by Hempington Post | Mar 14, 2019
We were charmed by this quote, which was written by Yitzac Goldstein of Earth Protex, many years ago:
“Before Huang-Ti’s time
clothing was made from skins of birds and animals. But as time went on people increased and animals were few causing great hardship. So Huang-Ti ordained that clothing should be made from hemp fiber. This is how the spiritual leader changed matters for the people’s benefit.” – 6th century A.D. historian Khung Ying-Ta on
The Yellow Emperor, Huang-Ti, 27th century B.C.
I love hemp, maybe just because of the lore associated with the plant – and I don’t mean the lore surrounding the hallucinogenic properties of the plants that are bred for high THC content! So let’s get that part out of the way fast:
Hemp is another word for the plant Cannabis sativa. Yes, marijuana comes from this same plant genus – and so does hops, used to produce beer for millennia. But what we call “industrial hemp” is a different variety (or subspecies), called Cannabis sativa sativa. Marijuana is from Cannabis sativa indica, which is bred to contain between 5 – 10% of the intoxicating substance delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Industrial hemp, Cannabis sativa sativa, contains less than one tenth that amount.
Industrial grade hemp is not marijuana – it doesn’t look the same and if you tried to smoke it you’d probably die of carbon monoxide poisoning before you felt anything but sick. For more about the differences between the two varieties click here or go to the Industrial Hemp website.
Hemp is unique among other crops in that every part of the plant has utility and potential market value. Here are some interesting facts about hemp that contribute to the lore I’m referring to:
- In 1941 Henry Ford built a car with a plastic made from hemp and wheat straw.
- Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp on their plantations; in fact the colonial government mandated that people grow hemp. Settlers used hemp fiber as money and to pay taxes.
- The original Levi Strauss jeans were made from hemp.
- The July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper.
The plant has been used for millennia for food, fibers and fuel. Today it is said that over 30,000 different products can be made from hemp. Hemp’s oilseed makes high-grade food and beauty products. The stalks produce fiber and cellulose. And today, because of its length and strength, hemp fiber is woven into natural advanced composites, which can then be fashioned into anything from fast food containers to skateboard decks to the body of a stealth fighter. There are over two million cars on the road today with hemp composite components.
The plant has been used for millennia for food, fibers and fuel. Today it is said that over 30,000 different products can be made from hemp. Hemp’s oilseed makes high-grade food and beauty products. The stalks produce fiber and cellulose. And today, because of its length and strength, hemp fiber is woven into natural advanced composites, which can then be fashioned into anything from fast food containers to skateboard decks to the body of a stealth fighter. There are over two million cars on the road today with hemp composite components.
But hemp for luxurious fabrics? I remember those macramé plant hangers that were all the rage in the 1970’s. Hemp has a public relations campaign to wage, because when I thought of hemp a few years ago (before my enlightenment) all I could imagine was burlap bag and sisal rugs. Turns out the technical revolution has even found hemp: new developments from the 1980’s in retting and processing the stalks has meant that the hemp fibers produced today are soft and lustrous enough for even the finest fabrics.
Many end users look for comfort and durability in choosing a fabric, so hemp’s softness and high abrasion resistance make it a competitive choice. Hemp fiber’s positive qualities have been recognized over thousands of years of real life applications. The texture of pure hemp textiles resembles that of flax linen, appealing to the eye with its subtle variations in thickness, but it is also versatile and can be blended with other fibers to create many different looks. Hemp’s versatility as a textile is stunning: hemp fibers can be woven alone or with other fibers to produce weaves from rugged canvas to the lightest, silkiest gauze, in an unlimited array of colors and finishes. Hemp has a beautiful natural luster and a lush hand and drape not found with any other natural or synthetic fiber, even linen.
Hemp’s characteristics as a textile make it a desirable choice in many applications:
- Hemp is stronger and more durable than any other natural fabric, including linen, which almost matches hemps abrasion resistance and tensile strength. The result is that hemp has a longer lifespan than other natural fabrics.(Patagonia is just one of the many companies which has published studies which demonstrate hemp’s superior strength; results for these studies range from 3 to 8 times stronger.) Products made from hemp will outlast their competitors by many years.
- Not only is hemp strong, but it also holds its shape, stretching less than any other natural fiber. This prevents hemp fabric used in upholstery, demountable panels, acoustic paneling or as wallcovering from stretching out or becoming distorted with use.
- Hemp fabric withstands, even benefits from, commercial laundering. Its inherent luster and light reflective qualities are enhanced by washing; it becomes finer and more luxurious with use. Hemp also possesses excellent soil-release properties because it sheds a microscopic layer each time it is laundered. This eliminates soiling and exposes a fresh surface. In effect, this means that hemp retains its sleek sheen every time it is washed, that it never dulls, and that it releases stains more easily than other fabrics.
