History of Hemp
Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.) is one of the oldest plants to have been continually used by humans. In fact one of the oldest artifacts that can be found is a piece of hemp fabric that has lasted from over 8,000 years ago. The hemp fabric was found attached a skeleton, and now is the oldest physical evidence of hemp usage, beating the imprints found on Yangshao pottery in China dating to the 5th millennium BC in terms of age. Although in terms of writings, there are many reports of older civilizations utilizing hemp.
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"The weaving of hemp fiber as an industry began 10,000 years ago, at approximately the same time as pottery – making and prior to metal working". – Columbia History of the World”, Harper & Row, 1981.
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Hemp was a common crop, and was planted along soybeans, wheat, and rice by the early Neolithic farmers along the Wei and Yellow rivers. Through long time efforts, the wild plant hemp was domesticated.
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Around 27th Century BC, hemp was used for medicine, fiber, and food. 3700 years later, hemp was such a large staple that it was called "Tai Ma" which translates to "Great Hemp". Hemp was called this to differentiate it from other plants of a lower value. The imagery of hemp was a large man, indicating the strong relationship between man and hemp, this was during the time of the Emporer Shen Nung. Hemp even being placed among the "five grains" of ancient China, which include the more expected grains, soybeans, wheat, rice, and barley.
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Hemp was also a factor in wars that were waged by Chinese land barons. Originally, Chinese archers made bowstrings out of bamboo fibers, when hemp's greater strength and durability was discovered bamboo was soon replaced. Enemy archers were at a large disadvantage because arrows shot with hemp bows would have more strength and go a larger distance. Hemp was so important in warfare that Chinese monarchs set aside large areas of land for hemp.
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Ts'ai Lun - also spelled as Cai Lun - was a eunuch who entered the service of the imperial palace in 75 CE, and around the year 105 Ts'ai conceived the idea of creating sheets of paper from the softened bark of trees, and hemp waste. His paper idea was found to be much more sturdy than the previous method of writing on silk, and was less expensive. The process of making such paper spread through China, and soon the rest of the world,
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The hemp paper that was discovered in the ancient city of Çatalhöyük in Turkey
Hemp in Ancient Asia
An image of the stamp of Ts'ai Lun
Hemp farming of the time described.
Hemp in Other Areas
Spaniards imported hemp to Chile for its use as fiber. In North America, hemp was grown on many plantations for use in rope, clothing and paper. By the mid-1600s, hemp had become an important part of the economy in New England, and south to Maryland and Virginia.Hemp was already being cultivated by Native Americans in the New World when the pioneers had arrived.
Hemp fibers are exceptionally strong and durable. The Colonies produced cordage, cloth, canvas, sacks and paper from hemp during the years leading up to the Revolutionary War. The first drafts of the Declaration of Independence were most likely penned on hemp paper. Hemp was a major crop that helped the economy flourish, and was a key crop for around 150 years.
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Many countries in Europe have a history with hemp, given that it was an essential crop in many places, which leaves a question in everyone's mind, why isn't this environmentally friendly, low cost crop being used now?
Hemp farm in Kentucky, in which hemp was the largest crop grown
Downfall of Hemp
It was clear that hemp was beneficial to modern society. However, in the early 1900s it was said to be a violent and dangerous drug, and declared dangerous and a threat to billion dollar enterprises. The fast rising machinery that made processing hemp easier was posing a threat to the paper, chemical, timber, and petroleum industries. The natural healing properties of hemp also stood as a threat to pharmaceutical companies.
Newspapers spread the slander and propagated stories about how evil marijuana hemp was. Stories were written that told of people committing rapes and murder while ‘under the influence’ of marijuana. Such propaganda had the papers selling like hotcakes, but they failed to mention the everyday beneficial uses of hemp. After the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act was passed, Harry Anslinger ordered the hemp prohibition.
While the law didn’t prohibit the growing of hemp, it did turn over the regulation of licensing hemp production to the Department of Revenue and added a $100 transfer tax on sales that was hindering to domestic farmers.
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As of now, the current states that allow the growing of hemp is growing, which is good. This being because of the various benefits, Hemp seeds are the most nutritious seeds in the world. Raw hemp provides a wide spectrum of health benefits, including: weight loss, increased energy, rapid recovery from disease or injury, lowered cholesterol and blood pressure, improvement in circulation and immune system as well as natural blood sugar control. Hemp grows like a weed and can be used in the production of food, personal care products, textiles, paper, and even plastic and construction materials. It is even said that Hemp could provide an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic.
Adverts against hemp, meant to demonize.
States that allow hemp in different forms (whether it be industrial or growing)
Sources
Hemp History:
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Hemp Artifact:
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Hemp in Ancient Asia:
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Hemp and the States That Allow Them:
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For more learning!