For most of human existence, hemp has provided food, fuel, clothing and shelter for people all over the world. During the 20th and 21st centuries, however, it has become, according to many governments (primarily under coercion by the US government), a threat so horrible that it should be wiped from the face of the earth.

We know of no species (other than some deadly microbes) that has been afforded the notability of an international effort to exterminate it globally.

While you browse this site consider the ramifications of a government's efforts to eradicate a key environmental species on every continent except Antarctica. Consider that there is NO EVIDENCE to support any of the government's allegations about the harmful effects of hemp that is not true of potatoes, strawberries, cotton swabs or blue jeans. Each of these (and many other common consumer items) creates more damage than hemp (or "marijuana").

While you consider that, consider also that the species in question is the single living organism that holds the greatest promise for renewable/sustainable food, fuel, clothing and shelter accessible to the widest possible range of people.

Hemp is the most versatile and adaptable crop plant on earth. It also provokes the most amazing politics. Why are politicians opposed to such a marvelous and valuable resource?

Hemphasis.net explores the politics while attempting to quickly and clearly parse the massive amount of information available on the various uses for hemp.

Hemp researchers might want to go directly to the site directory, which contains a convenient overview of all site content.

Every topic we discuss on this site is covered--often much more thoroughly--already on other websites, as well as in published literature. Hemphasis.net provides lots and lots of links to authoritative websites and literature. We recommend that you bookmark this site to aid in navigation back here when you've followed a link to another site.

Why industrial hemp?

Hemp seed ready for planting in 1999, Alberta, Canada

Food

Hemp is an excellent food source. It provides nearly complete nutrition. Hemp seed is a complete source of essential amino acids (EAAs). Hemp provides significantly more of all 8 EFAs than its closest competitors (meat, eggs, tofu), while providing the types and amounts of amino acids the body needs to make serum albumin and serum globulins, two other amino acids essential to life. Hemp protein contains all 20 known amino acids.

Hemp seed has over 30% protein. 65% of the proteins in hemp foods are in the form of globulin edistin (the word edistin comes from the Greek word “edestos,” which means edible). Edistin is considered by many to be the most easily digestible protein. The other 35% of the protein in hemp is Albumin, another of the most easily digestible proteins. Soy commonly has more protein than hemp, at 35%, but soy protein contains tripsid inhibitors that block proteins absorption, and oligosaccharides, which cause upset stomach and gas. Hemp protein is the most easily digested protein, and has all 10 EAAs, making it the best source for protein on the planet.

Hemp seed is also a complete source of essential fatty acids (EFAs), with optimal amounts and proportions of Omega-6, Omega-3, and GLA. Hemp seed (30-35% oil) is the highest in total EFAs, at 80-81% of total oil volume, of any food source.

EFAs, by definition, are essential and must be obtained through diet, because the body can’t produce them. EFAs help regulate brain function, the immune system, the endocrine system, aid in digestion, circulation, and practically regulate all systems in the human body. EFAs turn themselves into whatever the body needs to regulate itself chemically. Many American’s are deficient in EFA. A diet rich in hemp seed would greatly help humans to maintain health and happiness.

The fact is that hemp is the only food source with all 10 EAAs and all 4 EFAs.

Body Care

Because of hemp oil's high EFA content, especially GLA, helps skin cells to communicate to rebuild cell membranes, which keeps the skin from getting dry.

Alberta, Canada, hemp field two weeks after planting

Fiber

Hemp is among the longest, strongest, most elastic, and most durable fibers in nature. As far as natural fibers go, it yields some of the strongest and most durable fabric, cloth, canvas, cordage, and textiles. It is highly resistant to mildew, rotting, and is very anti-microbial.

Alberta, Canada, hemp field eight weeks after planting

Building Materials

Hemp can make most building materials, including caulking, cement, fiberboard, flooring, insulation, paneling, particleboard, plaster, plywood, stucco, mortar, and biodegradable plastic.

