Hey, I didn't get to chip in on the gun hijacked thread

[mr. softie]

The feds will not allow it. For one thing, even industrial Hemp is not allowed to be grown legally without a special permit, and permits are not issued. This is a "WTF" kinda law IMHO.

"The use of hemp can be traced back to 8000 BC in the Middle East and China where the fiber was used for textiles, the oil for cosmetic purposes and the seeds for food."

"From as early as 5 BC to the mid-1800’s hemp fibers were used to manufacture 90% of all ships’ canvas sails, rigging, nets, and caulk because of its strength and resistance to the destructive effects of salt water. Hemp was also used for making paper, twines, carpet thread, carpet yarns, sailcloth, and for homespun and similar grades of woven goods. From the 500’s to the early 1900’s, many of the worlds greatest painters including Veronese, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh, created their masterpieces on hemp canvas."

"From the 1500’s to 1700’s hemp and flax were the major fiber crops in Russia and Europe and in 1606 French botanist Louis Hevert planted the first recorded hemp crop in North America in Port Royal, Acadia (present day Nova Scotia), where it became a major crop."

"The Pilgrims first brought hemp seeds to America in 1632 and by 1850 hemp was America’s third largest crop. In fact, early American farmers were required to grow it. Two U.S. Presidents, Washington and Jefferson were hemp farmers when the U.S. was formed and they signed the Bill of Rights. Both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were first drafted on hemp paper. Hemp was the world’s largest single industry until the mid-1800’s."

It was hard to process with the machine of that era. Cotton was easier, and Hemp production declined. Of course now we have machines that overcome the processing problems.

"The existence of industrial hemp’s botanical cousin, marijuana, which contains high levels of psychoactive substances, further impaired hemp’s standing. This, coupled with the desire to give a surge to the cotton, logging and synthetic fiber industries resulted in the Harrison Drug Act of 1937, which declared the cultivation of hemp in America illegal unless grown under permit. Unfortunately, the number of permits issued was few and far between and Cannabis sativa fell into the position of niche crop in most of North America."

No permits are being issued at the present time. I have heard that Big Oil was also lobbying to keep it illegal as it makes a great biofuel, hemp seed oil being usable as diesel and fuel oil. By making marijuana a controlled substance the feds can hold off the production of industrial hemp. Just one more example of the US Government being hopelessly Moronic.

"It would also be beneficial to the U.S. economy if hemp cultivation was legalized; the U.S. imports all hemp at this time. In 1999 the gross retail sales of hemp products worldwide are projected to reach $150 million. Domestic cultivation of hemp would not only boost the economy and benefit our environment; it would also reduce our need for petroleum, trees, and imported textiles and clothes." quotes from http://www.chetday.com/hemp.html