles | Manchester, UK , April 29, 2009
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Left Out of Hemp's Renaissance, U.S. Farmers Continue Legal...
N.D. Ag Dept. vs DEA.
Growing Hemp Food and Body Care Sales is Good News for Canadian Hemp Seed and Oil Producers - Strong sales of popular hemp items like non-dairy milk, shelled hemp seed, soaps and lotions have occurred against the backdrop of state-licensed hemp farmers in North Dakota fighting a high stakes legal battle against the DEA to grow hemp for U.S. manufacturers. The new sales data validate U.S. farmers' position that they are being shut out of the lucrative hemp market that Canadian farmers have cashed in on for over a decade now.
USNewswire | Washington, D.C. , April 29, 2009
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New Bill Allowing Industrial Hemp Farming Expected to Be...
Coming to American soil soon.
For the third time since the federal government outlawed hemp farming in the United States over 50 years ago, a federal bill will be introduced that will remove restrictions on the cultivation of non-psychoactive industrial hemp. The chief sponsors, Representatives Barney Frank (D-MA) and Ron Paul (R-TX) have circulated a dear colleague letter seeking support for the Industrial Hemp Farming Act. The bill will be identical to HR 1009 which was introduced in the 110th Congress. "With so much discussion lately in the media about drug policy, it is surprising the tragedy of American hemp farming hasn't come up as a 'no-brainer' for reform," says Vote Hemp President, Eric Steenstra.
Votehemp.com - USNewswire | Washington, D.C. , April 01, 2009
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Heartland hemp farming needs Iowa lawmakers' help
Collecting hemp seed varities.
A bipartisan group of Minnesota lawmakers is putting forth legislation to legalize the growth of cannabis, or hemp. The Industrial Hemp Development Act would provide licenses to qualified farmers for the cultivation of hemp, after passing background checks, of course. Iowa lawmakers must pay close attention to the progress of Minnesota's hemp act; its success or failure may signal how a similar act would fair here. Regardless of the reaction of our neighbors to the north, hemp production will dramatically change the face of agriculture in America.
Editorial Board - The Daily Iowan | Iowa City, Iowa , March 12, 2009
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Gross margins of £550/ha to boost UK hemp production
English countryside hemp farming.
Gross margins of around £550 from hemp will, it is hoped, help encourage production to some 3,240 hectares (8,000 acres) this year. Last year, Hemcore's new £3.6 million industrial processing facility near Halesworth, Suffolk, handled crop from just under 1,500ha (3,700 acres) and an average crop should produce about 7.5 tonnes/ha. The target after four years is an annual throughput of 50,000 tonnes. "We cannot satisfy the market at the present time," said managing director Mike Duckett. New growers are being sought, mainly within East Anglia, but also Kent, East Midlands and Berkshire/Wiltshire/Sussex.
Farmers Guardian - Preston, England, UK , February 20, 2009
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Hokkaido city grows hemp to promote economic development
Japanese plant hemp field.
Despite the bad impression many have of hemp due to a perceived rise in marijuana use, Hidetaro Funayama believes that growing the plant for its many industrial uses could create a buzz for the city of Kitami on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk in northeastern Hokkaido. The plant is grown on a plot of land on a hill slightly out of the center of the city with a population of some 126,000. A 2.7-meter-tall fence covers it with a grating. Funayama, 58, represents a group dealing with a city development project aimed at growing hemp without a narcotic component for production of construction materials and Japanese "washi" paper.
By Akiko Koga - Japan Today | Kitami , February 17, 2009
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New hemp plant first for Eastern Ontario
Hemp fiber for comerical uses.
Sometime over the next two years, Stonehedge Inc., a plant research and development company based in Stirling, is slated to build North America’s first hemp bio-refinery in eastern Ontario, a $20-million business venture not without its obstacles. “We haven’t received government funding yet, but we do have an application with the federal government for one major envelope of funds. All they’re really concerned about is if we have any private sector money invested yet,” says John Baker, founder and chairman of Stonehedge Bio Resources Inc. “Before the government kicks in and starts participating, they want to see somebody that put in real cash. So if they’re not at the table as we go forward, that won’t be a good sign.”
By Cameron Ginn - The Pioneer | Canada , February 13, 2009
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This President’s Day remember that George Washington raised...
Author/Historian Harvye Wasserman.
Since 1937 the US has suffered through a period of hemp persecution that all the Founders---from Washington to Franklin, from Adams to Madison---would have deemed absolutely insane. In their honor, in renewed protest against this absurd Prohibition, PASSIONS OF THE PATRIOTS, by “Thomas Paine,” is now being published. As we approach President’s Day, this “based on true history” novel shows Washington and his cohorts in their natural state, growing and smoking what we now call “pot” in mass quantities.
By Harvey Wasserman - The Free Press , January 29, 2009
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Hemp: Trying the good, but odd, fatty acid food
Loving hemp's healthy benefits.
Hemp and marijuana are not the same thing. Hemp, which is legal to grow, contains only a fraction of the psychoactive compound that, in marijuana, makes you high. For a while now, I've been curious about hemp because of its fabled health benefits. Hemp is rich in essential fatty acids (the good kind), omega-6 and omega-3. When these two essential fatty acids are consumed in roughly equal amounts, they are a powerful anti-inflammatory, according to much scientific research. You'd have to carefully combine omega-3 (from flax, fish, walnuts) and omega-6 (cooking oils such as soy, corn, peanut and sunflower) to get the same health benefits.
By Sylvia Carter - Newsday - Long Island, NY , January 28, 2009
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Hemp refiner expected to provide new income for 200 farmers
Hemp fiber after decortication.
After nearly 10 years of research and development in industrial hemp, Stonehedge Bio- Resources Inc. of Sterling is ready to lead the way in commercializing hemp in North America. Building on a business case developed through the Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Innovation Network, Stonehedge is now set to establish a bioprocessing facility in Eastern Ontario to serve North American markets. Some of the products and co-products are aimed at the automotive, energy, agriculture, construction material, and pulp and paper markets. This fibre separation facility is expected to provide new farm income for about 200 farmers, putting more than 12,000 acres into cultivation, said John Baker, president and founder of Stonehedge.
By Joyce Cassin - Northumberland Today | Northumberland, Ontario , January 28, 2009
