Hemp: A History

In recent times hemp has made a resurgence in our daily lives & New Zealand is waking up to the abundant uses and benefits of Hemp.

But Hemp is by no means a new commodity.

Hemp is an ancient crop, with a track record at least as long as bread and beer’s. Evidence indicates that humans were already using hemp over 10,000 years ago, & long before that – the animal kingdom held their rein over this superfood.

Hemp has made its mark in many significant events throughout history. Connections to hemp can be drawn to the White House, where hemp paper was used for drafts of the Declaration of Independence.

Books (from Bibles to Alice in Wonderland) were originally printed on hemp paper, and the original Levi Strauss jeans were made from hemp! In the 1700s, hemp was so in demand, pioneering American farmers were legally required to grow hemp as a staple crop.

For a controversial plant – Hemp certainly has made its mark!.

Evidence of the earliest hemp use was discovered by archaeologists in modern-day China and Taiwan and dates back to 8,000 BCE. Analysis of the uncovered evidence shows hemp was used for pottery, textiles, food and medicines by these ancient societies.

Countless other discoveries show hemp being used by a wide range of cultures and societies across the millennia. From medicinal use in ancient India, to use by the Vikings for rope, hemp has found its meaningful place and purpose the globe over.

Hemp has the ability to feed us, house us, fuel us and clothe us; the diversity that hemp offers has had the plant labelled “The Wonder Plant”.

The extensive list of hemp uses is vast, so in the meantime, here are some notable mentions:

Food

The hemp seed (or heart as it is commonly known) is nature’s most nutrient dense seed. The hemp seed is a complete source of natural protein and contains all 20 amino acids, as well as a good source of essential fatty acids, notably omegas 3, 6 & 9 which the body cannot produce by itself. In fact for dietary input hemp contains natures perfect ratio (3:1) of omega 3 to omega 6. A fact that is unique to the plant world!

Fibre

The fibrous strands taken from the stem of the hemp plant are the strongest plant fibres known to man. The strength and versatility of hemp fibre makes it an outstanding solution for a wide range of everyday products, including:

Clothes and textiles: Hemp fabric is a very workable fabric and hence can be used in a multitude of products from t-shirts to carpets. Hemp fabric is hypoallergenic, naturally moisture-wicking, UV resistant and has antibacterial properties that does not allow mould and bacteria to grow. All of these properties make hemp a standout solution for comfort and functionality in garments.

Building materials: Hempcrete is a bio-composite mixture of the inner woody core of the hemp plant and a lime binder. The mixture is moulded into blocks which can be used as an insulating infill in the frames of any building. Hempcrete is a superb temperature regulator, offers a high degree of sound-proofing, fire-proofing, earthquake resistance, value for money and best yet…is carbon neutral.

Fuel

In 1941, Henry Ford constructed a prototype car that was not only, built using hemp in the vehicle’s body, but was powered by a hemp-derived biofuel. Hemp biofuel really is a viable alternative to the use of fossil fuels in our daily lives! We already know that biofuel made from hemp oil can be used in conventional diesel combustion engines. The hemp plant ingests carbon dioxide (CO2) faster than trees, so carbon dioxide emitted from the combustion of biodiesel is reabsorbed into hemp plants; hemp truly has the ability to clean the air that we breathe.

Now we appreciate that biodiesel and hempcrete building blocks, won’t necessarily be the in the contents of your grocery shopping trolley, yet it’s important to understand just a few of the many forms and uses of the innovative hemp plant.

The Decline of Hemp

In the early 1900s, despite hemp’s significant role throughout civilization, the attitude towards the plant started to change. In the US, hemp was grouped with its cannabis counterpart marijuana in the countries war on drugs. The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 initiated the steady decline of the hemp industry as within its framework all hemp sales became heavily taxed. While the war on drugs is the official reasoning as to why hemp experienced it’s decline from mainstream acceptance and use, there are many who proclaim more sinister actions at play.

Some evidence suggests that the grouping of hemp with marijuana was a ploy by big-business lobbyists and then US President, Woodrow Wilson. It truly is an uncanny coincidence that in 1937, as the Marijuana Tax Act came into effect, the large chemical company DuPont patented their manufacturing process of synthetic nylon and a new sulphate process for making paper from wood pulp; both products that hemp can provide natural, cost-effective solutions for. Isn’t it interesting that 80% of DuPont’s business would never have materialized if hemp had not been made illegal?

It may have taken close to 100 years, but sense is finally prevailing in the theatre of hemp. Over the last decade, various governments have undertaken a loosening of the tight rules and restrictions around hemp and is cultivation and the world over is now amid a hemp renaissance! New Zealand was one of the last countries to experience change in its hemp laws, with amended regulations only seeing hemp foods being fit for human consumption from November 2018. The same law amendments made it easier for farmers to apply for and receive licenses to cultivate hemp and as of now, in 2020, there are approximately 250 license holders growing hemp throughout New Zealand, a number five times greater than that of 2017.

The Hemp Revolution

The hemp revolution is truly underway and Hemp Connect is well-positioned to be an important contributor to the industry as it energizes. We have spent the last few years getting the fundamentals right and now consider ourselves to be experts in the agricultural aspects of cultivating hemp.

From seed selection, to crop management, to harvesting and processing we are skilled practitioners of it all. We have the right infrastructure and people in place to bring the highest quality hemp foods to the plates of New Zealanders and the World alike. While we are proud of where we are, we understand that this is not a time to rest on our laurels.

There are still so many unaware of the benefits of hemp to both humans and the planet, so we persevere to educate the World about the wonders of hemp. We are only at the tip of the iceberg of the potential uses of hemp in our daily lives. Accordingly, innovation drives Hemp Connect as we endeavor to take advantage of every opportunity to share hemp with the world.

Interested to read more about Hemp Connect and hemp? Carry on to another one of our articles below…

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