Cannabis, also known as hemp, is a plant that has been around for millions of years. It is a close relative of the common hops found in beer, and it still grows wild in Central Asia. The first traces of hemp were found in Asia, and soon after it was discovered in Europe, Africa, and South America. Hemp seeds and oil were used for pottery and food.
The cultivation of hemp dates back to the beginning of recorded history. It originated in the steppes of Central Asia and was first cultivated by the Chinese. Its first use was as food for humans and animals in China and India. Its fiber then became indispensable for manufacturing many necessary items.
For almost 3000 years, hemp was the largest agricultural crop on planet Earth and the most important industry that produced fiber, paper, clothing, fuel for lighting, and medicines used by much of humanity. It was found in tombs used as diapers or burial shrouds as early as 4000 BC. Nowadays paper can still be made from hemp, but because the industry has developed an infrastructure for the use of wood as a raw material, the production costs of hemp paper are much higher, so demand has slowed. The first recorded hemp seeds brought to Australia were for the First Fleet at the request of Sir Joseph Banks, in the hope that hemp would be produced commercially in the new colony using convict labor. The government releases a pro-hemp documentary called Hemp for Victory, in which farmers are encouraged to grow hemp to support the war. Unlike their close relative, marijuana, hemp plants don't contain significant levels of the intoxicating compound known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
By 1915, in Utah, hemp had been banned due to prejudice against Mexican immigrants and their long history of using the plant. This has opened the hemp industry to domestic production and to the expansion of hemp-based products in the U. S.Until cotton was introduced to China during the Northern Song Dynasty (960 AD - 127 AD), hemp was the dominant fabric in all of society. The use of hemp continues throughout Northern Europe, with hemp strings in southern Russia and Greece and hemp seeds and leaves in Germany.
Around 600 AD, hemp cultivation techniques were extensively addressed in the ancient Confucian text “The Essential Arts for the People” (Qi Min Yao Shu). Hemp then grew in popularity in Europe, being used mainly in the production of paper and even for printing bibles. However, hemp paper has an opportunity to help reduce the devastating impact of deforestation on the paper industry. American farmers are required by law to grow hemp as a staple crop, and many of the founding fathers of the United States are advocating for its benefits. This paper was made by shredding hemp fiber and mulberry bark to a pulp, and mixing it with water in a large water tank. Hemp has been around since ancient times and has been used for a variety of purposes throughout history.
From food to fuel to fabric, this versatile plant has been an integral part of human civilization for centuries. Today, it is making a comeback as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional materials like cotton and wood pulp. Hemp is now being used to make everything from clothing to building materials to bioplastics. It is also being studied for its potential medicinal benefits. With its many uses and potential benefits, it is no wonder that HEMP is becoming increasingly popular.
