There are several categories that this discussion could fit into because the whole subject of growing marijuana has such a large spectrum of influence. Growing hemp was a good industry at one time, and hemp can be used for many products besides just the hemp ropes that most of us remember from childhood. Since it grows fast, it can be used for making paper, and other products which we now use regular wood for. If you read the history of growing hemp, it was apparently not unusual to find it just growing wild along the roadside in the areas where it has previously been a commercial crop. Besides the uses for hemp commercially, it is also showing good possibility as medicine, which is why it is now legalized for use in some states, and more places will probably allow it as time goes by. There are many different types of marijuana (hemp)plants, and different varieties have been developed for different purposes, so not all of the varieties are used for smoking and getting high, as we have pretty much been told is the main use for this plant. The people who use it therapeutically say that the best part is the fresh green leaves, which are picked fresh and used in a green smoothie for the best effect. When it is smoked recreationally, it still retains some of the healing properties; but has no where nearly as many of the important enzymes as the fresh leaves have. Overall, I think that it would be a good industry to allow, and would not use up our valuable wood resources unnecessarily. I also think that if it were legal to grow and use medicinally, then I would try growing some and putting it in a smoothie for the health benefits. http://www.blacklistednews.com/Virg...Nullifying_Federal_Law/48531/0/38/38/Y/M.html
Just read, "The existence of THC in hemp is significant b/c THC, like marijuana, is a Schedule 1 controlled substance. Federal law prohibits human consumption and possession (growing) of a Schedule 1 controlled substance. It's not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for medical use." However, there are some states (Kentucky, Colorado and Vermont that do plant small research crops......as of an article in 2014. As of 2015, other states, including Tennessee and Oregon, are joining in on the "research crops", thru passed legislation. But, will it ever be legal for private parties to grow hemp, someday perhaps.
It is a very interesting plant, @Chrissy Page ! I have seen health food drinks made with hemp seed, and I know that hemp rope has been used for many many years. I was just watching a video produced by our government in 1942, encouraging American farmers to grow more hemp. It shows the whole process of how it was grown and manufactured into products like rope and sails for ships. One thing that surprised me was that the word "canvas" actually is derived from the word "cannabis". Since all of our canvas products are made with hemp, this made perfect sense once I heard it; but I had never before considered the similarity of the sound of the two words. What is interesting , is that while the government was encouraging farmers to grow hemp for canvas and rope, it was not long after that the government was also putting out films describing the dangers of using cannabis to get high, and how it could ruin lives and surely lead children into becoming terrible drug addicts. Here is the film that came out during the war years that shows farmers growing and harvesting hemp. It is pretty interesting to watch.
I thought that the amount of THC in Hemp is not significant enough. I think Kind Bars have hemp seed in them, don't they? I've eaten those and have never gotten high. In fact there's a bunch here in my daughter's pantry that the boys eat.
Just posted what I read/it stated. But, then again, if I needed the stuff, like marijuana, for health issues.......I would have a "change of mind" about the entire thing.
That is it exactly, @Shirley Martin ! It not only depends on the variety of the hemp plant; but what parts are used, and how it is used that determines what it is good for. Since the hemp plant itself has many useful applications, and the variety that is grown for industrial purposes is totally different from species that have been developed for their use as a recreational drug, then it makes sense to me that the development of this plant should be allowed. From what I have read, most parts of the hemp plant can be utilized for something beneficial. The seeds are not only a good source of protein, but the oil can also be used. The leaves have many health benefits, and can be consumed in a salad, or as a green smoothie type of drink for their healing properties. These parts of the plant do not make people high, and they are nutritious as well. From what I have read, it is the bud of the flower that has the THC in it, and the plants that are grown for that have been developed from special cultivation to produce this effect. So, if hemp plants which are not specially developed for the drug use are grown, and used for other purposes, then it would help save trees, and also help the land where it is grown, since it is supposed to be beneficial to the soil when you grow hemp.
I see no problems with growing hemp then anywhere. As long as it's not being used to get high, all the uses are positive. I don't even have problems with adults getting high, not my problem. Just like I don't care who drinks as long as they stay off the roads.
But people who drink don't stay off the roads and people who get high on marijuana don't stay off the roads either.
I know that but it's pretty much the same argument with guns. If only people that had them didn't go crazy and shoot someone. I'm thinking of a perfect world and people are normal like I am and be RESPONSIBLE. Also, I've heard of many drunk drivers but really not too many accidents caused by someone smoking pot. I'm not advocating anything that causes harm to someone else and I don't drink and I don't smoke pot, just stated I don't care what responsible adults do.
I'm all for it; industrial, medical and recreational. It should be banned to minors. I know it won't stop them, but as an intoxicant (if that's the right word) I think it's safer than booze.
This reminds me of a family friend's son who planted marijuana on the patio of their second floor - it was actually a roof deck. Covered by other ornamental plants on pots, the marijuana seems not visible even with the use of binoculars. It was a good thing that the father discovered it before someone else found it. What if the cops came and raided their home? That would be a disaster because planting marijuana would get you a life term in jail.
That sounds a severe sentence for one plant @Corie Henson ............... it's ok to import marijuana seeds in the UK as long as you don't germinate them I bought some on the internet from a Dutch seed catalogue some 15 years ago and grew a few plants amongst the other shrubs in the garden. They grew really well, but as I mentioned on another thread, I don't get any effect from cannabis despite making cannabutter and using it in various cooking dishes.