Uses of Hemp
Introduction
According to , hemp is another name for any plant belonging to the genus Cannabis. It is also a term used to describe non-drug cannabis, or industrial hemp. There are many uses for hemp, in the aspect of food, drug, nutrition and fiber. However, there are also restrictions for growing hemp. This is due to the ability of the hemp to produce addictive substances. Because of these, governments need to make private organizations to regulate the production of hemp, thus making hemp a bit more expensive. Many families are involved in the legal production of hemp, not only in the United States but around the world. It is a responsibility of governments to find ways to be able to inculcate to the citizens the uses of hemp. But this is easier said than done. Providing clear guidelines and restrictions to millions of people requires many things, the most important of which is money. No wonder there are many poor countries that could not stop the deliberate misuse of hemp. Such situations could not be blamed solely on irresponsible governments but to lack of funds as well which is beyond the government’s power.
BODY
Hemp has a number of uses, some of which are the production of cords to aid the manufacturing industry, food, and other such materials.
Food
According to , hemp is very much similar to sunflower seeds. Hemp seeds produce oil and also can be used for food and milk tea (2007). Furthermore, hemp seeds can also produce non-dairy milk, much similar to soy. It can also produce non-dairy ice cream. Other products produced by food companies from hemp are: “value added hemp seed items that include the seed oils, whole hemp grain (which is sterilized as per international law), hulled hemp seed (the whole seed without the mineral rich outer shell), hemp flour, hemp cake (a by-product of pressing the seed for oil) and hemp protein powder.” ( 2007). According to the same reference, the UK does sell hemp based products but do not give out licenses and permits for the production of hemp products (2007).
Medicine
Some individualsfight to be recognized as ill, or fight to be recognized as healthy, whereasothers contest such declarations of disease and normality. Aspeople encounter these fights, they forge collective identities.Now more than ever, the social identities that individuals constructfor themselves in terms of disease are being complicated bytheir relationships with pharmaceutical (2002).
Cannabis is a regulated drug. Though many countries ban the usage of cannabis due to its adverse effects if taken in large dosages, there are currently seven patients in the United States of America Who are taking cannabis as a therapeutic drug under the Federal Medical Marijuana program (2007). But according to “in its natural form, (cannabis) is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known.” ( 2007).
Fiber
The hemp used to be a very popular material for making ropes. Its fiber is very strong so it yielded very strong ropes. Before the industrial revolution, hemp was one of the most famous and widely used fibers because it grew fast and it was strong ( 2007)., who wrote the book, “The Emperor Wears no Clothes”, summarized the discovery of chief scientists
“In 1916, USDA Bulletin No. 404, reported that one acre of cannabis hemp, in annual rotation over a 20-year period, would produce as much pulp for paper as 4.1 acres of trees being cut down over the same 20-year period. This process would use only 1/4 to 1/7 as much polluting sulfur-based acid chemicals to break down the glue-like lignin that binds the fibers of the pulp, or even none at all using soda ash. The problem of dioxin contamination of rivers is avoided in the hemp paper making process, which does not need to use chlorine bleach (as the wood pulp paper making process requires) but instead safely substitutes hydrogen peroxide in the bleaching process. … If the new (1916) hemp pulp paper process were legal today, it would soon replace about 70% of all wood pulp paper, including computer printout paper, corrugated boxes and paper bags.”
Fuel
Hemp is also known to produce biofuels such as biodiesel and bioalcohol ( 2007).
Conlusion
Ensuring access to safe production of hemp worldwide should therefore also be a priority. Hemp is therefore an issue that affects many individuals globally. Hemp is considered an economic issue because it is found out to be essential for the reduction of poverty, agriculture, food and energy production, as well as recreation. Many poor countries would have to wait for funds from the generosity of other governments, contributions from private sectors, and leadership of other governments. It cannot be argued that people have to pay in order to have hemp production regulated. And even if these are considered regulated hemp, there are still many people who would choose to misuse hemp. This is a matter that also needs to be taken into consideration. These are comparisons that reflect the scarcity of people who chose to restrain themselves. From all these, we could conclude that is clearly dangerous, but with a little restraint and regulation, this could be beneficial to all of us.
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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