There comes a time when we, as a people, must sit back and take a look around us with eyes wide open. We need to think about how things were in the past, how they are today, what we want our future to look like, and what in the world can we do to get there. We need to finally come to the realization that the government, such as it is today, was NEVER meant to control every aspect of our lives. The government, such as it currently is, was NEVER meant to create and implement “laws” that would ultimately be detrimental to our pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness. And yet, that is exactly what has happened. We need to fully comprehend that every time we “comply” with another of their made-up mandates “for our own good”, we give them the power to step over another boundary line they were NEVER supposed to cross. Sadly, most of the people in government today, were taught this is their job. Most of them aren’t even aware the boundary lines were crossed long ago and think it is their duty to decide what is best for us. They couldn’t be further from the truth.
So, what is it “We the People” can do to take back control of our lives?
Well, first things first. Do Not Comply! Remember, all the “laws” they create for us are actually “unlawful”. I know it can be a scary thing to do and that’s why we need to come together and remind “The Powers that Think They Be” of their place in this society. And second, we need to find ways to make our communities self-sustainable with no interference. Now you know… us, being who we are, believe Hemp is the perfect crop to start with… but first… we must have a full grasp on the essence of sustainability.
Sustainability is a multifaceted term that encompasses social, economic, and environmental aspects. At its core, sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. For a practice or resource to be considered sustainable, these things should be considered:
- Do they have a low ecological impact
- Do they support the local economy
- Do they demonstrate a capacity for renewal without depletion
- Do they promote community well-being
Well, guess what? Hemp does all these things and more!
As we mentioned in many previous articles, industrial hemp and marijuana are from the same cannabis family. The difference being, Hemp does NOT produce concentrated levels of THC, and thus not consumed for recreational purposes. For centuries, Hemp has been used by dozens of different civilizations to produce fabrics and other goods. It has a fibrous material that is similar to jute, which can be transformed into a variety of different products. It also has the natural compounds we know as cannabinoids, which can be used to make oils and other powerful natural health supplements.
Understanding the Sustainability of Hemp
- Returns a High Amount of Nutrients to the Ground
Careless agricultural practices can extract nutrients without allowing the soil to replenish itself and can result in soil degradation. This can threaten the productivity and overall health of our food crops. Hemp is sustainable because it helps return a significant amount of nutrients back into the ground during the retting process. This results in healthier soil that can keep our farmlands healthy for a longer period of time.
Uses Less Water than Traditional Crops
Cotton is used to produce almost one-third of all the textiles in the world. However, like many traditional crops, it requires a significant amount of water for healthy growth. On the other hand, industrial hemp needs less than one-third of the water required by cotton. Ultimately putting less strain on our natural resources.
Produces Higher Yield from the Same Space
Hemp has the ability to grow in many different types of environments and also thrives in small spaces. For example, one acre of hemp can yield up to 8.7 tons under the right conditions. This allows farmers to decrease land usage without compromising their yield or finances. It also restores the soil’s health, which allows food crops to be grown right after the hemp has been harvested.
Naturally Resistant to Pests, Diseases, and Fungus
The use of pesticides, fungicides, and similar chemicals can have a detrimental effect on the environment. Unlike most crops, hemp is extremely resilient and is naturally resistant to pests, fungi, and diseases. This means farmers aren’t forced to use an excessive amount of chemicals, if any, on their crops.
Can Help Stop Deforestation
Some suggest that we are losing upwards of 19 million acres of rain forest every year. A large portion of these rain forests are turned into agricultural land or harvested to make paper. Industrial hemp grows in small spaces, so it can slow down agricultural deforestation. Not only this, but this crop has a higher cellulose concentration than trees, so it can produce sturdier paper without the need to deplete our resources.
Great Resource for Construction Materials, Textiles, and More
Hemp is used in making thousands of various products. While you may be familiar with hemp fabric, the plant can be used to produce soaps, paper, biofuel, and much more. Hemp is also known to be a great source for building materials, such as hempcrete. These materials allow your home’s carbon emissions to be drastically reduced. ·
Hemp Grows Much Faster and Yields a High-Profit Margin
Industrial hemp grows extremely fast. Depending on the breed, some types of hemp are ready within 4 months while trees used in paper production need 10 to 20 years to grow before they are ready for use. Although Hemp has become very popular for different reasons, it remains highly profitable. Some reports suggest that the profit margins more than double staple crops like soy, making it a wise financial choice from all points of view
So, what does all this mean?
The economic impact of Hemp is substantial! Beyond farming, hemp presents opportunities for small-scale producers and local industries, creating a more equitable and resilient economy. It has the ability to empower local communities by providing a staple crop that can be processed close to where it is grown, in turn, bolstering community autonomy. By establishing local hemp processing facilities and value-added product industries, communities can capture more of the economic benefits within their regions. This localization of hemp production and processing not only reduces transportation emissions but also creates jobs and economic opportunities in rural areas where they are often most needed.
Imagine that… All of this from one little plant! Now you can see and fully comprehend WHY Hemp would be such a stable, as well as, a sustainable commodity for not only our future, but future generations to come.
With that being said, in this New Year of 2025 while we do our utmost best to “Make America Great Again”, how about we take our glorious green plant along for the ride and “Make Hemp Great Again” too? After all, our ancestors knew this to be true!
