Natural Environment Blog

More than 200 local farmers have expressed interest in growing Industrial hemp, which has now been legalized in the NSW state of Australia. Photo: Hendrike

While the United States still struggles with the idea of growing industrial hemp, Australia is pushing ahead with the environmentally friendly “super fiber”.

The New South Wales (NSW) state government has now passed a law that allows farmers to grow industrial hemp. The government had agreed to introduce the new legislation back in April this year.

The state government has already been inundated with farmers wanting to grow industrial hemp. 

“Already we’ve had over 200 farmers express interest in growing hemp across the state,” said Ian Macdonald, Primary Industries Minister.

Enormous Potential

Industrial hemp has long been known for its enormous versatility, and Mr Macdonald envisages a promising future for the crop. 

“It could become quite a significant crop in a very short period of time, particularly as various companies utilise the products of it for that broad range of products that can be created using industrial hemp as a base.” said Mr Macdonald.

But Barry Dugan, a hemp advocate, is concerned about the scarcity of hemp processing facilities.

“There’s not much point growing the stuff if there’s nowhere to have it treated,’’ he said.

“According to my research, a huge amount of energy and water is required to get all the good things out of hemp.” he continued.

Hemp vs Marijuana

One thing that had concerned the government was the potential for farmers to use their hemp plantations as a way of hiding (illegal) marijuana plants, which look very similar to hemp plants.  

But Mr Macdonald says that measures have now been put in place to prevent hemp crops from camouflaging marijuana crops.

5 Year Licences

The licences are renewable for 5 years under the new legislation.

“The licensing scheme is authorised by our Act of Parliament,” said Mr Macdonald.

“It’ll require farmers who wish to grow industrial hemp to register to get a licence.” he explained.

“That’ll mean that their properties will be then audited and inspected regularly to ensure compliance with the Act.”

The Hemp Industry Act 2008

The act that Mr Macdonald is referring to is the Hemp industry Act 2008, which allows a person to cultivate or supply low-THC hemp for any one or more of the following purposes:

• for commercial production
• for use in any manufacturing process
• for scientific research, instruction, analysis or study
• for any other purpose prescribed by the regulations

Further, the act explicitly states that “The possession of low-THC hemp is not an offence under the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 if it is cultivated or supplied under the authority of this Act”.

Two North Dakota farmers fighting for the right to grow industrial hemp, have had their case heard in the United States court of appeals. 

The farmers sued the DEA in June last year because it was preventing them from planting hemp, despite the fact that they had received state licences to grow the plant. 

Although the state of North Dakota has granted the farmers with licences to grow hemp, the federal law claims that industrial hemp is a drug and therefore prohibits them from doing so.

Initial Ruling

The U.S. District Court of North Dakota had initially dismissed the farmers’ case in June 2007, ruling that that hemp and marijuana are the same.

Contrary to this ruling, scientific evidence actually shows that not only are oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis genetically distinct from drug varieties, but there are absolutely no psychoactive effects gained from eating it.

Wednesday’s Hearing

The farmers, represented by attorneys Joe Sandler and Tim Purdon, argued to the court that there is no possibility the hemp crop could be diverted into the market for drugs.

“Given North Dakota’s unique regulatory regime, nothing leaves the farmer’s property except those parts of the plant Congress has already decided should be exempt from regulation: hemp stalk, fiber seed and oil. The question is whether there is any rational basis for Congressional regulation of the plant itself growing on the farmer’s property. The answer is no — because industrial hemp is useless as drug marijuana and there’s no danger of diversion, so there’s no possible impact on the market for drug marijuana.” Mr Sandler argued to the court.

The government argued that the plaintiffs should apply to the DEA for permission to grow hemp and that the court didn’t have jurisdiction over the issues raised by the farmers.

Melissa Patterson, representative for the Justice Department, said “The plaintiffs should await the DEA’s decision on their application,”

In response, Judge Michael Milloy asked, “Isn’t it true the DEA will not rule on the farmer’s applications to grow hemp, you’ve had eleven months?”

Ms. Patterson answered, “The DEA has not replied out of respect to the pending proceedings.”

In response to the jurisdictional objections made by the DEA, Judge Lavenski Smith said, “When there is a legitimate constitutional issue brought before us we can hear the case.”

The court is expected to make a written decision next year.

Benefits of Hemp

Hemp is an environmentally friendly fiber, often referred to as a “super fiber” due to it’s enormous versatility.

Two North Dakota farmers fighting for hemp legalization will continue their fight in the federal appeals court on Wednesday. 

The farmers, who renewed their annual hemp licences almost a year ago, are still not legally allowed to grow hemp because of the federal law.

The lawsuit, which has been funded by Vote Hemp, has cost approximately $100,000 since it began in June last year. 

