Before I begin I will recommend “American Hemp” by Jen Hobbs. This is a hemp manifesto that covers every single base complete with research notes.
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Hemp will mend this broken world if given the chance. In this world, and in this life that is all anything needs: A chance, and someone that believes in it enough to give it that chance. Let me make a believer out of you. First I will educate you some on hemp, and then I will get into what I want to happen.
Hemp can mend from every angle imaginable. I will start from the ground up:
Hemp revitalizes the soil.
Radioactivity Removal
Through the process of phytoremediation hemp removes radioactivity from the soil. Its deep roots penetrate a foot into the ground absorbing radioactive containments such as uranium, thorium, radium, cesium, strontium, and lead from the soil. The radioactive elements are contained in shoots and leaves, but mostly contained in the seeds which are easily disposed of. The way this works is through ion exchange. The hemps roots exchange ions with radioactive containments. Hemps organic compounds bind to the radioactive compounds. The compounds adhere to the root surfaces. Hemp was used in the cleanup for Chernobyl and Fukushima.
Soil Improvement
Soil erosion prevention:
Hemps have deep roots (12 inches) that hold soil in place. It penetrates compacted soil increasing aeration and water infiltration. Hemp residue enriches the soil with organic matter increasing fertility.
Nutrient Uptake and Retention:
Hemp absorbs nutrients from deep within the soil, and brings them to the surface. Hemp residues retain nutrients reducing leaching and runoff.
Soil Biome and Support:
Hemp supports beneficial microbes enhancing soil biodiversity. The hemp roots can partner with fungi to break down pollutants. Hemp breaks down pesticides and other organic pollutants.
Climate Benefits
Hemp produces about 6.5 times the oxygen as trees. The growth rate is about 12 inches a week increases oxygen output as well. It absorbs pollutants from the air. Carbon dioxide is sequestered in the ground mitigating the damage done to air quality.
These are all ways that hemp revitalizes the soil.
Now what do we do with the hemp once it is grown? It has the ability to eradicate all of the monolithically disastrous damages done to our planet. I will start with industrial usage.
*Hemp plastic replaces traditional plastic
The problems people are starting to notice with microplastics that others have been trying to tell people for years is solved with hemp plastic, because it doesn’t create microplastics.
It biodegrades in about 80 days on a lower estimate up to 180 or so days on a higher end scale. When it biodegrades it doesn’t release toxic pollutants into the air.
Imagine hemp bioplastic such as the one Henry Ford used in automotives. Stronger, safer, and longer lasting.
I propose we replace all traditional plastic with hemp plastic. Everything from trash bags, cutlery, cups, other containers, and everything else made of traditional plastic. Replace it all with hemp plastic, and watch waste be dramatically reduced. Imagine how much cleaner the oceans will be with less plastic polluting it. Imagine unequivocally solving the microplastic problem. Hemp plastic does that.
Imagine shipping companies like Amazon who use profound amounts of plastic wrap to wrap their pallets with using hemp plastic. They would need less wrap since it is stronger, and their impact on the environment due to space it takes up in landfills is dramatically reduced due to the fast biodegradation. I saw first hand the amount of plastic waste Amazon produces. Them and other companies should switch to hemp plastic.
Hemp paper replaces traditional paper
Hemp paper and cardboard requires less water to grow, eliminates deforestation, and has a lower carbon footprint. It also biodegrades faster than wood pulp paper or cardboard.
Hemp paper is 3-4 times stronger than wood pulp paper, lasts longer due to the resistance to yellowing and cracking, doesn’t require acid, and is resistant to UV.
Cardboard boxes are stronger. They are moisture resistant which protects contents from humidity.
Hemp Wood:
Hemp wood for usage in building materials is rot resistant, termite resistant as hemp is not appealing to termites, has natural flame retardancy, and has a higher density. Hemp wood is also resistant to mold and mildew.
Hemp wood is stronger and lighter. It is resistant to warping and shrinking. It provides natural insulation. Hemp wood lasts longer which makes the buildings last longer.
There is not a single good reason for anyone to be using wood pulp products from paper, cardboard, and wood. It does not make a shred of sense. Imagine companies like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS using hemp cardboard boxes. They would be cheaper, stronger, last longer, protect the contents of the package, and biodegrade faster eliminating tons of waste. I have seen firsthand the amount of boxes that go through a hub at any given day. I used to work at FedEx, UPS, and Amazon.