- Hemp may be known for its durability, but its comfort and style are second to none. The more hemp is used, the softer it gets: it wears in, not out, thriving on regular use and machine washing without suffering fabric degradation. Hemp actually becomes softer, more resilient and more lustrous as a result of washing.
- Hemp’s superior absorbency, due to its porous nature, means that it is very breathable and quick drying. Hemp can absorb up to 20% its own weight while still feeling dry to the touch (vs. polyester, which can absorb a maximum of 6%). This is important in the case of any fabric that is in contact with human skin, such as sheets, as perspiration is rapidly absorbed. It feels cooler in summer yet during cool weather, air which is trapped in the fibers is warmed by the body, making it naturally warm.
- Hemp’s absorbency allows it to accept dyes readily and retain color better than other natural fibers, including cotton.
- Hemp has a high resistance to ultraviolet light; it will not fade or disintegrate from sunlight as quickly as other natural fibers. (Tilly Endurables introduced a new hat in 2004 after testing its hemp fabric to a UPF of 50+, the maximum ultraviolet protection rating given.[2]) UV damage is especially a problem for draperies and marine interiors, so hemp would be a good natural fiber choice for these applications.
- Hemp fiber is highly resistant to rotting, and its resistance to mildew, mold and salt water led to its premier use in marine fittings: the majority of all twine, rope, ship’s sails, rigging and nets up to the late 19th century were made from hemp. The word canvas itself is derived from cannabis.
- Finally, any product made of hemp is fully biodegradable and easily recyclable.
Hemp as a crop is also a standout. The bio-regional model of agriculture focuses on obtaining high value for the resources of the local land, recycling the waste and end products ad infinitum and thereby creating a “closed circle” of farming and industry. Hemp is an elegant solution to the crises created by modern agribusiness and conventional cotton production because:
- Hemp grows well without the use of chemicals: usually no pesticides or fungicides are used because it has few serious fungus or pest problems – although the degree of immunity to attacking organisms has been greatly exaggerated. Several insects and fungi specialize exclusively in hemp! But despite this, the use of pesticides and fungicides are usually unnecessary to get a good yield. No herbicides are generally used because dense plantings shade out weeds; no defoliants are needed (as they are with machine harvested cotton) because the dried foliage is not a problem for harvesting.
- Hemp requires less water to thrive than cotton – is actually drought tolerant – and usually grows well without irrigation. Globally, 77% of cotton crops are irrigated.
The most widespread claim for the environmental friendliness of hemp is that it has the potential to save trees that otherwise would be harvested for the production of pulp. If hemp reduces the need to harvest trees for building materials or other products, its use as a wood substitute will tend to contribute to preserving biodiversity. Hemp may also enhance forestry management by responding to short-term fiber demand while trees reach their ideal maturation. In developing countries where fuel wood is becoming increasingly scarce and food security is a concern, the introduction of a dual-purpose crop such as hemp to meet food, shelter, and fuel needs may contribute significantly to preserving biodiversity.
This story originally appeared at O Eco Textiles
by Hempington Post | Mar 9, 2019
Levi Strauss & Co. has created a new line of clothing made with hemp that “feels just like cotton.” Hemp requires far less water and land in the growing phase and has roughly half the carbon footprint of conventionally grown cotton but has not had wide adoption in the apparel industry because of its coarse feel.
Now, however, Levi’s has employed a process developed by fiber technology specialists that softens the hemp, giving it a look and feel that is “almost indistinguishable from cotton,” the company says. The new hemp garments in the Wellthread x Outerknown spring/summer collection include jeans and a trucker jacket. They are made with a 70/30 cotton-to-hemp blend. The hemp, sourced from a rain-fed hemp crop, reduced the water used in fiber cultivation by roughly 30%.
Sustainable clothing company Outerknown developed the treatment for the hemp used in the Wellthread collection. Levi’s says more garments will use the material in coming days.
The new collection also includes single-fiber, nylon board shorts, in which all materials – the fabric, the eyelets, the core, the stitching – are made from nylon and are thus fully recyclable, “thus achieving the closed-loop recyclability that has long eluded apparel companies,” according to Levi’s.
The Levi’s Wellthread Collection, launched in 2015, is created with a waterless dyeing technology, which uses up to 70% less water compared with conventional indigo dying. The Wellthread x Outerknown collection launched last fall. The line includes shirts, jeans, and jackets that use as much recycling as possible, according to the two companies. A quilted trucker jacket, for example, has a multi-colored interior lining made from mechanically recycled cotton. The denim exterior is woven with Tencel x Refibra, a fiber produced with wood sourced from responsibly managed forests and chemically-recycled cotton scraps.
