Hemp History Revisited

From Jack Herer's book, the following is extracted for discussion purposes:

"Nylon fibers were developed between 1926-1937 by the noted Harvard chemist Wallace Carothers, working from German patents. These polyamides are long fibers based on observed natural products. Carothers, supplied with an open-ended research grant from DuPont, made a comprehensive study of natural cellulose fibers. He duplicated natural fibers in his labs and polyamides – long fibers of a specific chemical process – were developed. (Curiously, Wallace Carothers committed suicide in April of 1937, one week after the House Ways and Means Committee had the hearings on cannabis and created the bill that would eventually outlaw hemp.)

Coal tar and petroleum-based chemicals were employed, and different devices, spinnerets and processes were patented. This new type of textile, Nylon, was to be controlled from the raw material stage, as coal, to the completed product: a patented chemical product. The chemical company centralized the production and profits of the new “miracle” fiber. The introduction of Nylon, the introduction of high-volume machinery to separate hemp’s long fiber from the cellulose hurd, and the outlawing of hemp as “marijuana” all occurred simultaneously.

The new man-made fibers (MMFs) can best be described as war material. The fiber-making process has become one based on big factories, smokestacks, coolants and hazardous chemicals, rather than one of stripping out the abundant, naturally available fibers.

Coming from a history of making explosives and munitions, the old “chemical dye plants” now produce hosiery, mock linens, mock canvas, latex paint and synthetic carpets. Their polluting factories make imitation leather, upholstery and wood surfaces, while an important part of the natural cycle stands outlawed.

The standard fiber of world history, America’s traditional crop, hemp, could provide our textiles and paper and be the premier source for cellulose. The war industries – DuPont, Allied Chemical, Monsanto, etc., – are protected from competition by the marijuana laws. They made war on the natural cycle and the common farmer.

By Shan Clark"

Recap:

On February 16, 1937, US Patent #2,071,250 was granted to Dr. Wallace Hume Carothers via DuPont Inc. The patent was for synthetic linear condensation polymers. It covered the polymer and the process for making it and drawing the substance into a thread. It is a plastic called nylon. It is a thermoplastic silky substance. Thermoplastic means it can both melt and freeze. Nylon was first created in the DuPont research laboratories on February 28, 1935 and was granted patent protection nearly two years later.

On April 14, 1937, the Prohibitive Marihuana Tax Law or the bill that outlawed hemp was directly brought to the House Ways and Means Committee. Simply put, this committee is the only one that could introduce a bill to the House floor without it being debated by other committees.

In September of 1937, hemp prohibition began. Arguably the most useful plant known to man has become illegal to grow and use both in its non THC strain and THC strain called marihuana. To this day, this plant is still illegal to grow in the United States.

"We are able to inform you that ancient grandfathers, the great stands of cedar and redwoods, are in danger of extinction by chainsaws. The maple, chief of trees, is dying from the top down, as was prophesied by Ganiodaiio, Handsome Lake, in 1799. Great rivers and streams are filled with chemicals and filth, and these great veins of life are being used as sewers.

"We were told the female is sacred and carries the gift of life as our Mother Earth, the family is the center of our life and that we must build our communities with life and respect for one another.

"We were told the Creator loves children the most, and we can tell the state of affairs of the nation by how the children are being treated.

"When we return to Onondaga, we will begin our Great Midwinter ceremonies. We will tie the past year in a bundle and give thanks once again for another year on this earth.

"This was given to us, and we have despoiled and polluted it. If we are to survive, dear friends and colleagues, we must clean it up now or suffer its consequences.

. . . But Lyons also remembered turning to Leon Shenandoah, chief of the Grand Council of the Six Nations Confederacy. "My chief, he doesn't say much, but I asked and he said, `They're not taking it serious enough. I don't think they realize what's going to happen to them. What's coming.' He would have liked to see less posturing. We have our prophecies. We know what is coming down the road.'"

-- Onondaga Chief Oren Lyons, on the Global Forum he
helped organize on Environment and Development for
Survival held in Moscow, January 15 to 19, 1990.

#1 Superfood on the Planet

Did you know that there is absolutely NO THC in hemp, even though it is related to the Cannabis plant? In fact, hemp is the absolute PERFECT superfood and by adding it to your diet, you remain full longer! This is even more reason to add it to your diet!

Hulled or shelled hemp seeds makes such a delicious pudding, you wish you had this recipe a long time ago! Using hemp seeds in your smoothie will make your smoothie more creamy, more nutritious and more delicious.

Got milk? Milk made from hemp seeds are way more nutritious than any milk on the planet!

In addition, hemp food has been around since the beginning of time and there is not one reported allergic reaction to this superfood!

The only question to ask is "Why is there so much regulation around a plant that only increases one's health?"

Back in the early 20th century, it was John D, Rockefeller, Randolph Hearst and Pierre DuPont whom succeeded in outlawing hemp in America and consequently robbed the people of this superfood.

Hearst invested heavily in the timber industry as a source for his newspaper empire while DuPont was beginning to patent a number of synthetic products made from petroleum including nylon, rayon, plastics and more. Rockefeller controlled the petroleum industry with Standard Oil. Hemp was the competition and threatened the profits for these industries, controlled by greed.

It is estimated that hemp has approximately 25,000 uses and in February, 1938 Popular Mechanics published the following the following:

"It has a short growing season...It can be grown in any state...The long roots penetrate and break the soil to leave it in perfect condition for the next year's crop. The dense shock of leaves, 8 to 12 feet above the ground, chokes out weeds.
...hemp, this new crop can add immeasurably to American agriculture and industry."

Since the industrial hemp plant is a natural repellent to insects, it does not require pesticide use and therefore Monsanto is against it too.

Despite those who try to dissuade the use of hemp, for nothing other than greed, shelled hemp seeds are available throughout the world and it is in your best interest to start including this superfood in your diet.