extract
by extract
Condensed Hemp History
August 6, 2018 in Growing
The first use of hemp dates back 10,000-12,000 years according to many historians. However, recent discoveries in Czechoslovakia using carbon dating methods have presented the world with rope made from hemp fiber dating back to 26,000 BC.
It is well documented that in Taiwan, hemp cords were used to create pottery. With its medicinal and material qualities, hemp gained traction as a practical, multi-purpose plant in China, India, and Iraq. Italy enjoyed widespread uses of hemp rope, and in 1606 France and Britain adopted this plant for its construction capabilities.
During the 1800’s the USA was producing industrial hemp in large scale-operations, with many plantations thriving well into 1995. Unfortunately, the road wasn’t easy and hemp’s fate lingered with pending government regulations. In 1937 the Marijuana Tax Act came into full effect, derailing hemp production. Canada joined this movement in 1938, halting production here as well.
Despite strict government regulations on the plant, a sub-culture of Canadians prevailed that was willing to risk social stigma and legal action to keep the spirit of cannabis alive. They were one of many factors contributing to the pending legalization of cannabis that will allow us to enjoy many opportunities to re-introduce this multi-purpose plant back into society.
by extract
Hemp in the Wild West (1865-1895)
August 6, 2018 in Weed
The American Wild West era was an exciting 30-year period beginning in 1865, glamorized by catchy piano tunes, outlaws and cowboy standoffs. During this time, hemp was undergoing a revolution of its own. It was a major industrial asset in the United States, with an estimated 8,400 documented hemp plantations.
In Canada and the United States, the strong hemp fibers were used abundantly in paper, oils, clothing, and birdfeed. Most of the plantations in North America could be found in Kentucky.
Eventually, unethical and inhumane employment conditions became a major limiting drawback to growth of these plantations. Fortunately, some brilliant and open-minded individuals continued to promote cannabis and its many uses.
Henry Ford, born in 1863, would later become enthusiastic about the potential uses for hemp drawing buzz for a short period of time.
Unfortunately this realization happened too late, and the cannabis industry as we know it in the United States was on the decline. Soldiers in Mexico during this time continued to use hemp for making cigarettes. As the Wild West days neared their end, so did the hemp industry in North America. Now that’s no smoking gun of a tale.
by extract
2018 Pacific Rim Hemp Conference Edmonton Hemp Tour
August 6, 2018 in Events
The Pacific Rim Hemp Conference will be hosted in Vancouver, BC from July 18 to July 19 2018. This conference includes the Global Hemp Trade Symposium, which brings together panelists from around the globe discussing their country’s viewpoint on the trade of hemp materials.
Topics of discussion will range from nutraceuticals, to hemp business and market strategy. The panel is made up of delegates from China, Mexico, Australia, India, and Europe. These panelists will shed international insight on issues surrounding hemp trade followed by a question and answer period allowing the audience to participate in the discussion. The conference also offers space for exhibits from organizations such as the University of British Columbia and Hemplab.
If you’re interested in new technological developments and cutting edge research, there will be no shortage of learning opportunities here.
The delegates of the 2018 Pacific Rim Hemp Conference are eligible to attend a pre-conference hemp tour sponsored by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry and Innotech Alberta. Alberta’s extensive development of hemp fields has sparked much interest in recent years. Delegates will arrive in Edmonton on July 16, 2018 where they will travel to Vegreville and Leduc to visit a hemp farm, fiber processing facility and food production plant.
