cultivation of hemp

Ships and Sailors 

90% of ships sailed in our history since the time of the Phoenicians in 5th Century BC were made from hemp. This was only changed recently since the introduction of steam ship. 

Canvas sails, rigging, anchor ropes, cargo nets, fishing nets, flags, shrouds, and oakum (the main protection for ships against salt water, used as a sealant between loose or green beams) were made from the stalk of the hemp plant. 

Textiles & Fabrics 

Prior to 1800s, 80% of all textiles and fabrics used for clothing, tents, bed sheets and linens, rugs, drapes, quilts, towels, diapers, etc. were principally made from fibres of hemp. 

This timeline correlates with Ireland making the finest linens and Italy making the world's finest cloth for clothing with hemp. 

Fibre & Pulp Paper 

Until 1883, from 75-90% of all paper in the world was made with cannabis hemp fibre including that for books, Bibles, maps, paper money, stocks and bonds, newspapers, etc. 

Rope, Twine & Cordage 

Virtually every city and town in the world had an industry making hemp rope. Russia, however, was the world's largest producer and best-quality manufacturer, supplying 80 % of the Western world's hemp from 1740 until 1940. 

Chief among these was hemp for cordage. From 70-90% of all rope, twine, and cordage was made from hemp until 1937.  

Art Canvas 

Hemp is the perfect archival medium.  

The paintings of Van Gogh, Gainsborough, Rembrandt, etc., were primarily painted on hemp canvas, as were practically all canvas paintings. 

A strong, lustrous fibre, hemp withstands heat, mildew, insects and is not damaged by light. Oil paintings on hemp and/or flax canvas have stayed in fine condition for centuries. 

Paints & Varnishes 

For thousands of years, virtually all good paints and varnishes were made with hempseed oil and/or linseed oil. 

For instance, in 1935 alone, 116 million pounds (58,000) tons*) of hempseed were used in America just for paint and varnish. The hemp drying oil business went principally to DuPont petrochemicals. 

Lighting Oil 

Until about 1800, hempseed oil was the most consumed lighting oil in America and the world. From then until the 1870s, it was the second most consumed lighting oil, exceeded only by whale oil.  

Hempseed oil lit the lamps of legendary Aladdin, Abraham the prophet, and in real life, Abraham Lincoln. It was the brightest lamp oil. 

In fact, the celebrated botanist Luther Burbank stated, "The seed [of hemp] is prized in other countries for its oil, and its neglect here illustrates the same wasteful use of our agricultural resources." 

Biomass Energy 

Biomass can be converted to methane, methanol or gasoline at a fraction of the current cost of oil, coal, or nuclear energy - especially when environmental costs are factored in - and its mandated use would end acid rain, end sulphur-based smog, and reverse the Greenhouse Effect on our planet - right now! 

Medicine 

From 1842 through the 1890s, extremely strong hemp extractums and extracts, tinctures and elixirs were routinely the second and third most-used medicines in America for humans  

In this century, cannabis research has demonstrated therapeutic value – and complete safety - in the treatment of many health problems including glaucoma, nausea, tumours, epilepsy, infection, stress, migraines, anorexia, depression, rheumatism, arthritis and possible herpes.  

Food Oils & Protein 

Hempseed was regularly used in porridge, soups, and gruels by virtually all the people of the world up until this century. Monks were required to eat hempseed dishes three times a day, to weave their clothes with it and to print their Bibles on paper made with its fibre. 

Hempseed can be pressed for its highly nutritious vegetable oil, which contains the highest amount of essential fatty acids in the plant kingdom. These essential oils are responsible for our immune responses and clear the arteries of cholesterol and plaque. 

Building Materials & Housing 

Because one acre of hemp produces as much cellulose fibre pulp as 4.1 acres of trees, hemp is the perfect material to replace trees for pressed board, particle board and for concrete construction moulds. 

See hempcrete and breathable walls to remove house sickness