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Danielle Holbrook
Mrs. Aston
ENGL 1301.63
20 November 2015
The Total Legalization of Industrial Hemp
Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa sativa) is the plant of the future that was left in the past.
Ever since its growth was banned in various countries, the world has been suffering. This plant
should be legalized in the United States by the spread of knowledge and facts about hemp,
revision of the Controlled Substances Act, and allowing farmers to grow this cash crop. The
environmental benefits far outweigh any concern for this plants psychedelic cousin, which vary
in more ways than one.
Hemp has had a rich and interconnected history with humans. It has been grown all
around the world, and has a strong tie with each country. Not only were some of the first clothes
worn made out of hemp cloth, but the paper that Americas Founding Fathers wrote on was made
out of industrial hemp (Duppong 403-409). It was grown in America as early as when Jamestown
was established as a colony, where the citizens of Jamestown made a law that every citizen had
to grow hemp. This plant was used by Benjamin Franklin for printing, and was planted by
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. George Washington himself said that America must
continue growing this wonderful crop. The distancing from hemp that began was a drawn-out
mistake. It began with the people of America drifting from hemp clothing due to the growth in
popularity cotton industry. After cotton began ruling the clothing industry, tree pulp took over the
paper industry. This was one of the most unfortunate losses for the American people because
hemp can produce about four times the amount of material in an acre than trees. The most

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devastating loss for hemp was when the first car was introduced in the nineteenth century, which
used an internal combustion engine fueled by oil. Americas industrial hemp had faded into the
background. Only beginning to play a part again in the early 1900s, when marijuana (Cannabis
Sativa L.) appeared.
These historical findings trace the gradual fading of hemp, but it eventually became
illegal in the United States. This is a direct result of incorrect information. Many adults these
days do not know the difference between industrial hemp and its drug cousin due to the
Controlled Substance Act of 1970 (CSA), which made all forms of Cannabis illegal to grow in
the United States. This act was created partly out of fear of Mexicos new street drug called
marijuana that was gaining mass popularity in the United States because of the effect it has on
its users. The CSA also was supported by the United States Congress due to the build-up of
propaganda and trickeries (Martino). Industrial hemp was nothing but a threat to big businesses,
and since hemp could easily conquer and take over large industries like textiles, fuel and paper, it
had to be eliminated. So instead of allowing hemp to be on the market, they spread incorrect
information to the unsuspecting American population. This ranged from newspaper stories lying
about the harm of marijuana, to movies like Reefer Madness (1936). In this movie, a man
smokes marijuana and is led to insanity, killing his entire family in the process. The ending of
Reefer Madness features no happy ending, but rather a warning to protect your children. All
of these scares and an unfortunate lack of research into the difference between the two Cannabis
Sativas led to the Prohibitive Marihuana Tax Law, eventually snowballed into a prohibition.
This long-standing prohibition is what eventually allowed the Controlled Substance Act to go to
Congress, making all forms of Cannabis illegal.

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In recent years, growing hemp has made a small comeback. Starting around the mid
1990s, and over half of the state governments have changed the ban on growing industrial hemp
or plan on it. North Dakota was the first state. It created a complete, state-wide regulation that
allows certain farmers to get a license so they can grow industrial hemp (Kolosov 237-274). All
of these prospective growers must first get a license from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA),
which rejects almost all applicants. There have only been around three applicants, of all of them,
that have been approved. For those approved, the DEA made planting and growing it tedious and
expensive. No one has profited from the growth of this cash crop. The federal government may
be hesitant to allow it due to the misleading information that industrial hemp is a drug, but the
hemp grown in these fields are certified to have a low THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the
psychoactive compound in marijuana) content. Despite all of these facts that prove that the
majority of America is partial to growing hemp, the DEA still refuses to have federal registration
those all farmers who want to grow hemp. These farmers end up having two choices, face prison
time and grow an extremely useful crop or lose the opportunity altogether. However, all hope is
not lost. For the past several years a revision of the Controlled Substance Act has been
considered by the U.S. Congress. Although it has never before been approved, it remains a
possibility. Until it is approved, industrial hemp will continue to be a crop that American farmers
are prohibited from growing.
The blame for the governments exile of this plant rests on the American people. Many
uneducated people believe marijuana and hemp have no differences, but this is false. The only
reason that marijuana is popular is due to its high level of THC content, which allows the user to
experience its drug-induced effect. However, within industrial hemp, there is a high amount of
Cannabidiol (CBD), which if smoked would rather give the smoker a sickening headache with