State Law Says “Yes”, Federal Law Says “No”

Although the state of North Dakota, recognizing the difference between hemp and marijuana, has allowed the farmers to grow industrial hemp, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has a different view.

“The level of THC in the plant doesn’t matter. If there’s any THC in the plant, it’s illegal,” DEA spokesman Garrison Courtney says, referring to the farmers’ argument that industrial hemp contains extremely low levels of THC, and therefore shouldn’t be classified as a drug.

“To get those pieces of stalk that are legal, you have to grow a marijuana plant.”

Case Initially Dismissed

The case was initially dismissed by U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland in Bismarck, N.D in November last year.    

The farmers’ lawyer, Tim Purdon says that they appealed that ruling, hoping for a new ruling that hemp “is not subject to regulation by the DEA and that our farmers aren’t going to be charged with a crime.”

He also says that the district judge should not have dismissed the case without hearing evidence about the differences between hemp and marijuana, adds Washington lawyer Joe Sandler, who will argue the farmers’ case before the appeals court.

To learn more about this case, and to view all court documents, view the North Dakota Case section of the Vote Hemp website.

When I wrote about Henry Ford’s hemp car, I knew it was only a matter of time before I’d be writing about another car made from hemp.

Lotus has announced its latest eco-friendly car - made from hemp. OK, the whole car isn’t made from hemp but hemp has played a large role in it’s construction.

Lotus will unveil the Eco Elise at the British International Motor Show later this month.

With the Eco Elise, Lotus is aiming for a car that’s different to most “green” cars. While most of today’s green cars are being measured by how little gas they consume, the Eco Elise goes much further than this.

In fact, the Eco Elise project focuses on the following areas:

• Sustainable materials - using materials such as hemp, sisal, and biodegradable woolen fabrics.
• Cleaner manufacturing processes - by using a totally water-based paint system.
• Renewable energy generation - through the use of two solar panels on the hemp hard top.
• Reducing carbon miles - by using locally grown hemp fibers, as well as recycled packaging.
• Efficient driving techniques - by assisting the driver in driving more economically. A green light informs the driver the most optimal time to change gears for best economic performance.
• Weight reduction - a lighter car means a more economical car. The Eco Elise is 32 kilograms lighter than the (already lightweight) Elise S.

According to the Lotus press release:

The new green materials sourced for this car have been carefully studied to ensure that each technology used reduces the environmental impact of the vehicle. The life of the components has been analysed; during the production stage, in-use and at the end of the vehicle’s life. The technology used aims to offer lower emissions of both solvents and CO2 in the lifecycle of the vehicle, with reductions in energy consumed during manufacture.

Another great environmental achievement for Lotus is that their manufacturing plant has become more eco-friendly. In 2007, Lotus used 14% less electricity, 30% less gas, and 11% less water than it did in 2006. Lotus also recycle 57% of its waste product.

If you’re building or renovating, check out the new “Juicy Jute” wallcoverings by Architectural Textiles Ltd.

In fact, two new wallcoverings are available this year: Juicy Jute and Java Cork.

As well as the new wallcoverings, there are also wallcoverings made from hemp, silk, bamboo, raffia, and more.

The website allows you to view and order samples of different colors of each wallcovering.

As well as the environmental benefits of using materials like jute and hemp, these wallcoverings look very stylish too.

A bill has finally passed through the senate in Vermont that would allow hemp to be grown in the state.

The bill has been hanging around in one form or another for many years now. And the current version has taken three years to get it to it’s current state.

Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee commented:

My concern with the bill is that it basically requires the federal government to agree with it, and the federal government is not going to agree with it, I don’t want our farmers having drug busters coming in from the feds and making an example. That’s been my concern about this all along. I understand the support for it, but we are still part of the United States. We’re sworn to uphold the Constitution.

After receiving over 150 letters and calls urging him to support the bill, Sen. Sears said he decided to move the bill through his committee after making an amendment to satisfy the above concern. This amendment requires the federal government to change the definition of marijuana. By doing so, there would be a clear distinction between hemp and marijuana.

Source: BenningtonBanner.com

When shopping for clothes, many people shop based on things like comfort or style, but not many people check for clothing’s eco-friendliness.

More and more clothing companies are providing clothes made from eco-friendly fabrics. Demand for these clothes is increasing too. This makes sense given the environmental issues we’re faced with in today’s world.

What Makes a Fabric “Eco-Friendly”?

Eco-friendly fabrics generally have the following characteristics:

• Minimum use of chemicals and pesticides
• Best land manangement practices
• Sustainable farming practices
• Eco-friendly certification (i.e. EU-Eco label certification)
• Animal friendly
• Production adheres to fair trade practices

By purchasing organic, you can be sure that the product was produced without the use of harsh chemicals and pesticides, and is not only healthy for the environment but is also healthy for you.

