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<p>As the world continues to reel from the economic impact from the <br/>widespread lockdown, people are trying to come to grips with what a “new<br/> normal” economy could look like. So far, massive money printing and <br/>centralized solutions are proving to be the flimsiest of temporary <br/>band-aids for what is looking to be a very long-term upheaval.</p>
<p><img src="https://images.hive.blog/DQmXbkAG8ZrNLq7GvmhKM9F52ky7Eq4dscaeN7Q6oXaXMUr/image.png" alt="image.png"/></p>
<p>It’s not only job losses and stunted business growth across nearly <br/>every sector, we are also learning about threats to the entire food and <br/>agricultural supply chain. It’s becoming clearer by the day that any <br/>long-lasting solution must encompass a broad range of considerations to <br/>offer any type of sustainable economic future.</p>
<p>Enter hemp — the oft-forgotten crop that was foundational to America’s early success.</p>
<p>While many people have been introduced to hemp through the growing popularity of natural CBD products such as <a href="https://www.cibdol.com/">Cibdol</a>, hemp’s multitude of beneficial uses was recognized as early as <a href="http://www.hemptrade.ca/eguide/background/history-of-hemp">10,000 years ago</a><br/> in China and Mesopotamia! But it wasn’t until the 1600s that hemp found<br/> its way to North America and eventually became a staple crop in the <br/>United States during the 1700s. It’s now known that the Declaration of <br/>Independence was written on hemp paper, and at various times it was <a href="https://www.farmcollector.com/farm-life/strategic-fibers"><em>legally required</em></a> for farmers to grow hemp and pay taxes with it. How times have changed.</p>
<p>Strangely, the federal government began to take a stand against hemp <br/>in 1937 when they made the tenuous connection to “marihuana” and its <br/>been an uphill battle ever since. However, a growing number of states <br/>have rebelled through nullification, as the <a href="https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2018/04/11/farmers-and-entrepreneurs-growing-a-successful-hemp-industry-despite-federal-prohibition/">Tenth Amendment Center</a> has extensively reported, with Colorado perhaps being the best example.</p>
<p>Given the magnitude of what we are facing economically and <br/>environmentally, it would be wise to use some of this momentum that hemp<br/> was experiencing prior to the corona-crisis and once again look to its <br/>benefits for a chance at both national and global revival.</p>
<p><strong>Save the bees and save our food supply</strong></p>
<p>For decades, our key pollinators have been under assault from a <br/>variety of toxins and stressors, with some experts warning of their <br/>near-total collapse and the subsequent human disaster that could unfold <br/>in the form of crop failures and <a href="http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/1194910/icode/">food shortages</a>.<br/> Fortunately, studies have shown that bees are heavily attracted to <br/>hemp. As the team of researchers at Colorado State University <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0961953419300248">wrote</a>, “Industrial hemp can play an important role in providing sustained nutritional options for bees during the cropping season.”</p>
<p><strong>Agriculture and the economy</strong></p>
<p>Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has long been championing the economic <br/>benefits that could manifest by farming hemp. As we are seeing a <br/>cataclysm of unemployment from the corona-crisis, what better way to <br/>encourage the type of employment that will result in many local and <br/>large-scale efforts at regenerating economies?</p>
<p>As a self-sufficient <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18_yXt1s2yc">homesteader himself</a>,<br/> Massie is well positioned to give his expert opinion not only on the <br/>mechanics of farming, but on the legislation that can help free up hemp <br/>farming and industry for the masses. Remember, it’s not only the <br/>farming, but the entire economic apparatus of accountants, lawyers, <br/>marketers, etc. that are needed throughout any industry. The key <br/>difference is that this industry gives back to communities as well as <br/>the environment.</p>
<p>This quick interview with Massie chronicles his legislative hurdles <br/>with the federal government, but why it is so important to ultimately <br/>win this battle. You’ll also hear the ridiculous arguments made by the <br/>forces in opposition to natural hemp production.</p>
<p>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ymKXfseamQ</p>