Imagine how much stronger books would be, and how much longer they would last. The possibilities are endless. Replace all wood pulp paper and paper products such as cardboard boxes with hemp.
Imagine buildings constructed from hemp wood, the lighter weight means less strain on transportation which has its own benefits. The buildings would last longer and be safer.
Hemp Concrete Replacing Traditional Concrete
Compared to traditional concrete the hemp concrete has a 2-4 time higher insulation than traditional concrete. It absorbs and releases heat regulating building temperature. It is flexible which reduces cracks. It is resistant to weather conditions, pests, and mold. Hempcrete is lighter which reduces structural load and foundation requirements
Replace all traditional concrete with hemp concrete.
*Hemp Asphalt Replacing Traditional Asphalt *
Compared to traditional asphalt hemp infused asphalt lasts 2-3 times longer. It reduces cracking and deformation. It also reduces water penetration and damages. Imagine the benefit of hemp asphalt when a natural disaster like earthquakes or water based disasters like flooding hits.
Replace all traditional asphalt with hemp asphalt.
Hemp Steel Replacing Traditional Steel
Hemp steel is stronger and lighter. It resists deformation and cracking. It absorbs impact without breaking. It resists corrosion, and lasts longer.
Henry Ford made a vehicle using hemp steel. Look into that. It makes vehicles lighter which is better for fuel consumption, resistant to denting and scratching, and longer lasting.
Replace all steel with hemp steel.
Now that you have a sense of what hemp is capable of on the industrial scale let’s go into how it can benefit from a food perspective. Afterwards we go into where does all this hemp come from, and why should people grow it.
Hemp For Food
Hemp has a complete amino acid profile, and is pound for pound the same protein as meat with a high protein efficiency ratio. It is also easily digestible. It is rich in all the essential omegas and fatty acids. It has high fiber content. Hemp is rich in vitamins and minerals as well as high antioxidant content.
Hemp grows so fast it would be ideal to feed the hungry. Considering it is organic and has no need for pesticides it would be incredibly healthy. Hemp is incredibly healthy for the brain and heart. I have experienced first hand the good it can do. If hemp can cleanse radioactivity from the soil imagine what it can do for the body.
Hemp used for cbd has various benefits such as pain relief, anti-anxiety, anti-stress, anti inflammatory, seizure control. CBD can regenerate and repair the brain. Traumatic brain injury, stroke, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, autism, adhd, and other such conditions. One can have cbd without any thc at all making it non-psychotropic. This is done with broad spectrum cbd or cbd isolate.
Hemp should be used to feed livestock in place of feed corn and other atrocities. If I had my way corn would be banned entirely considering Monsanto ruined it all. If we incentivize farmers to feed their livestock mainly hemp it makes the animals healthier which makes their meat and dairy production healthier and better tasting. This is a way to get a foot in the door to end the mistreatment of livestock from a food perspective.
Where does the hemp come from? Why should people grown it?
What I am proposing will take a lot of hemp. The great thing about hemp is that it is at its heart a weed. That means it can grow anywhere there is soil. The government could buy presently undesirable land, plant hemp, and while growing it would revitalize the land via replenishing the soil. That is one cost effective means of growing hemp.
When this country was founded the colonials were required to grow hemp, and it was used to pay taxes. That is one way you get people to grow hemp. You make it so there is no license required to grow it, and you allow people to use their hemp to sell to the government in lieu of paying property taxes. People will need an incentive to grow, and we are going to need all the hemp we can get in order to make this happen.
While all this hemp is growing there is going to be a noticeable positive effect on soil quality and air quality. I want environmental studies done on the geographic regions where hemp is grown which should be everywhere. This will show the positive benefits the mass hemp growing project will have on the environment. I am expecting a miracle.
Now that I finally have eyes on my proposal I challenge you to take my ideas and make them better. Read the book I have recommended. I know that this will all work.
Subsidize hemp. Grow it on a mass scale. Send out a call to action to our people to grow. Take us back to our roots when hemp was grown in colonial times for the benefit of our country. You know how to incentivize people and companies alike.
Companies like Amazon could switch entirely to hemp plastic wrap and hemp boxes. They could construct their semi trucks with hemp steel and hemp bioplastic. They could have them run on hemp biofuels.
Hemp is going to be a miracle to the economy. Replacing traditional methods with hemp is going to be less expensive in so many ways. There are going to be so many jobs created because of this. The existing traditional methods can transition over to their hemp counterparts.
Short term loss. Long term gain.
Let me make a believer out of you.