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no drug induced effects (Butte College Students). The reason that hemp and marijuana have
different levels of THC content comes from the bud of the plant. The bud is where the drug
induced high comes from, but hemp is not cultivated with a bud, which creates a significant
distinction; they do not look identical. These two highly debated plants are also grown
differently. Marijuana grows to a five-foot height, allowing it to grow out rather than up. This
varies from industrial hemp, which is grown ten to fifteen feet high to obtain the maximum
amount of stock from each plant. Since hemp is very narrow and high, any marijuana plant in its
mix would be painfully obvious to any over-looker. Another very important distinction between
these Cannabis Sativa plants is the location of their growth. For the marijuana plant to have the
desired effect, it needs to be grown in a very warm and humid environment. Industrial hemp is
much hardier, and will grow in any region where corn can grow. The DEA may claim that
industrial hemp cannot be grown because the plant looks the same as marijuana, however this is
a painfully obvious distortion.
Cannabis sativa sativa is not only useful, but also a needed piece of the environment. It
has deep agronomic benefits including bioremediation, nitrogen fixation, prevention of soil
erosion, and deep roots, and also overall environmental benefits (Tourangeau 528-544). Trees,
what the world depends on for oxygen, take around ten years to mature. This differs from hemp,
which only takes around four months and produces about four times the amount of oxygen. If
this crop was cultivated in places where deforestation is rapidly occurring, it could recover the
amount of oxygen lost and more. The amount of pollution released on this world and fossil fuels
burned is only increasing. Thus, if this miracle plant was to be grown around the world, it could
help clean the air. Not only would it clean above ground, it could clean below ground. Putting it
in sites that show pollutants or damaging chemicals, can help clean the soil. Surprisingly, it has

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been a proven cleaner of nuclear waste. The roots, which grow deep into the Earth, naturally
filter and clean the area around it. The plant can also grow without irrigation; amazingly, hemp
grows on fifty percent less water than cotton. Overall, this plant may just have the power to
reverse most of the negative actions affecting the environment.
Industrial hemp is truly the crop that the world needs. It does not need pesticides or
chemicals for its growth, and has many uses. In their leaves, blossoms, and stems is Cannabidiol
(CBD), a chemical compound that can be used as medicine or for nutrition. Cannabis oil, taken
from the seed, is a healthy oil that can be used when cooking, fueling a car, making ink or paint
and beauty products (Firger 50-53). The seed can be made into flour, eaten as a protein packed
nut, and compressed down to make a lactose-free milk. Hemp seed is high in fiber, antioxidants,
omega-3s and protein, a true super food. There are three other vital parts of hemp: the stalk,
fiber, and hurd. The stalk can be used to make biofuel, paper products, cardboard and filters
without needing to be chemically treated to the extent trees are. Hemps leaves produce about as
much as oxygen as trees do. The fiber from the stalk, called bast fiber, is used for rope, carpet,
clothes, shoes, bags, and canvas. The clothes made from hemp are biodegradable, and less
chemically treated than cotton; additionally, hemp also takes up two times less land area than
cotton to grow a ton of product. The hurd can be used to make insulation, mulch, concrete,
fiberboard, and much more. Industrial hemp is perfect for a fast growing population, where every
piece of this leafy plant can be utilized for basic human needs.
Hemp has a world of applications. When grown to its full potential, it could effectively
feed the hungry, clothe and bandage the sick, offer a more effective alternative to concrete,
power America, and create a biodegradable plastic (Lights). The seeds from hemp are the
nutritionally ideal food and can be eaten raw. They are high in natural oils that help with brain

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growth and development, all the while satisfying the eaters appetite. The clothing created from
hemp does not require intensive chemicals, and has a texture similar to linen. Due to its antimicrobial properties it is also useful for bandages. If these bandages were sent to areas with
little-to-no access to expensive medical technology, it could save millions. One of the most
exciting possibilities of hemp is its use in building materials. A material was created that is
similar to concrete made out of hemp and lime, called hempcrete. This alternate concrete is a
natural insulator, strengthens as it dries, and it only takes less than four months using about two
and a half acres to grow enough material to build a whole house out of hemp. The biofuel
extracted from the stalk could replace nuclear energy facilities, powering the United States. If
this was implemented in places like Japan and China, it could prevent future disasters from the
spill of nuclear waste. Accidents like Chernobyl or Fukushima Daiichi could have been
prevented, and the after-effects could have been cleaned from hemps natural root filtration. In
addition, hemp can be made into a biodegradable plastic. The majority of the landfills in this
world are filled with plastic in many of its forms. Not only could a biodegradable plastic solve
many of the problems the people of the world are facing due to waste from the production of
electronics. Instead of making the widely used electronics out of plastic that will spend hundreds
of years taking up space, rather use something that can be eradicated without burning. This could
also solve various other crises that stem from oil-based plastic. Within the ocean is an island of
trash larger than New York that kills the aquatic life and poisons the water. If the world continues
to depend on oil-based plastic, this problem will only continue to grow. Hemp plastic is a much
more favorable option because it is easily reusable and does not require burning for quick
removal. All of these applications prove just how versatile of a plant that industrial hemp really
is.

