Hemp: THE NEW SOYBEAN
By Erin Carlyle
A state legislator says letting Minnesota farmers grow industrial hemp --in other words, the non-ingestible variety -- could pad their bottom lines.
Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-West Nicollett Island) has introduced a bill to make industrial hemp legal in Minnesota.
The bill is set for a hearing on Monday.
Industrial hemp looks completely different from the kind grown under the bed, according to Kahn. "The best way you could stop any outdoor growing of the drug cannabis is have everybody growing the hemp cannabis," Kahn says.
The crop can be used to make clothing, fuel, biodegradable plastics, and even concrete.
North Dakota's already done it. North Dakota's Republican Speaker of the House, David Monson, pushed to pass an industrial hemp law in his state.
Monson is a barley farmer who grows crop near the border of Canada. "In a year when barley had been ravaged by disease, he looked across his border and saw his neighbors planting hemp and getting a very high profit compared to what he was getting," Kahn says.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
And They Can Make "Baggies" From It Too!
[ PhysOrg.com ] -- Stanford University researchers have developed a synthetic wood substitute that may one day save trees, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shrink landfills.
The faux lumber is made from a new biodegradable plastic that could be used in a variety of building materials and perhaps replace the petrochemical plastics now used in billions of disposable water bottles. "This is a great opportunity to make products that serve a societal need and respect and protect the natural environment," said lead researcher Sarah Billington, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering.
In 2004, Billington and her colleagues received a two-year Environmental Venture Projects (EVP) grant from Stanford's Woods Institute for the Environment to develop artificial wood that is both durable and recyclable. The research team focused on a new class of construction material called biodegradable composites, or "biocomposites"—glue-like resins reinforced with natural fibers that are made from plants and recyclable polymers.
Billington's group began by testing a number of promising materials. The best turned out to be natural hemp fibers fused with a biodegradable plastic resin called polyhydroxy-butyrate (PHB). "It's quite attractive looking and very strong," said EVP collaborator Craig Criddle, a professor of civil and environmental engineering. "You can mold it, nail it, hammer it, drill it, a lot like wood. But bioplastic PHB can be produced faster than wood, and hemp can be grown faster than trees."
The hemp-PHB biocomposites are stable enough to use in furniture, floors and a variety of other building materials, he added. To degrade, it must be kept away from air—e.g., buried in a landfill—because its decomposition depends on microorganisms that live in anaerobic environments. "The ideal is to have nice, stable material when it's being used," Criddle explained. "But when it's out of use, it goes to a landfill, degrades quickly, and is reprocessed into new material that stays in a nice, stable form."
RECYCLING METHANE
Unlike wood scraps that can sit in landfills for months or years, hemp-PHB biocomposites decompose a few weeks after burial. As they degrade, they release methane gas that can be captured and burned for energy recovery or re-used to make more biocomposites.
"It dawned on us that there are microbes that can make PHB from methane," Criddle said. "So now we're combining two natural processes: We're using microbes that break down PHB plastics and release methane gas, and different organisms that consume methane and produce PHB as a byproduct."
It's the ultimate in recycling, he said: "In our lab, we create conditions where only those organisms that accumulate the most plastic can reproduce. We call the process 'survival of the fattest,' and we have a patent application for it."
"Capturing methane has the added benefit of combating climate change", Criddle said, noting that methane gas from landfills and other sources is a powerful global warming agent, 22 times more potent than carbon dioxide gas.
One reason that biodegradable plastics aren't widely used is cost. "We're competing with polypropylene and polyethylene, two really cheap petrochemical products," Criddle said.
"Most bioplastics are made using sugar from corn and other relatively expensive materials. But our process uses methane in the biogas from landfills and wastewater treatment plants, which is essentially free."
The potential of producing low-cost, recyclable biocomposites has caught the attention of the private sector. In the next few months, the researchers expect to form a new startup company with venture capital funding.
BIODEGRABLE BOTTLES
Interest in the hemp-PHB biocomposites has moved beyond artificial wood products. In 2008, the research team was awarded a three-year, $1.5 million grant from the California Environmental Protection Agency to develop biodegradable plastics to replace the petrochemical plastics that are used to make disposable water and soda bottles.
