by HempingtonPost | Mar 31, 2017
Industrial hemp is an invaluable renewable resource that is gaining popularity in the U.S. marketplace. As states in the U.S. continue to legalize hemp, more and more hemp products are found on local store shelves.
The U.S. is currently the largest importer of industrial hemp grown products in the world. To date, almost all hemp merchandise on U.S. shelves are imported into the U.S., as the commercial cultivation of industrial hemp is still illegal under U.S. Federal law. Although market data is not readily available, the Congressional Research Service estimated that the U.S. imported $12,271,000 worth of hemp goods in 2011. In 2013, the U.S. imported approximately $36,866,000 of products made of hemp. Now in 2016, it’s clear to see the demand for hemp in the U.S. is increasing exponentially.
Similarly, as U.S. imports of hemp increase, the U.S. market share for hemp products is increasing exponentially. In 2010, Vote Hemp estimated U.S. retail industrial hemp sales at $419 million. In 2013, the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) estimated U.S. retail sales around $581 million. In 2015, HIA estimated U.S. retails sales at more than $620 million. These products were all produced with imported hemp. It’s time U.S. farmers share in that market.
Legalize Industrial Hemp
At least 27 U.S. states have distinguished hemp from marijuana, removing barriers to production. As more states re-legalize, declassify hemp and begin hemp production, we will start to see “Made in the U.S.A.” products on store shelves.
Currently, hemp grown products in America are produced, manufactured, and sold under the auspices of market research, compliant with provisions in the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). Pending action on the federal level, U.S. farmers will soon engage in full commercial cultivation.
Many U.S. states have enacted hemp cultivation legislation specifically for the economic opportunities that industrial hemp provides. For example, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky base their support for hemp legalization, and in particular Kentucky’s hemp legalization in 2013, on the economic benefits of industrial hemp. Senate Majority Leader McConnell stated,
“After long discussions with Senator Rand Paul and Commissioner James Comer on the economic benefits of hemp, I am convinced that allowing its production will be a positive development for Kentucky’s farm families and economy…The utilization of hemp to produce everything from clothing to paper is real and if there is a capacity to center a new domestic industry in Kentucky that will create jobs in these difficult economic times that sounds like a good thing to me.”
Legislative Committees around the country that are reviewing proposed hemp bills are echoing industrial hemp’s potential as a mechanism to create jobs and provide abundant economic opportunities. One of the focuses of the Oregon 2016 Legislative Session was the implementation of industrial hemp legislation that provides for a sustainable industry that will provide farmers with an alternative crop as well as put rural communities back to work. In Oregon, this is especially important for those communities that have been negatively affected by the decline in the timber industry. Rural communities throughout the country are seeking new economic opportunities, which hemp farming can provide.
A resurgence in the hemp industry, hemp production will create jobs in all sectors. For example, positions will open up in academics, agriculture, business administration, construction, health care, law, manufacturing, marketing, processing, retail sales, and transportation sectors. Since hemp can be produced into a myriad of products, all sectors will be able to take advantage of hemp benefits.
Increasing hemp acreage is paramount to realizing industrial hemp’s economic benefits. As U.S. farmers increase production, U.S. manufacturers and retailers will use U.S. grown industrial hemp, and will no longer need to rely on imported hemp. Having an increased, local supply of industrial hemp will enable U.S. manufacturers to engage in state of the art processing techniques to produce products from industrial hemp that are currently being produced from non-renewable materials, for example, hemp plastics. Eventually, the U.S. will export, rather than import, industrial hemp grown products.
Availability of U.S. hemp will reduce importation and transportation costs, which will lead to reduced wholesale and retail costs of hemp products. As wholesale costs decrease, manufacturers not currently using hemp in their products will be able to incorporate industrial hemp into those products. As retail prices decrease, more consumers will be able to afford items from the hemp industry and they will become common household items, in all households.
Increasing U.S. production will also provide significant environmental benefits. Hemp farmers that are currently allowing their fields to go fallow, can use industrial hemp as a rotation crop. When used in rotation, hemp plants can break disease cycles, replenish soil, and provide farmers with additional income. Industrial hemp can also remove toxins added to soil through conventional farming, assisting farmers converting to organic farming. Consumers are becoming conscious consumers, demanding sustainability produced and organically grown products. Industry representatives report that organic hemp products retail for three times the value of conventional industrial hemp grown products.