Outerknown, a clothing company marketing surf wear made from eco-friendly raw materials, launched in 2015 around the philosophy of doing things “the right way.” With its tagline of “People and Planet,” the company focuses on creating clothes made sustainably and acknowledges the fact that such clothing necessarily comes at a higher cost. “We’re building a very profitable business off customers that not only will pay more for preferred fibers but will only wear things that use preferred fibers,” Mark Walker, the company’s CEO, told Barrons.
The apparel industry is increasingly being scrutinized for its sustainability (or lack thereof), from raw materials use through manufacturing all the way to retail. Practices that might have been overlooked in the past — using polluting chemicals, trashing garments — have been making headlines and prompting brands to make changes. Companies that seem to be taking sustainability to heart with environmentally responsible initiatives include C&A, The North Face, Timberland and Vans.
Interested in learning more about the business case for sustainable apparel? Join us at the 4th Annual Environmental Leader & Energy Manager Conference, taking place May 13 – 15, 2019, in Denver. Learn more here.
by Hempington Post | Mar 8, 2019
The Brightfield Group has gotten quite a lot of ink lately for their projections that the hemp derived CBD market will outpace the “Rest of the cannabis market COMBINED”.
Forbes too took a look back at 2018 and saw 2019 as another one to break the records, with an article titled: “For Baby Boomers, 2018 Was The Year Of CBD. Get Ready For 2019″ saying: “2018 was the year CBD was on everyone’s lips, thanks to plenty of media buzz and the suddenly-ubiquitous presence of an array of CBD-infused beverages, lotions and self-care products. It was also the year “CBD gummies” reached No. 3 on Google’s most popular search terms. And I’m willing to go out on a limb that a significant portion of those searches were made by Baby Boomers.
With the availability of new hemp strains specially bred for high CBD content, American farmers, processors and many others along the revenue stream are eager to produce and distribute as much of this lucrative substance as the fast-growing market can accommodate. And with CBD sales in the US expected to reach $22 billion by 2022, as projected by the cannabis market research company, the Brightfield Group, Congress’ re-regulation of hemp has presented a good reason for many to celebrate.”
Active Companies from around the market with current developments this week include: MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. (CSE: MYM) (OTC: MYMMF), Terra Tech Corp. (OTC: TRTC), Choom Holdings Inc. (CSE: CHOO) (OTC: CHOOF), InMed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX: IN.) (OTC: IMLFF), CannTrust Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CTST) (TSX: TRST).
Brightfield added: “All of a sudden, CBD is everywhere – it is both a trendy, new ingredient in drinks, face creams and pet treats and an answer to the prayers of so many people suffering from medical conditions ranging from epilepsy to anxiety and chronic pain. It rides the waves of so many global food and health trends, as a substitute for opioids, towards more natural health alternatives and functional ingredients. CBD is the next healthcare phenomenon. It is so effective for so many conditions, is natural, non-psychoactive and has no known serious side effects. It is the next hot, functional ingredient beauty ingredient, like collagen, shea butter or aloe.”
MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. (CSE: MYM) (OTCQB: MYMMF) BREAKING NEWS: MYM Nutraceuticals is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with Elite Ventures Group (“Elite”) to grow 120 acres of CBD-rich hemp in Nevada, USA.
Under the agreement, MYM will fund Elite with $500,000 USD in exchange for the rights to 50% of CBD rich hemp grown on a 120 acre parcel of land in Nevada. In consideration for the investment, Elite will provide all the necessary capital and consumable supplies, plant, grow and harvest the hemp. If requested, Elite will also arrange for the processing and sale of the biomass at no less favourable terms than those found in the Elite supply agreements.
Based on Elite’s previous success in cultivating 120 acres of similarly situated land in August 2018, the estimated production of hemp from the MYM parcel of land is 120,000 pounds per harvest with a CBD level of 10%-19%. This represents potential revenue of over $26 million, of which MYM is entitled to 50% less processing and sales fees.
“We are delighted to have entered into this agreement with Elite Ventures,” said Howard Steinberg, CEO of MYM. “This agreement signals an important step forward in our plan to be a significant cultivator of hemp to satisfy the increasing demand of biomass and CBD worldwide.”
by Hempington Post | Mar 8, 2019
Kris Taylor was accepted into medical school. But instead of becoming a doctor, the Texan moved to California to pursue something he was really passionate about. Hemp.
“I don’t remember what I told them I was going to do, but I definitely remember I didn’t tell them I was going to grow cannabis,” he said.
Taylor, who grew up in Plano, is a cofounder of Lumen, a company that makes farm-to-bottle hemp elixirs using cold-pressed hemp mixed with herbs like ginger and turmeric.
