Hemp has been associated with marijuana for so long most people think of it as an illegal drug. However many people don't realize that industrial hemp has played a major role un U.S. history.
Before 1883, 75-90% of all paper in the United States was made with hemp.
Hemp seed, at one time in our history was the #1 selling bird feed. In 1937 4 million pounds were sold in the U.S. alone!
In the middle to later part of the 1800's the second and third most commonly used medications were made of concentrated cannabis extracts and resins.
Until the year 1937 up to 90% of all rope and twine was made with hemp.
In 1941 Henry Ford built a care with plastic made with hemp and wheat straw.
Both Thomas Jefferson & George Washington grew hemp on their plantations.
The U.S. Census reported 8,327 hemp plantations of at least 2,000 acres in size. They never counted crops under that size.
The original Levi Strauss jeans were made from hemp.
In 1942 the government encouraged hemp farming to help in the war effort. They went as far in promotion as producing a movie: "Hemp for Victory."
The Declaration of Independence released on July 4, 1776 was written on hemp.
Gee, hemp is related to our independence! Maybe our government should again allow the growing of commercial hemp bringing nearly $400,000,000 of income to our American farmers!