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Industrial hemp is not only a miracle plant for the environment, but also for the economy.
Throughout human history, there have been various crops that saved a civilization. Those crops
are revered, almost worshipped. Fortunately, this crop, which offers all the needed provisions and
a profitable industry, is not far from humanitys grasp. About $620 million in hemp products are
sold in the United States annually, and it was all imported (Hempsters). Simply imagine if
American had taken charge of that industry, instead of having all that material imported and
spending for it. The wasted money on the clothing, fuel, and the paper industry could break
ground to a new and greener world. American people would stop having to spend as much on
shirts and paper, due to hemps durability and reusability. Although many fear that having hemp
dominate such large and vital industries would lead to job losses, the switch from these products
to hemp could not start all at once. If the United States of America started the switch of fossil
fuels, cotton, and trees to industrial hemp first with the school systems, a prevention of future job
losses could be possible. After Americas youth and adults know the truth, the Controlled
Substances Act will need to be re-written to allow a total legalization of hemp growth. Finally,
research labs for hemp and a widespread growth will commence, putting a plug in all the waste.
Hemp will be able to improve the clothing industry through more durable and cheaper to produce
clothing. It will fix the paper industry by providing paper that can be recycled three times more
than the current product (which can be recycled twice), and biodegrades easier. Currently,
America is dependent on the extraction of fossil fuels, which have an expiration date that is
quickly approaching. Instead of running cars by burning petroleum-based products, the switch to
clean burning ethanol could save the worlds climate. A movement needs to begin to save
America and its people from the industries holding its future hostage.

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Ultimately, what is at stake here is the future of Earths environment. Hemp can be
legalized in America by the spread of knowledge and facts about hemp, revision of the
Controlled Substances Act, and allowing farmers to grow this cash crop. Capitalizing on
everything that is offered by hemp can reverse all the negative things humans are suffering from
currently, making way to a brighter life. Change needs to spread from person to person, and
knowledge needs to be heard by all. If the Controlled Substance Act is not revised then America
will not be able to support its growing population and the upcoming collapse of the oil industry.

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Works Cited
Butte College Students. Industrial Hemp VS. Cannabis. n.d. Web. 5 December 2015.
<http://hempethics.weebly.com/website-creators.html>.
Duppong, Thomas A. "Industrial Hemp: How The Classification Of Industrial Hemp As Marijuana Under
The Controlled Substances Act Has Caused The Dream Of Growing Industrial Hemp In North
Dakota To Go Up In Smoke." North Dakota Law Review 85.2 (2009): 403-409. Web. Academic
Search Complete. 8 November 2015.
Firger, Jessica. "The Unsmokable Grass." Kentucky Is Turning To Multipurpose Hemp To Save Its
Flagging Farm 7 October 2015: 50-53. Web. Academic Search Complete. 15 November 2015.
Hempsters, Kentucky. Hemp 101: What is Hemp, What's It Used for, and Why is It Illegal. 14 July 2015.
Web. 5 November 2015. <https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/hemp-101-what-is-hempwhats-it-used-for-and-why-is-it-illegal>.
Kolosov, Christine A. "Evaluating The Public Interest: Regulation Of Industrial Hemp Under The
Controlled Substances Act." UCLA Law Review (2009): 237-274. Web. Academic Search
Complete. 8 November 2015. <http://www.uclalawreview.org/evaluating-the-public-interestregulation-of-industrial-hemp-under-the-controlled-substances-act/>.
Lights, Zion. 4 Ways Hemp Can Save the World. 7 June 2012. Web. 6 December 2015.
<http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/4-ways-hemp-can-save-the-world/>.
Martino, Joe. How Hemp Became Illegal: The Marijuana Link. 5 December 2012. Web. 28 November
2015. <http://www.collective-evolution.com/2012/12/05/how-hemp-became-illegal-themarijuana-link/>.

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Tourangeau, Wesley. "Re-Defining Environmental Harms: Green Criminology And The State Of Canada's
Hemp Industry." Canadian Journal Of Criminology & Criminal Justice 57.4 (2015): 528-554.
Web. Academic Search Complete. 8 November 2015.