The plant has usefulness far beyond it's psycho-active (dulling
) effect.
Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were farmers of hemp.
"Make the most of the
Indian hemp seed, and
sow it
everywhere!"
--
George Washington
Note to the gardener at Mount Vernon, 1794
"The Writings of George Washington"
Volume 33, page 270 (Library of Congress)
It is hard to believe a plant with so much versatility and economic promise would be banned. I've read that hemp paper is far superior to paper that has been made from trees.
Interesting Facts:
Almost any product that can be made from wood, cotton, or petroleum (INCLUDING PLASTICS) can be made from hemp. There are more than 25,000 known uses for hemp.
Rag paper containing hemp fiber is the highest quality and longest lasting paper ever made. It can be torn when wet, but returns to its full strength when dry. Barring extreme conditions, rag paper remains stable for centuries.
Hemp particle board may be up to 2 times stronger than wood particle board and holds nails better.
From 70 to 90% of all rope, twine, and cordage was made from hemp until 1937.
Hemp plastic is biodegradable; synthetic plastic is not.
Hemp is softer, warmer, more water absorbent, has 3 times the tensile strength, and is many times more durable than cotton. Hemp production uses fewer chemicals than cotton.
A strong lustrous fiber; hemp withstands heat, mildew, insects, and is not damaged by light. Oil paintings on hemp and/or flax canvas have stayed in fine condition for centuries.
Quality paints and varnishes were made from hemp seed oil until 1937.
Henry Ford built a car with hemp
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfKPDHq4fTQ"]YouTube - 1941 HEMP CAR[/ame] I've seen cars all over OKC with hail damage. Imagine if cars had been made like this.
This Canadian Company is making electric cars with hemp.
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/08/23/cannabis-hemp-electric-car-kestrel-motive.html
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=872
Looks to me like Hemp would ward off a lot of wars and create a lot of prosperity.