Cannabis Sativa

Hemp

In the entire world, there has never been a plant quite as amazing as Cannabis Sativa. Being the world's only renewable resource capable of solving many of it's environmental, psychological, and economic problems, it is of no surprise that the plant has made quite an impact in the discovery of the New World.

Cannabis Sativa, also known as; Hemp, cannabis hemp, Indian (India) hemp, true hemp, muggles, weed, pot, marijuana, reefer, grass, ganja, bhang, "the kind," dagga, and herb became an ideal plant to cultivate because of its many fine attributes. Depending on the culture, It's leaves and flower tops were the first, second, or third most important and most used medicines for at least two thirds of the world's people for at least 3,000 years.

Cannabis hemp is by far, the strongest, most durable, longest lasting natural soft fiber, and the worlds most advanced plant family on the planet. Because it is Dioecious, having male, female and sometimes hermaphroditic qualities, it is easy to grow and cultivate. This tall, woody, herbaceous annual, reaching anywhere from 12 to 20 feet in one short growing season uses the sun more efficiently that any other plant on earth. It can be grown in any climate or soil condition on Earth, and is a premier renewable natural resource.

Many countries found the plant appealing because of it's abilities to flourish in extreme heat. The Arabs discovered that the sticky goo, or Hashish, that covered the flowers and leaves was a natural protectant against the sun, holding in moisture and repelling damaging heat. It's ability to survive in temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit made it ideal for mass production in the New World. Not to mention that it needs no chemicals to grow and has very few natural enemies.

The Hemp plant was initially cultivated for it's main two attributes, it's hardiness and it's useful fibers. Until the 1820's in America, 80 percent of all textiles and fabrics used for clothing, tents, bed sheets, and linens were made principally from the fibers of Cannabis. Until 1883, from 75-90% of all paper in the world was made with cannabis hemp fiber including that for books, Bibles, maps, paper money, stocks and bonds, newspapers, etc. Everything from rugs, diapers, drapes, quilts, towels, rags, and even our nation's flag were made possible by Hemp. The rest of the world used it's fibers well into the 20th century and most countries still rely on it for the bulk of their paper and textile industries. Even the first settlers in the New World arrived here on ships with canvas hemp sails. The word "canvas" is the Dutch pronunciation (twice removed, from French and Latin) of the Greek word "Kannabis." The paintings of Van Gogh, Gainsborough, Rembrant, etc., were primarily painted on hemp canvas, as were practically all canvas paintings. It's strong, lustrous fiber withstands heat, mildew, insects, and is not damaged by light. Oil paintings on hemp have stayed in fine condition for centuries.

The flowers and leaves of the Cannabis plant was used for medicinal purposes first by the Chinese. As the popularity of the plant grew, so did it's involvement in medicine. Famous Europeans and Americans, including Queen Victoria and George Washington, have been known to use it for fatigue, fits of coughing, rheumatism, asthma, delirium tremens, migraine headaches, cramps, depression, and PMS. It was one of the very first herbs to be used in medicine and scientists are still discovering new ways of applying it to today's modern medicine.

It is widely believed that Hemp was brought to the New World by Pedro Cuadrado, a conquistador in Cortes's Army. When Cortes made his second expedition to Mexico, Cuadrado and a friend when into business raising hemp in Mexico. They became very successful in raising the new cash-crop until 1550, when the Spanish governor, concerned that the natives were using the plant for other uses than rope, limited the two entrepreneur's production.

With the discovery of the New World, many europeans found themselves sitting on a gold mine. Though they found no literal gold mines, they found many other ways to exploit their ventures in the Americas. The new land they found was thick with trees, teeming with fish, overflowing with furs, and controlled by easily overpowered natives.

It was Sir Walter Raleigh who first became excited at the prospect of harvesting Hemp in the American Colonies. In 1585, his friend and tutor, Thomas Heriot, told him that he had seen a hemp-like plant growing wild in what was to become Virginia. Heriot's hemp was Acnida Cannabinium, a plant which also yields a fiber suitable for weaving, but it is inferior in strength to actual cannabis.

The mercantile system which England adopted as part of her policy towards the colonies was basically