Hemp Is The Way To Go!

Before reading the article Hemp: Historical Fiber Remains Controversial I knew almost nothing about hemp and I especially did not know that it could be used in so many different ways. I knew that hemp could be used in some fabrics, but I had no idea that it could be used in paint or even used in place of our most basic fabrics. Hemp has been used by some of the more famous fashion designers such as Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani, and Ralph Lauren for over 15 years. Calvin Klein was even quoted saying that he thought hemp would be the fiber of choice in the fashion and home industries.   I understand why there is some controversy over this issue, but in my opinion the benefits of using more hemp and even growing hemp in the United States definitely out weighs the downfalls.

Hemp is not near as damaging to our environment as other fiber such as cotton and other synthetic fibers. Since hemp is naturally resistant to mold, bacteria, and pests there is no need for the use of pesticides. Hemp plants can be planted very close together and produce more fibers that cotton. Hemp plants only take 2 to 3 years to regrow compared to flax plants that can take up to 6 years.  I also learned from the hemp article that no part of the hemp plant goes to waste, it call all be used in some way. All of these traits of hemp can not only help our environment, but they can also help farmers save and make more money than they can on other crops.  When hemp and cotton are compared hemp beats cotton at almost every aspect.  Hemp has a greater tensile strength and also a better tear strength.

In the video Hempsters: Plant the Seed I learned a lot about the confusion and controversy about hemp.  People opposing the growing of hemp plants in the United States think it is too closely related to and look too similar to the plant that grows marijuana.  I understand this argument, but the two plants are very different.  In fact, if someone were to smoke the plant that hemp is made from it would most likely make them very ill.

As you can tell from reading my blog thus far, I do think that hemp can be called a miracle fiber. In the article, Are you being bamboozled? we learn that we do not always know the truth about the fibers in the products we are buying. Most consumers think if they are buying something made of bamboo they are buying something that is not harmful to the environment. However, most consumers don't know that a lot of bamboo is actually made of rayon.  So my question is why not purchase something that consumers are positive does not harm the environment.  I think the solution to this is hemp.  Being able to grow hemp in the United States would help our farmers make more money, hopefully lower the price for consumers since it will no longer have to be shipped into our country, and help our environment.  If the growing of hemp is closely monitored with laws and restrictions I do not see any reason not to legalize the growth of it.