The Fabrics

Here’s a list of eco-friendly fibers to look out for. Next time you’re shopping for clothes, look out for clothes that are made from the following fibers (or other eco-friendly fibers):

1. Hemp - An amazing natural fiber. Some say hemp could have 25,000 uses. Hemp provides enormous benefit to the natural environment. This is true when used in products and when growing the hemp plant.
2. Jute - Similar to hemp, jute is a type of vegetable fiber used for thousands of years, with outstanding potential for the future.
3. Ingeo - Trademark for a man-made fiber derived from corn.
4. Calico - Fabric made from unbleached cotton. Also referred to as muslin.
5. Hessian Cloth - Coarse woven fabric made from jute or hemp.
6. Organic cotton - Cotton grown organically (without pesticides etc)
7. Recycled Polyester - Polyester created from used polyester garments.
8. Bamboo Fiber - Bamboo fabric is very comfortable and 100% biodegradable.
9. Tencel^® - Brand name for a biodegradable fabric made from wood pulp cellulose.
10. Ramie - Ramie fibers are one of the strongest natural fibers. Ramie can be up to 8 times stronger than cotton, and is even stronger when wet.
11. Organic Wool - Organic wool is wool that has been produced in a way that is less harmful to the environment than non-organic wool.
12. Organic Linen - Linen that is made from flax fiber. Could also refer to be linen made from other organically grown plant fibers.
13. FORTREL EcoSpun - Fiber made from plastic containers
14. Milk Silk - Silk made from milk
15. Soy Silk - Silk made from soybeans
16. Nettle fiber - Made from stinging nettle (commonly known as a weed)
17. Spider-web fabric - Fabric made from spider webs. Still in the experimental stages.

Eco-Friendly Finishes and Dyes

As well as the fabric used to make clothes, many clothes are dyed and/or have laminate finishes etc. Here are some eco friendly options:

• Biodegradable TPU Laminate - Solvent free TPU that can biodegrade in as little as 4 years.
• NanoSphere^® Textile Finish - Self cleaning textile finish for clothing and other textiles.
• Non-Toxic Dyes - These can be better for your health as well as the environment.

The New South Wales (NSW) government of Australia has agreed to introduce new legislation to make industrial hemp cultivation legal.

After decades of opposition to hemp, the NSW government is finally recognizing the benefits that hemp can bring. As well as reaping the great environmental benefits of hemp, the government expects that this will pave the way for a new and viable industry.

Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, says:

Industrial hemp fibre produced here in NSW could pave the way for the establishment of a new viable industry that creates and sells textiles, cloth and building products made from locally grown industrial hemp

Although hemp cultivation has been illegal in NSW until now, trials have been carried out in the west of the state. These have yielded 10 to 12 tonnes of dry stem per hectare, which is similar to yields reported from crops in other Australian states, as well as in Europe.

The National Farmers Federation are welcoming the legislation, although they aren’t aware of many farmers who are hanging out to grow hemp. I suspect over time, many farmers will diversify into this area. Especially if they find it commercially viable.

I sure hope the hemp industry in NSW gets all the support deserves. After all, how many other plants can yield the amazing environmental benefits that hemp does? And how many other plants can provide for such a diverse range of product applications as hemp?

Since 2003, the UK has held a Hemp Expo, which aims to raise public awareness of the value of hemp as a national crop.

Each year, the Hemp Expo is held in held in various locations around the UK. This year it’s returning to London - the place of the first Hemp Expo back in 2003.

Here’s what the official website has to say about the Hemp Expo:

Featuring the latest and greatest in new inventions, clothing, bags, food, books, alternative therapies, healing, music, famous names and famous faces, seminars, new seed strains, vaporisers and much, much more.

Exhibitors, inventors, wholesalers and retailers will be coming from all over the world to show the best in hemp and alternative technologies.

This year’s Hemp Expo will be held on 14th, 15th and 16th of November 2008, at the Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London E1

Hessian cloth is a coarse woven fabric typically made from jute or hemp. In the US, hessian cloth is usually referred to as ‘burlap’.

Hessian cloth (or just ‘hessian’) is often used to make sacks and bags for industrial purposes. It’s breathability makes it suitable for carrying foodstuffs - as it less prone to condensation than other materials. This, in turn, reduces spoilage of the contents.

Hessian cloth is also very durable. Again, this makes it ideal for carrying heavy goods. Because of its durability, Ghillie suits (or yowie suits) are often made from hessian. Ghillie suits are a type of camouflage suit used in the military and is designed to resemble the foilage of the forest.

Although hessian cloth is not popular in modern day apparel (probably due to it’s coarse texture), there are still many potential uses for it. And, because it’s made from plants like jute and hemp, it can be more sustainable than many other alternatives.