Along with Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, Taylor is among those rooting for state Senate Bill 116, which would allow Texans to grow hemp — an offshoot of marijuana without the high.
“I went and learned about the industry and fell in the love with the plant and its capacity,” Taylor said. “I have family members that have used
cannabinoids for medical treatment for pain and PTSD and all sorts of things.”
» No high with hemp
Hemp is different from marijuana. Though they’re both a form of cannabis, hemp doesn’t contain the psychoactive principle THC found in marijuana, so it can’t get you high. But it’s a versatile crop with seemingly endless possibilities.
“It’s got a really high quality fiber that’s on the stalk. It can be used for everything from auto parts to even some pretty high-tech applications, like a replacement for graphene in superconductors,” said Eric Steenstra. He’s the president of Vote Hemp, a non-profit organization that promotes hemp farming in the U.S.
“And then when it comes to the flowers and the cannabinoids, they have really incredible potential from a health standpoint,” he said. “And the seed — super nutritious as well.”
In 2014, a farm bill passed allowing states to research hemp with the assistance of universities and under close oversight. Now, after the passing of the 2018 farm bill, any state can legally grow hemp as long as the state doesn’t have existing legislation prohibiting it.
Vote Hemp helped draft the federal hemp legislation, and now it’s working with Texas and other states to legalize the crop. A Texas Senate bill with bipartisan support has been filed to do just that.
But Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said he doesn’t know if it’s ready to pass just yet.
“It’s a little bit incomplete, not quite comprehensive enough. I know there’s others working on a more comprehensive bill,” he said.
» Why is hemp illegal?
Today, the only way to farm cannabis in Texas is through the Texas Compassionate Use Program. The program allows patients with intractable epilepsy to be prescribed low-THC cannabis and allows farmers with the correct license to dispense it.
Otherwise, cannabis and its by-products are illegal in Texas, but Commissioner Miller is advocating for that to change.
“It gives us another alternative. Most of the commodities right now are not turning a profit, so this would be something that they could possibly make a profit on,” he said.Daulton O’Neill said hemp could be a huge boom for the Texas economy. He’s the President of Green Light Events in Dallas, a company that hosts events targeted at the cannabis community and lobbies for hemp legalization in Austin.
He plans to grow hemp as soon as legislation is passed and thinks it could be a new cash crop for Texas.
“Not only is it going to be a job creator and economic engine, but it’s going to save farmers and save Texas traditions,” he said.
» The challenges of growing hemp in Texas
But hemp will present some challenges to Texas farmers. For one, hemp is delicate. Farmers who used pesticides or heavy metals in the past on crops like cotton, will need to invest in soil remediation.
O’Neill said there’s also manufacturing to think about, since there aren’t many hemp processing plants in the U.S.
“Hemp is only worth what you can manufacture and process it into,” he said. “If all you have is the plant, you’re going to have to pay a lot of other people off in order to get your product in a highly valuable form.”
Commissioner Miller said it’s not likely hemp legislation will pass in time for spring planting, so O’Neill hopes to plant his first hemp crop this time next year.
Yasir Hashim is another cofounder of Lumen, the California hemp elixir company. He, too, has his eyes on Texas.
“Texas is home for us — it’s where we have family, it’s where we’ve left family,” Hashim said.
And this Texan said he can’t wait for the day he can bring his business back home.
This story originally appeared at www.kut.org
by Hempington Post | Feb 26, 2019
It’s Hollywood’s hottest accessory stepping foot on the red carpet this year, and it is something you can’t even see. Stars like Kristin Bell, Mandy Moore and Tracee Ellis Ross also swear by it.
Lord Jones CBD cream getting high props from stars for curing aching feet cramped in high heels for hours. Co-Founder Cindy Capobianco explains how it works.
“They apply it to their feet about a half an hour before leaving the house. Once they put on their shoes and walk the red carpet, they are pain free for the rest of the night.” CBD oil is now being used in a number of lotions, lip balms and other skin care products.
Several salons in Central Florida now sell it. Another benefit, no side effects, and the products are legal in all 50 states. Sephora is the only major beauty retailer selling the Lord Jones CBD product online. The Lord Jones cream costs around $60 – expensive for a foot cream – but Cindy says the ingredients make it worth every penny.
“Our products, specifically our high CBD lotion and body cream, contain CBD, or cannabidiol, which is one of 100 active compounds in the hemp plant.
And, cannabidiol is associated with many health and wellness benefits, such as anti-inflammatory and analegesic effects. Now, you can add beauty must-haves to the long list of popular CBD-infused products, which include ice cream, pet foods and a foot cream fit for red carpet royalty.
This story first appeared at Fox35Orlando.com