To guarantee the U.S. once again reaps the full potential industrial hemp has to offer, it is essential that laws enacted regulating industrial hemp provide for a sustainable, thriving industry. Arbitrary limitations today will have significant impacts on the development of the industry in years to come. Hemp laws need to protect agricultural, manufacturing, and consumer interests, while ensuring standards are put in place that protect public health and safety.
Industrial hemp is already starting to revitalize the U.S. economy. Development of the U.S. industrial hemp industry is providing abundant economic opportunities around every corner. As US hemp farmers begin to increase their production, processors are modifying existing hemp processing equipment as well as bringing new hemp processing equipment to the U.S., manufacturers are developing new products, and retailers are bringing those products to market. jobs are opening up in all sectors in states that are actively developing an industrial hemp industry. Industrial hemp will provide for a strong, sustainable economy.
Written by Courtney N. Moran, LL.M.
EARTH Law, LLC – courtney@earthlawllc.com
by HempingtonPost | Mar 20, 2017
Learning about the powerful ingredients of Hemp and what it provides as a high fiber, the powerpacked source of food, we continue to discover how Hemp has something for everybody thttp://reset.me/story/hemp-seed-the-most-nutritionally-complete-food-source.
Hemp, or cannabis sativa, has been called the world’s most versatile and useful plant for many reasons, one of which is because it benefits the human body. Hemp seeds are becoming a welcome addition to the diet of many health-conscious individuals, who have let go of the delusion that anything related marijuana or cannabis is bad, a common misconception imposed on the public over the last 80 years of federal cannabis prohibition.
The simple fact is that hemp seed is one of the most nutritionally complete foods available. Hemp seed food products, depending on how they are processed, offer some or all of the following: the ideal ratio of Omega-3/Omega-6 fatty acids, all 8 essential amino acids, digestible protein, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, riboflavin, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D, magnesium, iron, and zinc.
read more here http://reset.me/story/hemp-seed-the-most-nutritionally-complete-food-source/…
link
by HempingtonPost | Mar 16, 2017
We are very excited to launch this site HempingtonPost, where you’ll discover the world of all things hemp!
As you can see in our image here – hemp is an extremely versatile. Join the evolution today and stay on the leading edge of the Hemp revolution.
There’s so much to be done to ‘Make Hemp Legal’ in America. Our farmers need to ‘be able to grow commercially’, currently in America this is not possible. Our country could also produce ‘HEMP PRODUCTS’ instead of importing 1/2 billion dollars a year from other countries, this is not happening. Laws need to be changed and ‘we the people’ need to take our human rights back!
Please join the progressive game changers and be a part of the Hemp Evolution!
see the link at the bottom of this page!
by HempingtonPost | Mar 9, 2017
The most important physiologic system involved with establishing & maintaining human health is the Endocannabinoid system
By Viola Brugnatelli
Endocannabinoids and their receptors are found throughout the body: in the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells. In each tissue, the cannabinoid system performs different tasks, but the goal is always the same: homeostasis, the maintenance of a stable internal environment despite fluctuations in the external environment.
Cannabinoids promote homeostasis at every level of biological life, from the sub-cellular, to the organism, and perhaps to the community and beyond.
Here’s one example: autophagy, a process in which a cell sequesters part of its contents to be self-digested and recycled, is mediated by the cannabinoid system.
While this process keeps normal cells alive, allowing them to maintain a balance between the synthesis, degradation, and subsequent recycling of cellular products, it has a deadly effect on malignant tumor cells, causing them to consume themselves in a programmed cellular suicide.
The death of cancer cells, of course, promotes homeostasis and survival at the level of the entire organism. Find out better how cannabinoids are effective anti-tumoral agents and what therapy could assist you to fight cancer. Endocannabinoids are also neuromodulators, allowing communication and coordination between different cell types.
At the site of an injury, for example, cannabinoids can be found decreasing the release of activators and sensitizers from the injured tissue, stabilizing the nerve cell to prevent excessive firing, calming nearby immune cells to prevent release of pro-inflammatory substances.
Three different mechanisms of action on three different cell types for a single purpose: minimize the pain and damage caused by the injury.
Check out why cannabinoids are the best option for chronic pain, neuropathic pain or inflammatory pain.
While it may seem we know a lot about cannabinoids, the estimated twenty thousand scientific articles have just begun to shed light on the subject.
What we know about Cannabinoids thus far…
(without getting over specific with terminology and mechanisms otherwise pedantic for general public)
Cannabinoid receptors are present throughout the body, embedded in cell membranes, and are believed to be more numerous than any other receptor system. When cannabinoid receptors are stimulated, a variety of physiologic processes ensue.