Hemp can also be formed into cement-/concrete-like walls. This material is called hempcrete. Hempcrete is a building material that is formed by combining air-lime based binders with the chopped core of the hemp plant stem. It can be pored into a form almost identical to pouring concrete, or spray applied. Hempcrete homes are lightweight, fire-, water-, earthquake-, and rodent-resistant, have excellent thermal mass and insulation characteristics that allows the homes to breath, which saves money on heating and cooling costs, has high sound insulation, and good flexibility.

This building technique also sequesters a lot of carbon, reversing the damaging effects of greenhouse gases, providing one the best value materials for low impact, sustainable and commercially viable construction. The Roman aqueducts were most likely built this way, as were still active bridges in France dating to the sixth century. Homes such as these are being built in Europe today, and a new Chicago company called American Lime Technology is ready to use this technique here in the U.S.

Alberta, Canada, farmer inspects hemp crop, 1999

Cars

European plants are making auto panels from hemp based composites that are biodegradable, half the weight of, more durable, and safer than fiberglass counterparts. Most car companies are using 100% hemp car interior panels in all new models. Henry Ford made a hemp based car in the 1940’s that was more dent-resistant than steel. A sledgehammer blow could not even break the windows of these cars, which were made from hemp.

Fuel

Hemp seed oil can be used as fuel to drive cars, heat homes, and power industry. Hemp produces biomass, which can be converted into sulfur-free charcoal for electricity; plus ethanol, methanol and other sources of fuel. Burning biomass for energy, instead of fossil fuels, helps keep the carbon dioxide cycle in balance. Hemp can produces more biomass per acre than any plant practical for farming in the Midwest. One acre of hemp has the prospect of producing 10 tons of biomass in a growing season. Hemp energy could make the U.S. less dependent on foreign petroleum.

Alberta, Canada, hemp field at harvest time

Oil

Environment

Hemp farming requires no toxic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and no fertilizer if grown in a proper crop rotation. Hemp roots anchor and aerate soil, reduce erosion, soil loss, and runoff, and also pull metals, toxins, and radioactive material from the soil turning it into organic material. Hemp is the ultimate green crop. It produces food, fiber, pulp, and cellulose for thousands of industries without any toxic chemicals needed in any of the processing.

Alberta, Canada, hemp field in harvest, 1999

Paper

Hemp can be used to make paper more durable and more environmentally-friendly than paper made from wood. The switch to hemp-based paper could reduce deforestation considerably. Hemp paper doesn't require toxic bleaching chemicals and lasts hundreds of years longer than paper made from trees. An acre of hemp will produce at least as much paper as an acre of trees, with far less adverse effects to the environment.

Feed & Animal Bedding

Hemp meal provides all the essential protein that livestock requires, yet doesn’t require any antibiotics to digest. Hemp seed is the preferred seed among songbirds. Birds will pick through other seeds to get at hemp seeds. Hemp is also an excellent animal bedding for horses and gerbils.

Alberta, Canada, hemp field in bloom, 1999

Plastics

Hemp is among the top cellulose producers of all farmable plants. Hemp hurds and fiber have over 60% cellulose, the building blocks of plastics. Biodegradable hemp plastics could reduce landfill waste and display unique strength characteristics.

Alberta, Canada, hemp field in harvest, 1999

The Economy

Hemp has a $500 billion estimated worldwide market, which, when tapped into by farmers would help reduce the corporate takeover of family farms. Hemp farming could create thousands of new jobs in the transportation, processing, and manufacturing facilities, and would generate millions of dollars for hard-working Americans. Canadian hemp is being trucked past barely-surviving US family farms.

Products made from Alberta, Canada, hemp crop, 1999

And, primarily and finally...

There is no good reason not to allow farmers, manufacturers and the rest of us to enjoy the benefits of domestically-produced hemp. The only reasons given for keeping hemp production illegal in the United States are lies. If the government will lie about a beneficial plant, what will it not lie about?

Alberta, Canada, hemp field kiss, 1999