Hemp Wisdom ♡ Cannnnnaaaaabisssss S-s-s-ssssssativa

      

Used for thousands of years by a wide variety of cultures, Hemp is among the oldest industries on the planet. 

Wisdom. 

The word ‘canvas’ (traditionally made from Hemp) comes from cannabis (Latin). This word comes from kaneh-bosem, Hebrew for ‘aromatic cane’. And we dooo love dat sweet aroma.Although Hemp and marijuana are both from the cannabis species, Hemp contains virtually no THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana). If you smoke Hemp you will likely get a headache. Its THC level is less than 1%. 

Hemp was traditionally used as an industrial fiber. Sailors (Yarrrrrrr) relied upon hemp cordage for strength to hold their ships and sails, and the coarseness of the fiber made hemp useful for canvas, sailcloth, sacks, rope, and paper. So basically dat shit is super strong.  

Hemp is currently being used worldwide as textile, food, biodiesel, building material (shout out to Hemp Crete!!!), harvesting biomass, paper, plastics, rope, car components, wallpaper, acoustic baffling, barn bedding, regular bedding! The list is endless. (Another topic is hemp/organic bedding which is super necessary for a life of Dank-a-Dance but we will get into it another time.)Seriously though, we breath and absorb while we sleep too!  

Are we destined for a life in plastic? Neh! Be Aware. Take Care.If we look back 125 years, 70 to 90 percent of all rope, twine, cordage, sails, canvas, fibre, cloth, etc., was made out of hemp fibre. It was only replaced around the 1940s by the introduction of petrochemical fibres such as nylon. Also a great topic for discussion, nylon is one of the least eco-friendly textiles. Even after the manufacturing process is finished, it still retains toxic residues. Non-renewable. Not sustainable. Poison. Neh! 

What else can we use this radiant, life bringing plant for?!… Food! Get it in ya! Hemp seeds also known as Hemp Hearts are great for a multitude of reasons! These Super Seeds are a plant based source of complete proteins (meaning it contains sufficient amounts of all 9 essential amino acids that make a protein). They sit superior in protein content compared with other seeds such as chia and flax, Hemp seeds containing 3.5g/1tbs. These lil’ guys contain Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, DHA and EPA. These vitamins must come to the body from outside sources and are important for brain development, immune system function and blood pressure regulation. Hemp is most definitely an advocate for health and strength. Truth and Freedom baby! 

                

Hemp seeds are also pressed for their oil. This oil can be used in food, or as a biodiesel. 

What is Biodiesel?! Gaaaaa, too much fun!  Biodiesel is an alternative to petroleum diesel which is a non-renewable resource.

Imagine… donating blood every day. That’s our relationship with Mother Earth. Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils, animal fat, or waste food grease. If the oil is clean enough you can run it through a regular diesel engine! A few filters and heaters later we are rollin in sustainability. Wait! It gets better. Hemp is a plant? Yes… Meaning the output emissions of CO2 are offset by CO2 captured by Hemp in its growing process. Yessssssss.

Ethanol is another friend to shout out! A clean-burning, gasoline-type fuel made by fermenting biomass into alcohol. Sexy clean.So ya.. we can run our vehicles on oil, obviously.. but it is important to realize that it IS possible AND necessary that we explore the use of renewable resources such as these.

                                                       

                                                                                BIOCHAR

Biomass is an organic material which has stored sunlight in the form of chemical energy. This material can be heated to release its flammable gasses which can run generators or even vehicles while at the same time is turned into Biochar that is used to nourish soil.Hemp is the number one biomass producer on the planet! 10 tons per acre in approximately four months or every harvest. 

Then we Holla to farm life!Hemp is an extremely fast growing crop, producing more fiber yield per acre than any other source. Its short growth period of 85-120 days makes it well suited for cultivation in many parts of Canada!! Look local.Hemp can produce 250% more fiber than cotton, and 600% more fiber than flax inhabiting the same amount of land. Dang. 

Hemp planting reduces deforestation and improves the soil upon which it is grown. Where the ground permits, hemp's strong roots descend for three feet or more. The roots anchor and protect the soil from runoff and preserve topsoil.Basically, Hemp does not exhaust the soil. Hemp plants shed their leaves all through the growing season, adding rich organic matter to the topsoil and helping it retain moisture.

Hemp is highly resistant to most insect and disease, largely eliminating the need for most (or all) pesticides and herbicides! Yesss. We can breath and wear clothing that is beautiful, durable.. and not leaching poison into one of our most vulnerable organs. All products made solely from hemp fibre are biodegradable, compostable and recyclable. Thus, they live a full and meaningful life, and are easy on landfills.A worker-friendly, non-toxic material.

Hemp is highly resistant to most insect and disease, largely eliminating the need for most (or all) pesticides and herbicides! Yesss. We can breath and wear clothing that is beautiful, durable.. and not leaching poison into one of our most vulnerable organs. All products made solely from hemp fibre are biodegradable, compostable and recyclable. Thus, they live a full and meaningful life, and are easy on landfills.A worker-friendly, non-toxic material.

Hemp is anti-microbial, anti-mildew, naturally UV resistant textile that readily takes on eco-safe plant-based dyes. Because of its flexible and versatile nature, Hemp can be blended with other fibers such as cotton, silk, bamboo, tencel, spandex.. creating different textures and feels. Hemp is also an efficient insulator keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer! This efficiency carries through to natural building styles with substances like Hemp crete or cob!

The possibilities for Hemp fabrics are immense. It is likely that they will eventually supersede cotton, linen, and polyester in numerous areas.  Uh.. sooo Whoa.You can eat it! You can poop it! You can burn it! You can make pretty things with it! Hemp offers one of the strongest and longest natural fiber known to mankind.  mmm. Wisdom.