The Two Cannabinoid Receptors that have been identified
CB1, predominantly present in the nervous system, (is the most abundant G-protein coupled receptor of the CNS) connective tissues, gonads, glands, and organs;
CB2, predominantly found in the immune system and its associated structures.
There are many researchers speculating on a larger number of cannabinoid receptors, such as GPR55, that are also sensitive to lipid cannabinoids.
Life is not possible in those of us who do not have cannabinoid receptors:
In fact, depleting the gene encoding receptor sequence (in order to obtain a cannabinoid knockout KO -/-), prevents embryo development and survival to birth.
What’s An Endocannabinoid?
The two most well understood endocannabinoid molecules are called Anandamide (from Sanskrit, bliss) and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2/AG).
They are synthesized on demand from cell membrane arachidonic acid derivatives, have a local effect and short half-life before being degraded by the enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL).
Chemically, endocannabinoids are eicosanoids (oxidised fatty acids) and for this reason during the International Cannabinoid Research Society symposium of 2014, it has been proposed to change the nomenclature of “endocannabinoids” to “eicosanoids” in order to prevent stigma for therapies that target the cannabinoid system, but clearly lack of the cannabis component. (this has never taken place yet)
Phytocannabinoids are plant substances that stimulate cannabinoid receptors.
Most phytocannabinoids have been isolated from Cannabis sativa, but other medical herbs, such as Echinacea purpurea have been found to contain non-psychoactive cannabinoids as well.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the most psychoactive and certainly the most famous of these substances, but other cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) and cannabinoid acids, are gaining the interest of researchers due to a variety of healing properties (that are further discussed here).
INTERESTINGLY, THE CANNABIS PLANT ALSO USES CANNABINOIDS TO PROMOTE ITS OWN HEALTH AND PREVENT DISEASE.
Cannabinoids have antioxidant properties that protect the leaves and flowering structures from ultraviolet radiation ‐ cannabinoids neutralize the harmful free radicals generated by UV rays, protecting the cells.
In humans, free radicals cause aging, cancer, and impaired healing, which can lead to a variety of pathologies, from neurodegenerative too immune disorders.
Antioxidants found in plants have long been promoted as natural supplements to prevent free radical harm. (Here you will find many antioxidant-rich recipes to include in your diet)
SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS
Cannabinoids have also been synthesized, and whilst some remain mainly in the research domain (Usually those with long codes-like letters and numbers), several synthetic analogs of THC or THC+CBD combination are both prescribed for oral or sublingual intake. (We have a guide on these kind of products)
CBD or Raw CBD (+CBDa) are available in many Countries as food supplements due lack of restrictive prescriptions on non-psychoactive compound.
(However, we recommend you to check certification of providers (as we outlined in this article: “The importance of Cannabinoid Analysis”, and if you are unsure get in touch with our team for consulting)
If you are interested to know which Countries approve medical use of these synthetic cannabinoids, and what pathologists have been authorized prescription, I suggest you to check here.
In order to understand whether whole plant or single compound may be better for you, please read here.
This introduction to the Endocannabinoid System has been written thanks to the brilliant yearly review of recent scientific literature of “Emerging clinical applications of cannabis and cannabinoids” by Paul Armentano, Deputy Director of NORML (Check and support their work if you read from the States!), they have a gift for concise and educational summary and I felt it was the best approach (compared to the peer-reviewed publication model I often adopt), in order to introduce the basics of the EC.
All the information is indeed coming from an extensive work of review on the15,899 articles on PubMed related to cannabinoids NORML does yearly, as well as a very interesting speech by Dr William Courtney during the ICRS annual symposium (check out his and his wife’s pioneering work with edible raw cannabis here) and my own understanding from previous years of studies and work on the topic.
You can follow my ongoing project for Crowd-Funded Clinical Trial (www.therawstudy.eu)
https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z-OEpwgv6aM
by HempingtonPost | Mar 9, 2017
If you’re into healthy eating at all, you may already be aware of Hemp super food products. You may also be noticing a greater variety of Hemp food at your health food stores and even in your supermarkets.
By Darlene Mea
With demand there is supply. More and more folks are realizing the super health benefits of eating hemp as a superfood. Why are so many people are now adding this new/old superfood to their daily diet? A big reason, is our body actually loves it and it’s protein packed and high in chlorophyll.
