It’s Hemp History Week
Every day, more people are discovering the benefits of including hemp in their daily lives. There are thousands of products that are made with hemp including health food, auto parts, body care products, clothing, and building materials.
- Thomas Jefferson once said, “Hemp is of the greatest importance to our nation.”
- The Declaration of Independence was drafted on paper made from hemp.
- Hemp is one of America’s heritage crops and at one point in time, farmers were required by law to grow hemp.
- During World War II farmers were highly encouraged, through the governments own “Hemp for Victory” campaign to grow hemp to be used in war efforts.
Just check out this industrial hemp infographic to see just how much hemp can help our world.
How is it possible that we have such a strong history in favor of hemp and we can legally eat hemp, wear clothes made from hemp, rub hemp into our skin from hemp lotions and body products and use it in our building materials…yet our farmers can’t grow it?
We can attribute that to a silly law put into effect back in the 1930’s that essentially lumped hemp into the same category as marijuana, even though hemp has absolutely no drug value. Now while the rest of the world continues to grow hemp and benefits from an agricultural advantage and of course economic, the U.S. can only watch from the sidelines.
Did you know hemp products generate over $450 MILLION dollars every year? However, because we have to import hemp, our American farmers are missing out on that revenue and instead the revenue is going to other countries. Plus…since it’s imported we consumers have to pay more out of our pocket for this highly nutritious food and insanely useful material. This just doesn’t seem smart now does it?
It’s Time to Grow!
June 2 – 8, 2014 is the 5th annual Hemp History Week and there will be events happening all over the country. Hemp History Week is a national grassroots education campaign and is an industry-wide initiative of the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) and Vote Hemp. It is designed to drive support for hemp farming in the United States and it will bring with it awareness about the benefits of hemp and why we should be including it in our diets and using it in many thousands of products.
Get Involved in Hemp History Week
It is time for Federal policy on industrial hemp to reflect today’s reality and ensure a better tomorrow for America’s families and farmers, the economy and our planet.
Join the nation as we come together to spread the word about hemp! Throughout the week, it will feature over 1,000 events in cities and towns all over the country. To find an event in your area, check the Hemp History Week event calendar. You can also read more hemp history facts on our own history of hemp page. Keep an eye on our website throughout the week as we will be featuring awesome hemp facts and products all week long.
Don’t stop there. Take action and write or call your state senators and ask them to become a cosponsor of S. 359, Senator Wyden’s companion bill to H.R. 525, the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013.
Watch below to see the first hemp field harvested in the U.S. since the 50’s!
About The Author
Misty Spears
Misty is a freelance writer and entrepreneur who loves to share information about industrial hemp to help spread awareness of its health benefits as well as review products so you can find out what's good and what's bad before spending money on them. She enjoys trying out new health conscious recipes and participates in online groups and networking to help drive support for industrial hemp.
Hey Misty! Dropping by from Reese & Coco. We connected yesterday! Nice article
Hey! So good to see you over here. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
this is very helpful info on hemp. which tool did you use to create the infographic?
Very interesting post. Thank you for sharing!
I thought I knew a lot about hemp. On a trip to Europe a Canadian friend turned me on to eating the seeds mixed with carob pieces. Once when I was a volunteer deputy on our sheriff’s posse mounted division I helped harvest some growing illegally in a state game area.
But WOW, lots of cool information in your article that feeds my curiosity and geeky love of info.
I would love to actually harvest some hemp myself. What an experience! I’m a bit jealous watching the video above, but so glad it’s happening!
I really need to give hemp a try! Looks like it could help with weight loss. Great article.
Definitely give it a go! I just had an article about my own weightloss using it you’re welcome to check out Miriam http://www.hempinformer.com/hemp-seeds-for-weight-loss/
Great infographic! Does seem a bit weird that farmers can’t grow it when it’s freely available to use. I just checked on Google and you can grow it in the Uk – the ban was lifted in 1993 – but you seem to need a licence from the Home Office.
Nice post Misty, thanks for sharing as I learned something new today about how many things are actually made from Hemp, thanks!
I don’t see any reason why our US farmers can’t grow this stuff… especially since the THC levels are so minimal.
Totally agree Bonnie! Hopefully with all the legislation happening that will get resolved, but definitely take some time to write some letters to help our farmers out!
I’ve been including hemp seeds in my oatmeal and pasta dishes and it tastes surprisingly good. Thanks for the introduction!
I knew you’d like them Marilyn! I just added a subscription signup form to the website, you should check it out because I send out a free copy of a really yummy hemp seed butter spread that I use all the time. It’s great on anything, like apples, bananas, toast, bagels, etc. Sort of a peanut butter replacement for me.
Everyone seems to think pot when they think hemp which is really too bad because it’s one of the most useful plants around! Hopefully the legalization of marijuana in my state as well as Colorado will encourage education and help people realize they aren’t the same thing.
Legalization and awareness. That is the heart of why this blog started. Hopefully we can start to educate these people on the benefits of hemp.
Misty, what an interesting article. It is crazy that we can eat it, wear it, etc., but can’t grow it. I hope the powers-that-be remedy the situation very soon.
It is crazy isn’t it? We are starting to see it in a very select number of states and hopefully with enough legislation it will eventually happen across the country. I think the biggest thing is showing our support by shopping hemp products to let our dollars do the talking.