According to Cal/EPA, plastic bottles accumulate in landfills, the open ocean and coastal areas, causing major problems for birds, mammals and other marine life. "The goal of the state is to protect the environment and promote the development of a new industry that can produce low-cost bioplastics," Criddle said. "We have quite a team of students working on it. We're also collaborating with Curtis Frank, a professor of chemical engineering and a polymer plastics expert."
In 2008, Billington and Frank were awarded a grant from Stanford's Precourt Energy Efficiency Center to develop biodegradable foam for structural insulated panels. They also received new funding from the Woods Institute to explore the feasibility of using Criddle's polymers to manufacture "green glues" that make air quality in buildings less toxic.
Lynn Hildemann, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, is collaborating on that project.
"We started with biocomposites, and now we're doing bioplastics and thinking about things that affect global warming," Criddle said.
"It's really exciting to watch how the research has branched out into so many areas, from biocomposites to new bioplastics, green glues and foam," Billington added. "The opportunity to collaborate with people of different expertise has been wonderful and very invigorating."
[ LINK TO ARTICLE SOURCE ]
The faux lumber is made from a new biodegradable plastic that could be used in a variety of building materials and perhaps replace the petrochemical plastics now used in billions of disposable water bottles. "This is a great opportunity to make products that serve a societal need and respect and protect the natural environment," said lead researcher Sarah Billington, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering.
In 2004, Billington and her colleagues received a two-year Environmental Venture Projects (EVP) grant from Stanford's Woods Institute for the Environment to develop artificial wood that is both durable and recyclable. The research team focused on a new class of construction material called biodegradable composites, or "biocomposites"—glue-like resins reinforced with natural fibers that are made from plants and recyclable polymers.
Billington's group began by testing a number of promising materials. The best turned out to be natural hemp fibers fused with a biodegradable plastic resin called polyhydroxy-butyrate (PHB). "It's quite attractive looking and very strong," said EVP collaborator Craig Criddle, a professor of civil and environmental engineering. "You can mold it, nail it, hammer it, drill it, a lot like wood. But bioplastic PHB can be produced faster than wood, and hemp can be grown faster than trees."
The hemp-PHB biocomposites are stable enough to use in furniture, floors and a variety of other building materials, he added. To degrade, it must be kept away from air—e.g., buried in a landfill—because its decomposition depends on microorganisms that live in anaerobic environments. "The ideal is to have nice, stable material when it's being used," Criddle explained. "But when it's out of use, it goes to a landfill, degrades quickly, and is reprocessed into new material that stays in a nice, stable form."
RECYCLING METHANE
Unlike wood scraps that can sit in landfills for months or years, hemp-PHB biocomposites decompose a few weeks after burial. As they degrade, they release methane gas that can be captured and burned for energy recovery or re-used to make more biocomposites.
"It dawned on us that there are microbes that can make PHB from methane," Criddle said. "So now we're combining two natural processes: We're using microbes that break down PHB plastics and release methane gas, and different organisms that consume methane and produce PHB as a byproduct."
It's the ultimate in recycling, he said: "In our lab, we create conditions where only those organisms that accumulate the most plastic can reproduce. We call the process 'survival of the fattest,' and we have a patent application for it."
"Capturing methane has the added benefit of combating climate change", Criddle said, noting that methane gas from landfills and other sources is a powerful global warming agent, 22 times more potent than carbon dioxide gas.
One reason that biodegradable plastics aren't widely used is cost. "We're competing with polypropylene and polyethylene, two really cheap petrochemical products," Criddle said.
"Most bioplastics are made using sugar from corn and other relatively expensive materials. But our process uses methane in the biogas from landfills and wastewater treatment plants, which is essentially free."
The potential of producing low-cost, recyclable biocomposites has caught the attention of the private sector. In the next few months, the researchers expect to form a new startup company with venture capital funding.
BIODEGRABLE BOTTLES
Interest in the hemp-PHB biocomposites has moved beyond artificial wood products. In 2008, the research team was awarded a three-year, $1.5 million grant from the California Environmental Protection Agency to develop biodegradable plastics to replace the petrochemical plastics that are used to make disposable water and soda bottles.
According to Cal/EPA, plastic bottles accumulate in landfills, the open ocean and coastal areas, causing major problems for birds, mammals and other marine life. "The goal of the state is to protect the environment and promote the development of a new industry that can produce low-cost bioplastics," Criddle said. "We have quite a team of students working on it. We're also collaborating with Curtis Frank, a professor of chemical engineering and a polymer plastics expert."