In case your wondering, Hemp is legal and available at your favorite healthy markets; Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Sprouts all carry a wide variety of hemp eatables from Hemp Seeds, to Hemp Burgers, Milk, Coffee, Cereals, Sweet Treats, and even Hemp Wine. Who knew the Hemp plant could produce so many amazing super foods with superb benefits for our body.
Hemp eatables from Hemp Seeds, to Hemp Burgers, Milk, Coffee, Cereals, Sweet Treats, and even Hemp Wine. Who knew the Hemp plant could produce so many amazing super foods with superb benefits for our body.
“Seeds,” hemp is a tiny, cream-colored flat disk comparable to the size of a sesame seed. Its texture is soft and creamy, not hard and crunchy. In my opinion, the taste is akin to that of a peanut or sunflower seed, yet somewhat richer and more complex. I can taste the hint of chlorophyll that dots some of the seeds; it reminds me ever so slightly of the taste I perceive when chewing a mouthful of chlorella tablets. Hemp, however, melts in your mouth. This property lends itself extremely well to blending the seeds to create smooth and creamy sauces, shakes, and soups.
Things You’ll Want To Know
Essential fatty acids are very susceptible to the effects of light, heat, and oxygen (as most plant foods are). This means that any hemp products (or any EFA rich food) should be stored in the refrigerator, in sealed, light-impermeable containers and not heated in any way. Some products recommend refrigeration only after opening. And that is most likely fine, however, shelf life is generally increased when these products are kept cooler. EFAs and proteins change drastically when they are heated and can transform the fats and proteins from being extremely healthful to extremely harmful. Any temperature over the enzyme threshold temperature of 115F will initiate these harmful changes. Here is the lowdown on the most popular forms of hemp available and how to use them:
Popular high-quality brands include: Manitoba Harvest, Living Harvest, Nutiva, Hemp-Seed, and Ruth’s. Because I’m a big believer in consuming the most whole form of a food in order to benefit from the synergistic nutritional effect it has to offer, and to minimize nutritional losses and modifications caused by processing, this form is my favorite and comes most highly recommended.
How To Use Hemp Seed
The best form currently available to us is the hemp seed nut, in its most whole state. Sprinkle them on your salads, eat a handful alone, or blend them into a creamy sauce, smoothie, or soup.
Keep in mind that blending causes rapid nutrient destruction and oxidation, so you won’t get as much from them by blending them as you would eating them whole. You can also make your own hemp milk by blending the seeds with three times as much water as seeds and then straining it (optional). Most people prefer to slightly sweeten their hemp milk by adding a few drops of Stevia or other good sweeteners. Without any sweetener, this milk makes a delicious base for a creamy dressing or soup.
One more bonus of consuming hemp seeds is that they are relatively economical, costing roughly the same price per pound as other popular organic seeds. But also keep in mind that they pack more bang for the buck and in smaller quantities. Adding hemp to your diet is an investment in our health that is well worth making.
Hemp Seeds Contain Complete Protein
They are a highly digestible balance of all 20 known amino acids (both essential and non-essential) and in higher quantities than most other plant sources of protein. Hemp seeds are 33-35% protein. A mere 2 tablespoons of hemp seeds contain approximately 11g of protein!
Hemp seeds have a near perfect ratio of omega-3 (alpha- linolenic) to omega-6 (linoleic) essential fatty acids (EFAs). The ideal ratio is considered to be 4:1 (omega-6: o m e g a — 3); hemp seeds have a ratio of 3.38:1. These fatty acids are required by our body via our food; we cannot synthesize them our-selves, thus the term, “essential.” Most Americans consume far more omega-6 and not nearly enough omega-3; this imbalanced ratio seems to go hand in hand with the common degenerative diseases of today. EFAs have a critical role in growth and development, inflammation response, mood regulation, immune strength, cardiovascular and neurological health, cellular respiration and more. Hemp also contains the fatty acids gamma-linolenic acid (omega-9), stearidonic acid, and oleic acid.
Hemp seeds and oil contain chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is nearly identical in molecular structure to our blood and is thus extremely beneficial to building the blood, nourishing, and detoxifying the body. While the quantity is not nearly as high as the chlorophyll content of other blatantly green foods, like wheat grass or leafy greens, the more we can increase our intake of chlorophyll the better. Chlorophyll’s presence in the hemp nut is another testament to its amazingly balanced nature.
If you haven’t tried Hemp Products, it may be time to taste. Making healthy eating choices is always better for our overall lifestyle and now we have hemp super foods that will get us high on health.
link
