The unique versatility of the Cannabis plant 3,07.2008
Perhaps the most
interesting fact about industrial hemp, especially when compared to
trees or to other fibre crops, is its amazing versatility.
Cannabis as a food source.Cannabis can provide a cheap, renewable and
abundant food source for the planet. Hemp seeds are one of the most
nutritious grains on Earth, rich in high quality protein, very low in
saturated fats and containing all of the essential fatty acids required
by human beings.
Cannabis grows almost anywhere and its cultivation
does not require farmers in developing countries to purchase pesticides,
herbicides and artificial fertilisers from agricultural corporations.
Cannabis as a medicine.The medicinal value of cannabis is widely accepted
by medical professionals all over the world. It is interesting to note
that opposition to the therapeutic benefits of cannabis comes almost
exclusively from law-making groups rather than those with expertise in
medicine or pharmacology.
The best-known medical applications of cannabis are
in treating pain, asthma, glaucoma, muscle spasm and epilepsy. Cannabis
is also extremely useful in combating the nausea, loss of appetite and
general discomfort associated with the synthetic drugs used in
chemotherapy and HIV treatment.
The various cannabinoids produced by cannabis have
numerous other medical applications and more are discovered every year
as legal obstacles to cannabis research are slowly overcome.
Cannabis textiles.Industrial hemp remains one of the best sources for
long fibres and textiles of all kinds. Hemp cloth can be every bit as
soft and versatile as cotton and is stronger, more durable and more
water absorbent.
The same is true of hemp textiles versus synthetics
such as nylon and its derivatives. Hemp textiles are both superior in
quality and less ecologically damaging to produce.
Furthermore, Hemp cultivation does not degrade the
land upon which it is practiced as cotton cultivation does. Hemp
cultivation, properly practiced, maintains or improves the quality of
the land. Industrial cotton production requires enormous amounts of
chemicals to grow and process the crop.
Cannabis paper.Hemp pulp is by far the most efficient, rational
choice for paper production. A hectare of fibre hemp can yield over four
times the pulp produced by traditional timber-pulp trees. Hemp can also
compete with any of the faster growing trees (such as eucalypts) that
are currently being considered as a source for pulp.
Processing hemp pulp requires only a fraction of
the chemicals necessary to process wood fibre into paper. Where they are
required, the chemicals used in hemp papermaking are far less pollutive
than those used to make paper from trees
On its own, pulp from hurds may be turned into
high-quality paper. With the addition of long hemp fibres, the highest
quality of paper is produced. This paper is still used for banknotes,
official documents and in other situations where paper from tree pulp is
simply not strong or durable enough.
A hectare of industrial hemp can easily compete
with a hectare of trees for pulp production. In addition, that same
hectare can simultaneously produce a large amount of high quality long
fibres with numerous industrial applications.
Hemp as a bio fuel.Hemp is a viable, renewable alternative to
petrochemical and other fossil resources. It can supply oils for fuel or
lubrication, plastics, paints and varnishes. It is also the most
productive and efficient known source of biomass.
The term ‘biomass’ is used to describe all
biologically produced matter. Burning biomass to produce energy or
processing it into ‘bio-fuels’ such as methane and methanol is seen by
many as the best alternative for future fuel sources. Turning biomass
into various forms of energy is far cleaner than any fossil equivalent
and may be practiced anywhere that biological matter is produced. Hemp,
with its speed of growth and ability to flourish almost anywhere is
perhaps the only plant that can fulfill the vision of a world run on
bio-energy.
All the characteristics mentioned above make the
cannabis plant unique in its versatility, productivity and
eco-friendliness. All byproducts have useful applications; all stages of
growing and processing have either a low impact or a decidedly
beneficial effect upon the environment.
Why is it that our society is not using this
environmentally friendly, versatile and abundant resource? Is it really
because it might be a health risk or is it because its definitely a risk
to big industry?
Subject: The unique versatility of the Cannabis plant 
Sat Mar 27, 2010 9:47 am
