The complete guide to the commercial, medicinal and pyschotropic.

Hemp, Cannabis sativa, has been called the world's most versatile plant. Materials made from hemp fiber have been discovered in tombs dating back to 7000 B.C. During the Middle Ages hemp was used to treat fevers, insomnia, and malaria. Columbus's ships had sails of hemp, and during colonial times it was universally grown because its strong fibers made superior ropes, sails, cloth, and paper. In fact, hemp was used for money in most of the Americas from 1631 until the early 1800s, and the original drafts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written on hemp paper. As a food, the oil from hemp seeds has the highest percentage of essential fatty acids and the lowest percentage of saturated fats. Britain and Canada have recently lifted bans on growing industrial hemp and today it is reappearing in the marketplace in an amazing array of products: from lip-salve, jeans, salad oil, and cheese to paper products, composite fiberboard, and biomass fuel. This illustrated, easy-to-read guide covers all aspects of hemp: • The history of its cultivation worldwide • Its role as a source of renewable energy and as an alternative for paper manufacturing and fossil fuels • Its versatility as a fiber • Its many nutritional and medicinal uses • Examines the physiological and psychological effects of marijuana use in recreation and therapy • A comprehensive resource section includes information on organizations involved in legalizing hemp, product suppliers, and an annotated bibliography.

Hemp is the world's most versatile fibre. Roulac traces its historical usage and examines its future. B/W illlustrations.

Hemp production for industrial purposes continues to grow worldwide, and is currently being used for many applications including house insulation, paper making, animal bedding, fabric, rope making and also as a biofuel. This book brings together international experts to examine all aspects of industrial hemp production, including the origins of hemp production, as well as the botany and anatomy, genetics and breeding, quality assessment, regulations, and the agricultural and industrial economics of hemp production. A translation of Le Chanvre Industriel, this book has been revised and updated for an international audience and is essential reading for producers of industrial hemp, industry personnel and agriculture researchers and students.

A comprehensive practical manual for professionals and self-builders, this innovative book explains the many benefits of building with hempcrete. Hempcrete is a building material with excellent, environmentally friendly properties. It's made from lime and hemp shivs (a waste product from hemp fibre growing) and can be used for walks, floor and roof insulation. Hempcrete is breathable, absorbing and emitting moisture; this helps regulate internal humidity, avoiding trapped moisture and mould growth, and creating healthier buildings. It provides excellent acoustic and thermal insulation, and it is lightweight, which reduces construction costs. Whether you're working on a new build or are planning a renovation, The Hempcrete Book tells you everything you need to know to get started with hempcrete. It describes how to source and mix it, and provides a detailed account of construction techniques, highlighting potential pitfalls and how to avoid them. With fully illustrated design notes and examples of completed builds, this book is a powerful tool for any eco-builder.

A look at major events in U.S. and world history as they influenced, and as they may have been influenced by, the cultivation and use of hemp.

Looks at the economic, environmental, and practical potential that the hemp plant offers, looking at how its renewed cultivation could stand to benefit the country.