From an article we found at EcoSection. Thanks for the info!
Hemp is a largely misunderstood and underutilized plant that is found the world over. It was actually one of the very first plants that man cultivated. It is also one of the most versatile and useful plants ever grown. Hemp is also known as Cannabis or Cannabis Sativa and has been previously used for millennia in Egypt and China as medicine.
The plant and its advocates have been criticized for the indulgent use of higher tetrahychlorocannabinol concentration plants by some people who dry or compress hemp into marijuana and hashish. Because of this, attempts to make hemp gain respect in the worldwide market have been thwarted by its critics. People should note however that industrial grade hemp has a lot less TCE in it which makes it useless as a psychoactive substance.
This versatile plant has been used for a very long time to do things like make clothes, paper, medicine, ropes and fuel in different parts of the world. Before petroleum became a major fuel source, most lamp oil was made from hemp seed.
Irrespective of how a minor part of the human population may abuse different forms of hemp, the truth is that it is VERY useful when it is used for industrial reasons.
Hemp Fabric:People have been using hemp to make things such as clothing, rope as well as canvas fabrics for a very long time. Before the industrial revolution came most of the textiles that were worn at the time had their origins in the hemp plant. Fabrics that are made from hemp are a whole lot stronger, durable and longer lasting than a lot of other materials. The same thing goes for their durability and insulating properties. Hemp fibers may also last up to three times longer than cotton fibers. Most hemp materials were usually made of coarser fibers in the past but advances in plant breeding have created a fabric that is softer and finer in nature and also equally capable of making durable and long-lasting clothing material.
Its Medicinal Uses:Some people have abused the use of high TCE-containing hemp products in order to make “feel good” drugs. The truth remains however that in many parts of the world, the hemp flower has been used to make medicinal products for years. Since it is also rich in nutritional fats and vitamins it is also used to make balms, slaves and nutritional supplements. A lot of over-the-counter drugs may contain some form of hemp be it in flowers, seeds or oils. One benefit that can be derived from using hemp in medicine is that it causes no allergies. No cases of death, overdosing or allergic reactions have been documented in the case of hemp and hemp products.
Industrial hemp is legal to grow in 29 countries of the world, and exempt from strict international drug treaties and laws but the United States continues to forbid the general production of hemp plants and products on its own soil. This is despite the positive nature of its many benefits. A number of growers are permitted to grow hemp plants in the U.S but this is under strict regulations. Other countries such as Canada which shares a border with the U.S, has a liberal policy concerning the growth of the lower TCE-breed plant for industrial purposes.
