HEMP AND THE ENVIRONMENT

• Hemp grown for the production of biomass fuels can provide all of our gas, oil and coal energy needs and end dependency on fossil fuels.
  
  
• Hemp results in a 95.5% fuel-to-feed ratio when used for pyrolysis the thermochemical process that converts organic matter into fuel.
  
  
• Biomass has a heating value of up to 8,000 BTU/lb., with virtually no residual sulphur or ash during combustion.
  
  
• Biomass fuels offer a clean alternative to fossil fuels. No sulphur oxides are released, either during pyrolysis or combustion. A closed CO2 system is created. According to Stanley Manahan, «Environmental Chemistry», biomass fuels would not result in any net CO2 being added to the atmosphere.
  
  
• Hemp is the #1 producer of biomass per acre in the world. Biomass energy expert Lynn Osburn estimates that 1.5 to 3.5 million acres of hemp would replace all of Canada's fossil fuel demands.
  
  
• From 75% to 90% of all paper was made with hemp fiber until the late 1800's.
  
  
• U.S.D.A. bulletin #404 outlined a process for the production of paper using pulp and demonstrated that hemp could replace 40% to 70% of all tree pulp paper, including corrugated boxes, computer paper and paper bags.
  
  
• An acre of hemp will produce as much pulp for paper as 4.1 acres of trees over a 20 year period.
  
  
• The hemp paper-making process requires no dioxin-producing chlorine bleach and uses 75% to 85% less sulphur-based acid.
  
  
• Hemp paper is suitable for recycle use 7 to 8 times, compared with 3 times for wood pulp paper.
  
  
• Hemp produces the strongest, most durable natural soft-fiber on earth. Until the 1820's, up to 80% of all textiles and fabrics for clothes, canvas, linens and cordage were made principally from hemp.
  
  
• Hemp cloth is stronger, more durable, warmer and more absorbent than cotton. Best of all grown in Canada, cotton cannot.
  
  
• An acre of land will produce 2 to 3 times as much fiber as cotton, about 1,000 Ibs. of fiber per acre.
  
  
• Hemp grown in most parts of Canada will require no herbicide, fungicide or insecticide applications. Up to ½ of all agricultural pesticides used in North America are applied to the cotton crop.
  
  
• Natural, organic hemp fiber breathes and is recyclable, unlike petroleum-based synthetic fibers.
  
  
• A fully mature hemp plant may contain 1/2 of its dry-weight in seed.
  
  
• Hemp seed has an oil content of 34 % more than any other seed. Hemp seed oil is second only to whale oils in its quality and has the same burning qualities and viscosity as #2 grade heating oil without any of the sulphur-based pollutants.
  
  
• Once hemp seed oil has been extracted, the remaining seed cake is second only to soya bean for protein content and is an excellent source of nutrition for either farm animals or humans.