In 2008, Billington and Frank were awarded a grant from Stanford's Precourt Energy Efficiency Center to develop biodegradable foam for structural insulated panels. They also received new funding from the Woods Institute to explore the feasibility of using Criddle's polymers to manufacture "green glues" that make air quality in buildings less toxic.
Lynn Hildemann, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, is collaborating on that project.
"We started with biocomposites, and now we're doing bioplastics and thinking about things that affect global warming," Criddle said.
"It's really exciting to watch how the research has branched out into so many areas, from biocomposites to new bioplastics, green glues and foam," Billington added. "The opportunity to collaborate with people of different expertise has been wonderful and very invigorating."
[ LINK TO ARTICLE SOURCE ]
Canada Nipping Hemp Growing Issues In The Bud
Lots of interest in Northumberland County from farmers in a Stirling-area man’s proposed industrial hemp-growing project.
Stonehedge Bio Resources president John Baker told farmers gathered in Centreton the proposal connects agriculture directly to manufacturing, and 60 of them signed up to get more information and to indicate how many acres they might put into production this spring.
It will be about two weeks before it’s known whether key financing will be in place to issue the contract commitments to farmers for this growing season.
Baker expects to build a 20-million-dollar manufacturing facility between Port Hope and Belleville, but more private funding is needed.
[ more about this ]
Links of Interest Related to Article:
Stonehedge Bio Resources Inc.
Health Canada
Hempcrete
Mix97
Stonehedge Bio Resources president John Baker told farmers gathered in Centreton the proposal connects agriculture directly to manufacturing, and 60 of them signed up to get more information and to indicate how many acres they might put into production this spring.
It will be about two weeks before it’s known whether key financing will be in place to issue the contract commitments to farmers for this growing season.
Baker expects to build a 20-million-dollar manufacturing facility between Port Hope and Belleville, but more private funding is needed.
[ more about this ]
Links of Interest Related to Article:
Stonehedge Bio Resources Inc.
Health Canada
Hempcrete
Mix97
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Reasons To Support: Industrial Hemp Development Act (HF 608)
A bipartisan group of Minnesota lawmakers is putting forth legislation to legalize the growth of cannabis, or hemp.
The Industrial Hemp Development Act (HF 608)
Would provide licenses to qualified farmers for the cultivation of hemp, after passing background checks, of course. Iowa lawmakers must pay close attention to the progress of Minnesota’s hemp act; its success or failure may signal how a similar act would fair here. Regardless of the reaction of our neighbors to the north, hemp production will dramatically change the face of agriculture in America, and Iowans need to be out ahead of this increasingly popular trend.
Seven states — Hawaii, West Virginia, Maine, Maryland, Montana, Kentucky, and North Dakota — have legalized hemp production; however, not one is producing the crop because of resistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Hemp farmers in North Dakota are granted licenses by the state, but they are required to obtain separate permits from the DEA. The agency has continually refused to accept applications, leading farmers in North Dakota to file a lawsuit against the federal government.
A common complaint among law-enforcement agencies at all levels of government is that monitoring acres of hemp for hidden pockets of marijuana would be next to impossible. This idea is, in fact, very reasonable, because hemp and marijuana are members of the same species, cannabis.
However, centuries of breeding have elicited distinctly different characteristics in the two plants. Marijuana contains much higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive agent, which induces a “high.”
Hemp, on the other hand, has such minuscule amounts of THC that it is unable to produce the same high. In fact, hemp contains another chemical, cannabidiol, which is increasingly used as an antipsychotic.
Despite the plants’ botanical distinctions, their visual similarities are at the root of the problem. Interestingly enough, Minnesota researchers have developed a way to overcome the issues raised by law enforcement.
George Weiblen, a University of Minnesota associate professor of plant biology, has established a method of DNA testing that is able to differentiate hemp from its doppelgänger. Using a DNA technique known as amplified fragment length polymorphism, Weiblen and a colleague are the first to undeniably distinguish hemp plants from marijuana plants.
So, if there is a way to discriminate between the two plants, what benefits could be harvested from the production of industrial hemp? Hemp is an industrial crop in every industrialized nation except the United States.
Naturally, the U.S. imports more hemp and hemp products than any other industrialized nation. By growing the crop here, we could reap the reward of hemp’s increasing popularity. The herb has been touted as a wonder plant for many reasons. Nearly every part of the plant is usable.
