Hemp has been cultivated for centuries, with evidence of its use dating back to 8000 BC. C. in fabric, cords, and food. It was used in textiles, weapons, paper, and fashion in various parts of the world.
In the United States, hemp was a staple crop before colonization and continued to be cultivated during World War II. However, in 1937, the Marijuana Tax Act was passed, making it difficult for farmers to produce hemp and effectively banning it across the country. The Marijuana Tax Act was initiated by Harry Anslinger, the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. He popularized the name “marijuana” to link it to drug use and began publishing anti-cannabis messages to alienate the American people from hemp and opt for wood-based paper. This law was named by the Hemp Industries Association as the beginning of the ban on hemp. In recent years, there has been a push to legalize industrial hemp production in the United States.
Last week, Bruce Dietzen drove from Florida to Colorado in a fiery red convertible made of hemp. Two weeks ago, the North Carolina House of Representatives and Senate approved a bill that would legalize industrial hemp production in the state. The Farm Bill guarantees that any cannabinoid derived from hemp will be legal only if it is produced in accordance with federal regulations and state laws. Hemp is naturally resistant to harmful insects and weeds, eliminating the need for pesticides and improving soil quality. It can even thrive on land contaminated by heavy metals.
Hemp seeds are used as dietary flour, hemp milk, cooking oil and beer, as well as for dietary supplements. Studies have also shown that hemp seeds have important qualities in curing constipation. Hemp is legal in the United States with serious restrictions. Many advocates applaud Leader McConnell for his administration of these hemp provisions in the Farm Bill and his leadership in legislation in general. Research on hemp is still important as hemp producers are treated differently than other agricultural producers. So, stop saying what hemp is not, but what is it? Hemp is extremely versatile and may have been one of the first plants to be cultivated on a large scale.
