More evidence for ending the War on Hemp/Marijuana!!!!Oh please!Become informed on a topic before you spout off and mis-inform everyone! A large part of the longevity of ANY product (paper or hemp) are the chemicals used in processing and the residual compounds left IN the product!
Additionaly, here is a recent work that investigated industrial hemp growing and processing in Minnesota that advocates *caution* before rushing headlong into 'massive hemp farming' -
http://www.cnr.umn.edu/WPS/publications/hemp.pdf
Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) as a
Papermaking Raw Material in Minnesota:
Technical, Economic, and Environmental Considerationsby Jim L. Bowyer
Published May 2001
Abstract
One potential source of industrial fiber is agricultural crops, either in the form of residues of food crops or plants grown specifically for fiber. One species that has generated interest as a fiber source is industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). This report focuses on the potential use of industrial hemp as a source of paper making raw material in Minnesota. Environmental implications of commercial scale hemp production are also examined.
...
Summary
Despite promising attributes of industrial hemp, several factors suggest that development of an industrial hemp-based paper industry in Minnesota should not be pursued without very careful consideration.
Factors dictating caution include:
- Hemp growth rates are markedly lower than kenaf, another agricultural fiber currently being promoted as a papermaking raw material. The relatively slow growth rates of hemp could place Minnesota farmers at a considerable disadvantage to those several hundred miles to the south who could raise fiber crops of kenaf.
- Hemp crops are highly sensitive to early and late season frosts, a reality that could prevent reliable production of seed that is needed to make hemp production economically attractive to farmers.
- Although industrial hemp is not likely to be an economically viable source of marijuana, separation of industrial hemp from hemp grown as a narcotic is extremely difficult.
- Separation of bark and core portions of hemp stalks are thought by many to be necessary for optimum processing of hemp. However, retting, an integral part of the bark/core separation process, is reported to require substantial improvement prior to large-scale use of industrial hemp as a fiber source.
- Long-term storage of large volumes of hemp would be needed following harvest were hemp to become a principal papermaking fiber.
- In comparison to industrial fiber productivity in tree plantations, production of hemp fiber would likely result in significantly greater environmental impacts, even if it is assumed that annual hemp yields per acre would be as much as 70 percent greater than yields from poplar plantations.
Although industrial hemp is not likely to be an economically viable source of marijuana, separation of industrial hemp from hemp grown as a narcotic is extremely difficult.
Bet you and your little BATF buds are sweatin' bullets ... a long-term REAL war will bankrupt your little dinky war on consensual drugs ... and all you bums will have to find real jobs!