Hemp can be used to produce paper, food, clothing, plastics, and even low-carbon concrete.
The advantages of hemp as a commercial crop have special significance for Iowans. While soybeans are composed of greater levels of actual protein, hemp seeds contain more digestible protein. Furthermore, because of its fast-growing nature, hemp crops produce more energy per acre of biodiesel or ethanol fuel than corn or any other food crop, and it is able to do so at a much lower cost and with noticeably less damage to the soil. Hemp is a hearty plant and can grow on all types of soil.
By growing hemp, it could be possible to use damaged, exhausted, or marginal soil, thus reclaiming unused or abandoned land.
Because industrial hemp production could compete with Iowa’s two largest crops, it only makes sense to be out in front of the trend, leading the way, rather risking the consequences of watching that market develop without us.
Industrial hemp would do much to facilitate the nation’s growing desire for all things “green”; an acre of hemp produces as much paper as four acres of trees.
Europeans are perfecting a biodegradable plastic made entirely of hemp, and hemp seeds are an impressive source of protein as well as essential amino acids.
Environmental benefits aside, the economic advantages of producing hemp in Iowa are certainly worth considering.
[ link and credit to author and source ]
The Industrial Hemp Development Act (HF 608)
Would provide licenses to qualified farmers for the cultivation of hemp, after passing background checks, of course. Iowa lawmakers must pay close attention to the progress of Minnesota’s hemp act; its success or failure may signal how a similar act would fair here. Regardless of the reaction of our neighbors to the north, hemp production will dramatically change the face of agriculture in America, and Iowans need to be out ahead of this increasingly popular trend.
Seven states — Hawaii, West Virginia, Maine, Maryland, Montana, Kentucky, and North Dakota — have legalized hemp production; however, not one is producing the crop because of resistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Hemp farmers in North Dakota are granted licenses by the state, but they are required to obtain separate permits from the DEA. The agency has continually refused to accept applications, leading farmers in North Dakota to file a lawsuit against the federal government.
A common complaint among law-enforcement agencies at all levels of government is that monitoring acres of hemp for hidden pockets of marijuana would be next to impossible. This idea is, in fact, very reasonable, because hemp and marijuana are members of the same species, cannabis.
However, centuries of breeding have elicited distinctly different characteristics in the two plants. Marijuana contains much higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive agent, which induces a “high.”
Hemp, on the other hand, has such minuscule amounts of THC that it is unable to produce the same high. In fact, hemp contains another chemical, cannabidiol, which is increasingly used as an antipsychotic.
Despite the plants’ botanical distinctions, their visual similarities are at the root of the problem. Interestingly enough, Minnesota researchers have developed a way to overcome the issues raised by law enforcement.
George Weiblen, a University of Minnesota associate professor of plant biology, has established a method of DNA testing that is able to differentiate hemp from its doppelgänger. Using a DNA technique known as amplified fragment length polymorphism, Weiblen and a colleague are the first to undeniably distinguish hemp plants from marijuana plants.
So, if there is a way to discriminate between the two plants, what benefits could be harvested from the production of industrial hemp? Hemp is an industrial crop in every industrialized nation except the United States.
Naturally, the U.S. imports more hemp and hemp products than any other industrialized nation. By growing the crop here, we could reap the reward of hemp’s increasing popularity. The herb has been touted as a wonder plant for many reasons. Nearly every part of the plant is usable.
Hemp can be used to produce paper, food, clothing, plastics, and even low-carbon concrete.
The advantages of hemp as a commercial crop have special significance for Iowans. While soybeans are composed of greater levels of actual protein, hemp seeds contain more digestible protein. Furthermore, because of its fast-growing nature, hemp crops produce more energy per acre of biodiesel or ethanol fuel than corn or any other food crop, and it is able to do so at a much lower cost and with noticeably less damage to the soil. Hemp is a hearty plant and can grow on all types of soil.
By growing hemp, it could be possible to use damaged, exhausted, or marginal soil, thus reclaiming unused or abandoned land.
Because industrial hemp production could compete with Iowa’s two largest crops, it only makes sense to be out in front of the trend, leading the way, rather risking the consequences of watching that market develop without us.
Industrial hemp would do much to facilitate the nation’s growing desire for all things “green”; an acre of hemp produces as much paper as four acres of trees.
