The Emperor of Hemp: The Jack Herer Story
April 14th, 2009 by JosephIt is suiting that a man you probably never heard of is the same guy who envisioned cannabis hemp saving the world from the problem of limited resources in 1974! You may have seen clips, read articles, or learned the theories this man was responsible for legitimatizing, but with time comes the amazing ability for some people’s achievements to get lost in the shuffle.
The Emperor of Hemp: The Jack Herer Story (1999) is the documentary that includes segments that will make you go, “Ahhh, dude, I remember seeing that on YouTube a few years ago.” While Obama would rather you just chuckle when he cracks jokes (i.e. like the way he calls welfare expansion a “tax cut”), this movie is no joke.
Jack Herer is the author of a 1985 best-selling book titled The Emperor Wears No Clothes. 30 years ago his life became a crusade against tyranny and the social acceptance of falsehoods, and he has, against the will of the mainstream media, produced new information on an ancient plant the world shunned in favor of fossil fuels, deforestation and destruction.
The first book Herer wrote was an animated book called Grass, and soon thereafter put together the deep-seeded connection mankind had with hemp and what followed was firestorm that opened the way for Jack to be the figurehead for a bandwagon few at the time were ready to jump on.
Shunned by zero tolerance laws that were highlighted by Ronald Reagan’s claim marijuana resulted in permanent brain damage in 1980, Jack would eventually get arrested, which would lead to his masterpiece, The Emperor Wears No Clothes, in 1983, best described as “a part scientific document, part journalistic exposé and part holy crusade” must-read, currently in its 11th edition.
Check out the Hemp for Victory story at a little after the 35-minute mark, which is an especially rewarding byproduct of this documentary. If you find yourself asking what difference a film of this nature makes, your answer is provided.
Hemp — Don’t Call It a Comeback
April 3rd, 2009 by Rick
The farming of industrial hemp may be returning to the United States, thanks to the effort of two Washington lawmakers, Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Ron Paul (R-Texas), who are reintroducing legislation to legalize the black sheep family member of Cannabis. Many hemp advocates believe legalizing it will stimulate our current sinking economy.
Eric Steenstra, president of Vermont-based Vote Hemp, said in a statement:
Hemp is a versatile, environmentally-friendly crop that has not been grown here for over 50 years because of a politicized interpretation of the nation’s drug laws by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Jobs would be created overnight, as there are numerous U.S. companies that now have no choice but to import hemp materials valued at $360 million in annual retail sales and growing.
$360 million a year is a drop in the bucket compared to what hemp can truly net. Hemp has numerous uses including paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction, health food, and fuel. The Chinese have been using it for over a millennia, finding over 5,000 uses for it. Henry Ford grew industrial hemp on his estate after 1937. He made plastic cars with wheat straw, hemp and sisal… but Rockefeller bought and destroyed them. Soon thereafter, hemp was banned.
Major producers include Canada, France, and China but nearly every industrialized country in the world produces hemp. More hemp is exported to the United States than to any other country.
[img via Dan Koeck for The New York Times]
IPath x Burnquist = Grasshopper Ltd.
December 19th, 2008 by Alex
Footwear (and industrial hemp) specialist IPath has collaborated with Bob Burnquist to drop a limited edition of their shoe the Grasshopper. In fine IPath tradition, this model is made of hemp and sports colors from Bob’s homeland of Brazil.
If you dig hemp shoes, IPath has plenty more where that came from (warning: random sizes are available). Maybe you can grab them in time for Christmas and warm that special person’s heart feet.
[via The Hundreds]
The Hemp-Mote
December 12th, 2008 by Alex
One unusual, and pretty damn cool, transformation of the Wiimote has been done by the enigmatic modder DHRECK.
The remote is made from 3 different kinds of 100% natural hemp string. Functionally, it is completely intact, with all accelerometers, infrared cameras, and buttons working in perfect order.
This is no cookie-cutter mod, DHRECK didn’t want a stocky, unwieldy remote, so he had to whittle down the main body of each controller by a significant amount. He used saws and files to get the shape required, then re-built the body of each piece with modeling putty. After sanding and some quick painting, that served as the base for his creation.
DHRECK’s overall goal was to turn something stark, bland and boring into a device that was more natural, warm and textured. He’s definitely succeeded, even if the remote itself can degrade quickly due to the fragile nature of how it is wrapped (and the way people use Wiimote’s in the first place).
Tons of extra shots after the jump…
A Hempful Re-education
December 8th, 2008 by PerryFor those of you that equate hemp and its by-products to novelty goods for impractical tree-huggers, think again.
This video is an eye-opening look at the myriad uses for hemp, from healthy hemp bread to even luxury car doors. An interview with Roger Johnson, who is an agricultural commissioner from North Dakota, talks about great potential for a hemp market in the United States.
Johnson cites the fact that over 30 countries currently cultivate hemp, most of which do so to sell their products within the United States.
“What an opportunity we’re giving away, throwing away, by not being a part of this industry,” Johnson said.
Johnson goes on to list a plethora of products that come from hemp production; such as paper, clothing, rope and uses for hemp oil, like high-end cosmetics.
With all of these uses available, it’s a shame that Arnold vetoed a bill for industrial hemp last year, and we continue to lose out on another economy-strengthening product.
Pamela Anderson Speaks Out on Pot
November 19th, 2008 by Perry
Pamela Anderson recently decided to get involved in yet another cause, pro-marijuana activism.
Well known for her love of animals and charitable donations, Anderson recently wrote a letter to Barack Obama and blogged about the importance of legalization. She outlines how cultivating marijuana would “save children” and help the environment.
I think we should legalise marijuana, tax and monitor farm hemp etc. This would make our borders less corrupt and then I think eventually this will be more secure option and save children in the long run – we should be able to farm hemp in America – it’s just silly. It would create jobs and be good for the environment.
Here, here.
She also goes on to show a little more radical side. Pamela also controversially suggests anyone found guilty of molesting children or possessing child pornography, should be castrated for their crimes.
Can’t deny it’d cut down on repeat offenders though. Heyoooooo! I’m sorry.
IPath Drops Spring/Summer Hemp Line
March 23rd, 2007 by Alex
IPath has long been known as a leader in sourcing alternative materials for their footwear.
Just recently, Cali Roots picked up a shipment of the fresh Summer/Spring line of IPath’s hemp based footwear. The line consists of 3 low-top models and 1 hi-top, each one with a nice set of lines and powerful colorways.
Hemp is one of the most versatile plants in the world, and it’s great to see a manufacturer who sticks with the cause and consistently produces high-quality goods. Combining environmentalism and style makes all aspects of the consumer experience feel positive – good job IPath.
To see the rest of the IPath hemp line, read more.
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The Hemp Fields of China
March 7th, 2007 by AlexI really enjoyed this video clip of one man’s travels through one part of China checking out hemp fields and the advantages of the plant.
I think you’ll be surprised at how many applications hemp can be used: clothing, paper, rope, as well as houses entirely made out of the stuff! It makes you take a second look at how much hemp can be used to save (at least a fraction of) our depleting natural resources.
This clip also has some other interesting facts about hemp labor laws in China. You won’t find any child labor here as they keep strict laws to maintain ethical treatment to their employees. One more thing, wait for the surprise at the end!
