We could be saving trees by using the hemp plant for paper and other products--why aren't we?

Question

Again, the hemp plant is different than the marijuana plant. It doesn't contain the THC that is mind-altering. Yet, it is illegal to grow in the US--while we are needlessly chopping down much needed trees. Hemp clothing, soap, beauty products, etc. can be sold here--but the hemp cannot be grown here. Until a short time ago, hemp foods were sold in stores--but that too became illegal.

Answer 1

Actually...Hemp is the male-side of the marijuana species. It contains a minimal amount of THC. Until the advent of synthetic materials, hemp was a huge market in the military and maritime industries. Hemp products are still available. I use a hemp based lotion that is great! It's too bad that "We The People" don't take back our power and demand that such an awesome and ecologically sound product be utilized.

Answer 2

Finaly Apple will take action




THE CONCEPT – " Apple-trees "


The concept is this: On Apple's outstanding internet store, ITunes they will set up the possibility to buy an "Apple-tree". This will be a non-profit project where the income goes to funding the project itself, aside from a small handling charge. (I know that this sounds bad for a commercial enterprise, but I predict that this will really establish Apple as an environmentally conscious company.)


An "Apple-tree" is an audio- and/or a video-file where (hopefully!) Al Gore will thank you for buying an "Apple-tree". He will then explain to you that by buying an "Apple-tree" you are actually buying endangered rainforests in the tropical belt around the world, which by itself is not enough to save the world but is an important contribution. Then he will give you a new tip with every purchase of an "Apple-tree", of what you can do yourself to give the earth the upper hand in the battle against oblivion. There are several enterprises today that are planting or protecting the rainforest, so Apple would mainly be the front-end marketing arm.



I predict that with Apple's impact on society, and how the conscientious consumers want to participate; this would be a way of getting control over the situation. In the near future people would meet at work, in school, in the neighbourhood and at home to compare the number of trees they have "planted".



This is good brand-building. Apple will make even more money while they are saving the planet.



Now, doesn't that sound cool?

Dag Skaug

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Answer 3

The male and female plants are not easily distinguishable from each other. Law enforcement does not have the man-power to police agricultural hemp growers, so they ban it...period. Try to find a book called The Emperor Wears No Clothes. It is the definitive story on hemp and it's various uses throughout history

Answer 4

I'm not sure what you mean by resources. Recycling paper does less good than damage. Paper is made of virgin tree pulp, we don't cut down forests for it. We should use hemp instead, it grows much faster, and has less impact on the environment. But, every week we send 100s, of thousands of large diesel trucks out to collect our recycling, than the plants used to process the recycling are big polluters. Then we use large trucks to ship it to a manufacturer, and then back to the stores, and the cycle restarts. Personally, I think recycling paper causes as much damage as it saves.

Answer 5

Because too many people who are very pòwerfull will loose money with other things

because hemp is so usefull ,and a direct competitor to the synthetic fibre industry (offshoots of the`petroleum business),and far superior ,
check who owns these large companies and you will understand

it is not the same plant as pot

The Marijuana grown for pot today ,is a short plant consisting mostly of heads ,very potent and there are very sophisticated Hybreds from parent plants from the Hymalayas and Hawaiie, this is called skunk

The hemp grown for fibre is a plant with only one head , mostly made up of tall stalks

MARIJUANA FIBRE
today Mariujana fibre is making a come back in Europe and Africa and produce designer pantalons and shirts for very high prices because the quality is superior than linnen.

these fibre plants do not produce drugs to speak of and are worthless for the drug market .it is the fibre that is the value.

and organically speaking it is an exelent plant to recuporate tired soils ,after cattle and corn field have practically destroyed the land,because the plant is deep rooted grows on most altitudes,and breaks open or loosens compacted soils as well as secreting nitrogen.

.the stalks can also be converted in to building material such as blocks

als can be used to make paper,jute bags ,ropes ,sails ,and a whole range of other things .

The war on Marijuana was mainly because this plant was competing with the synthetic fibre industry(which started in the 20ties ) ,Jeans used to be made from hemp fibre,

before 1920 the USA and Mexico were enormous Hemp producing countries.

Answer 6

You make an excellent point. It's infuriating, isn't it? I've also pondered this question. It would be of great benefit, to the environment and consumer, if we were allowed to grow and sell hemp in the U.S. Unfortunately, like many things it boils down to money and greed. The timber farmers make a fortune and fight against the legalization of hemp.

Answer 7

The primary reason is that the big timber and paper companies don't want us to switch. If we cut fewer trees, they make less money. Because they have lots of money, they can pay high powered lobbyists to sweet talk our elected officials out of voting for things like that. They also whitewash the use of hemp as a neo-hippie pipe dream (no pun intended). Sad to say, money still makes the world go 'round.

Answer 8

I'm gonna have to say that it is mostly politics, lack of education about the uses of hemp, and stereotypes about the cannibis plant. Canada has been using hemp for years successfully.

Answer 9

Trees are not in danger from the paper or lumber companies. Those businesses depend on a continued supply of trees so they plant as many as the cut. More actually, because some die young. It is clearing land for farms, housing projects, and roads that causes loss of trees, not the wood and paper industry. There are more trees every year in the U.S. because of all the planting. It is other countries that are still clearing forest faster than they planet trees.

Answer 10

ok first of all hemp is not different than marijuana. They are both parts of the cannibis plant.

Seconf the hemp part does contain some THC, but its very very litte.

I totally agree that we should use it to make alot of things, but from what I said above, you can see why the Govt. wouldnt want us growing it. Its just too easy to go ahead and fertilize it and have buds (the part you smoke) and make alot more money.

Unless they legalize dope I doubt they will ever make paper from hemp. :-(