Europeans are perfecting a biodegradable plastic made entirely of hemp, and hemp seeds are an impressive source of protein as well as essential amino acids.
Environmental benefits aside, the economic advantages of producing hemp in Iowa are certainly worth considering.
[ link and credit to author and source ]
Hemp Seed Nutrition: A Dairy Alternative
Although most vegetarians are relatively healthy, a nutritionally balanced and protein rich diet may be deficient for some. Enzymes and amino acids, found in meat and dairy products are essential and aren't naturally produced by the body.
Hemp seeds are a complete, digestible, plant-based protein source containing all ten essential amino acids. Unlike soy, hemp does not contain enzyme inhibitors and phytates, so the nutrients in hemp can be easily absorbed by the body. Free of the allergy causing components found in soy, dairy or tree0nuts, hemp is an ideal protein alternative.
IS HEMP THE SAME AS MARIJUANA?
No. Hemp and marijuana are similarly distant cousins within the species of Cannabis Sativa L. Hemp is grown for food and fiber and contains only trace amounts of the psychoactive component of marijuana. You will not fail a drug test by eating hemp foods. They are legal, safe and healthy to consume!
Hemp seeds are the edible part of the Cannabis Sativa L plant. They are a tiny fruit-like nut covered by a hard shell. They have been cultivated as a food for centuries in China, Europe and Africa.
Shelled hemp seeds (hemp nuts) are similar in size to sesame seeds and can be eaten right out of the bag, sprinkled on salads, yogurt or baked in muffins and breads! Yum!
CONTAINS OMEGA-3 AND OMEGA-6
Hemp seeds are a good source of unsaturated fats containing a balanced 1:3 ratio of Omega-3 and 6 essential fatty acids (EFAs) -- the "good fats" that our body needs for the skin health, energy production, nervous system function, brain development, heart health and immune system support.
Compared to other milk alternatives, Living Harvest Hempmilk offers the highest source of Omega-3 and 6 EFAs.
Rich and creamy, with a light, nutty flavor, Living Harvest Hempmilk is made from shelled hemp seeds grown sustainably on Canadian farms, without the use of pesticides and herbicides.
It is free of allergy causing components found in soy, dairy and tree-nuts among the top 8 allergens, according to the FDA. Living Harvest Hempmilk is available in original, vanilla and chocolate and is perfect for fruit smoothies.
For recipes, and to learn more about hemp seed nutrition, visit www.LivingHarvest.com.
[ link and credit to article author ]
Hemp seeds are a complete, digestible, plant-based protein source containing all ten essential amino acids. Unlike soy, hemp does not contain enzyme inhibitors and phytates, so the nutrients in hemp can be easily absorbed by the body. Free of the allergy causing components found in soy, dairy or tree0nuts, hemp is an ideal protein alternative.
IS HEMP THE SAME AS MARIJUANA?
No. Hemp and marijuana are similarly distant cousins within the species of Cannabis Sativa L. Hemp is grown for food and fiber and contains only trace amounts of the psychoactive component of marijuana. You will not fail a drug test by eating hemp foods. They are legal, safe and healthy to consume!
Hemp seeds are the edible part of the Cannabis Sativa L plant. They are a tiny fruit-like nut covered by a hard shell. They have been cultivated as a food for centuries in China, Europe and Africa.
Shelled hemp seeds (hemp nuts) are similar in size to sesame seeds and can be eaten right out of the bag, sprinkled on salads, yogurt or baked in muffins and breads! Yum!
CONTAINS OMEGA-3 AND OMEGA-6
Hemp seeds are a good source of unsaturated fats containing a balanced 1:3 ratio of Omega-3 and 6 essential fatty acids (EFAs) -- the "good fats" that our body needs for the skin health, energy production, nervous system function, brain development, heart health and immune system support.
Compared to other milk alternatives, Living Harvest Hempmilk offers the highest source of Omega-3 and 6 EFAs.
Rich and creamy, with a light, nutty flavor, Living Harvest Hempmilk is made from shelled hemp seeds grown sustainably on Canadian farms, without the use of pesticides and herbicides.
It is free of allergy causing components found in soy, dairy and tree-nuts among the top 8 allergens, according to the FDA. Living Harvest Hempmilk is available in original, vanilla and chocolate and is perfect for fruit smoothies.
For recipes, and to learn more about hemp seed nutrition, visit www.LivingHarvest.com.
[ link and credit to article author ]
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