Plastic was hailed in 1907 as the solution of a wide range of problems. Today, we now see plastic as creating a wide range of environmental problems. Obviously, we can’t do away with plastic. That would create more problems than it would solve. There is no doubt we need the many benefits of plastic in our modern life. So, what is the answer. Hemp is the answer.
HEMP PLASTIC IS BIODEGRADABLE.
The cellulose fibers in hemp is used to produce several varieties of biodegradable plastic. These plastics can be used in a variety of applications. Henry Ford used hemp plastic panels in his Model T Ford. This plastic was extremely hard and durable. Having biodegradable plastic would solve most of the environmental problems associated with our current Petro-chemical based synthetic plastic.
HEMP IS A SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT.
Unlike Petro-chemical based synthetic plastic which relies on vast stores of oil, hemp can be regrown for an unlimited amount of times. Hemp is a natural source of non-toxic biodegradable plastic that actually helps to keep the soil fertile. It needs less water than cotton and one acre of hemp can produce the same amount of paper as four acres of trees. Hemp averages two crops per year and trees take thirty to fifty years to regrow.
HEMP HAS MANY MORE USES
As we have mentioned in previous posts, hemp can be used for a variety of products such as bio-fuel, medicine, clothes, wood products, paper, ropes, sails, etc. The medicinal side of hemp, CBD, has been outlined here in this blog on many occasions, extolling the growing number of benefits of CBD. So then, why would it have been illegal for so many years?
HEMP AND ITS COUSIN, MARIJUANA
The reason for the ban on hemp has been the association of its cousin, marijuana. They are both from the cannabis family and because of that association, hemp was banned as a possible psychoactive drug. Once it was determined that a person cannot get high or intoxicated from using hemp or CBD, and the benefits of hemp were made clear to those in power, hemp was declassified as a schedule one drug and the 2018 Farm Bill made it legal to grow in the United States.
PLASTIC IS ONE MORE REASON TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF HEMP
In conclusion, we should be encouraging our legislators in Idaho to legalize hemp production as it is in forty-eight other states, to help in the mainstreaming of its use in all products, including plastics. We can do something to help the environment by encouraging the use of hemp in plastic’s production. It will require a great deal of effort to combat the large and powerful oil and gas lobby in Washington.