A History of Hemp

Ancient Hemp 20th Century Hemp Modern Hemp

20th Century Hemp

 

 

1920s to 1930s:  there is a growing demand for using “agricultural waste” from corn, flax, wheat, cotton, and other crops including hemp in making paper.  This raises the ire of the USDA, who issues another bulletin in 1932 on the development on the southern pine rather than hemp for producing paper. This is a total reversal of their 1916 report, not surprisingly, Du Pont and other large chemical manufacturers controlled the patents and processes for making paper from tree pulp. Although hard to prove, this association does lend itself to open speculation that their vested interest influenced the choice for wood products over farm products, including and especially hemp. As a result today, we now have denuded hillsides, causing landslides, changing weather patterns because of the lack of trees, and creating down stream water pollution from the scores of pulp mills. All of these have greatly contributed to world wide environmental concerns. 

From 1927-1931, the US constitution is virtually rebuilt. The rope walk in Charlestown Navy Yard manufactures the ancient style, four stranded hemp shroud-laid cordage required for her standing rigging. “Charlestown rope walk is slated for restoration and tall ships may once again be rigged for hempen cordage from this monument, which literally and figuratively lies in the shadow of Bunker Hill and Old Ironsides.

During the 1930's, many groups, including pharmaceutical companies who are patenting medicines have vested interest in discrediting hemp. However, they cannot patent a plan concentrate whose complex chemical structure had not yet been identified. With hemp off the market, they would be able to patent and market “second best drugs”.  Jack Herrer, in his book 'The Emperor Wears no Clothes', outlines the role that Du Pont and Hearst play in pushing for intense regulation in hemp. The chemical company saw hemp as a threat to the synthetic fiber market that they had just invented, and Hearst saw cheap pulp as a threat to the value of his massive forest holdings. Both these companies used their influence and media power to push restrictive legislation. In addition, southern congressmen are firmly in the hands of cotton fiber producers and help in the restrictive efforts. Hearst is credited for introducing the term “Marijuana” to the American public. He owned vast timber holdings which supplied the paper industry and which used chemicals developed by his friend, Du Pont, and he also hated minorities especially Mexicans, and used his news paper chain to aggravate racial tensions as often as he could. This hatred may have stemmed from his loss of some 800,000 acres of prime timber land to the rebel army of Poncho Villa. Consequently, in response to Ford and other companies who are promising to make every product from hemp, Du Pont lobbies the treasury department for it's prohibition, assuring chief counsel, Herman Oliphant, that his synthetic petro chemicals could replace hemp seed oil in the market place.  As a result of greed and hatred, the once vital hemp plant and the reputations of minorities, especially Mexicans are systematically reduced to garbage. 

 

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