<p><strong>Housing and Manufacturing</strong></p>
<p>Concrete is one of the most environmentally disastrous forms of <br/>construction on the planet. The widespread use of cement has actually <br/>created a global shortage of sand, in addition to being linked as a <br/>contributing factor to climate change. Regardless of one’s position on <br/>that hot-button topic, hemp is simply a more sustainable and <br/>economically viable alternative … and many architects are beginning to <br/>recognize this.</p>
<p>Hemp concrete – “hempcrete” – can be used in all areas of <br/>construction, including insulation. It has been shown to inhibit mold <br/>growth as it is naturally more breathable, making it ideal for use in <br/>humid locations. There has been some debate about whether the widespread<br/> use of hemp in construction will wind up being cheaper, but another <br/>innovation might help hemp win the argument: 3D printing. One company <br/>in Australia used 3D printing to <a href="https://truththeory.com/2019/10/06/company-building-hemp-homes-using-3d-printing-technology/">build hemp panels</a> which they say are “structurally sound, easy to produce, and provide superior thermal performance.”</p>
<p>Hemp also has been explored for use as a steel replacement; its <br/>properties can result in material 10 times stronger than steel, with <br/>greater flexibility. One aviation company even produced the world’s <br/>first <a href="https://achnews.org/2019/07/27/the-worlds-first-plane-made-and-powered-by-hemp/">100% hemp plane</a>.<br/> In addition to the greater strength, lower weight and overall lower <br/>cost, there is the added benefit of reducing the many other toxic <br/>materials that result from mining and appear throughout the interior and<br/> exterior of aircraft.</p>
<p>Lastly, <a href="https://themindunleashed.com/2019/10/hemp-batteries-more-powerful-lithium-graphene.html">hemp batteries</a> are even being pursued as studies have shown they might even be more powerful than graphene and lithium.</p>
<p><strong>Petrochemical reduction</strong></p>
<p>Replacing plastics has been a long-term goal across a variety of <br/>industries as a new information constantly reveals the damaging effects <br/>of petrochemical use and subsequent pollution of the planet. The idea of<br/> a material that would be as functional as plastic, but also biodegrade <br/>is a literal panacea. Fortunately, here too we are seeing an increasing <br/>number of products meant to reduce this harmful waste through <br/>“bioplastics.” Even the establishment magazine <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellistalton/2019/04/04/industrial-hemp-is-the-answer-to-petrochemical-dependency/#62a7b56e72d8"><em>Forbes</em></a> had to admit that industrial hemp could hold the answer to most of the world’s ills.</p>
<p><strong>Clothing</strong></p>
<p>Hemp has also been pursued as a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/levis-investing-in-hemp-as-a-cotton-alternative-2019-5">cotton replacement</a><br/> by clothing companies as large as Levi’s. The company cited benefits <br/>like water reduction in the cultivation process by up to two-thirds as <br/>being both economically and environmentally more sustainable. However, <br/>the benefits are also transferred to consumers as properly produced <br/>garments are lighter, more absorbent, stronger and even UV and mold <br/>resistant.</p>
<p><strong>Nutrition</strong></p>
<p>Hemp seeds, in particular, are now recognized as one of the <br/>healthiest food sources on the planet. During a time where we should be <br/>doing everything in our power to boost our immune system, hemp offers <br/>yet another solution. As Amanda Froelich <a href="https://truththeory.com/2019/11/01/top-7-health-benefits-of-consuming-hemp-seed-and-protein/">writes</a>,</p>
<blockquote><p>Hemp seeds contain the globular proteins edestin and <br/>albumin. This is important because enzymes, antibodies, hormones, and <br/>fibrinogen are all made from globular proteins. Furthermore, edestin and<br/> albumin make up the fluid in a portion of the blood plasma. As a <br/>result, these proteins are essential to build a healthy immune system.</p></blockquote>
<p>Other key health benefits include boosting energy, improving digestion and building muscle.</p>
<p>It’s well past time that we throw off any stigma surrounding hemp and<br/> return to the pages of history where hemp was openly recognized as not <br/>only beneficial to health, agriculture, the environment and economies – <br/>but <em>essential</em>.</p>
<p>By Steven Maxwell</p>
<p><em>Top image: </em><a href="https://www.pixabay.com"><em>Pixabay</em></a></p>
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