George Washington pushed for the growth of hemp because it was a crop commonly used to make rope and cloth. In May 1765 he noted in his diary that he sowed seeds daily until mid-April. Then he talks about the October harvest, where he grew 27 bushels this year. Kraenzel, D. G., Petry, T. A., Nelson, B., Anderson, M. J., Mathern, D., & Todd, R. (1998). Industrial hemp as an alternative crop in North Dakota (Agricultural Economics Report 402). doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.23264 Cannabis is one of humanity`s oldest cultures with various uses, from food to clothing to medicine. It remains one of the most controversial crops, whose production, possession and use are regulated differently in different countries. Academic research and advocacy have led to the redefinition of the legal status of cannabis in several countries.
Ghana recently revised its cannabis laws allowing the cultivation of industrial hemp. The legislation paves the way for Ghana to benefit from industrial hemp and add it to the list of cash crops. This article examines the economic outlook for industrial hemp as a result of the new law. It is true that hemp policy in the United States has been radically changed by this new legislation. However, some misconceptions remain about the exact effect of this policy change. A country like South Africa allows citizens to grow certain quantities for personal medical and non-medical purposes. Other countries are taking the legalization and commercialization approach of cannabis legislation. This allows licensed production for commercial and research purposes. In this approach, Cannabis sativa L, grown as industrial hemp, can be produced under license by a company and the associated products extracted.
The licensing authority strictly monitors the production and supply chain. Figure 1 shows the compliance regime that governs Medikingdom`s cannabis production in Lesotho. Kilmer and Pacula (2017) identified four areas that address cannabis laws. These are reserved medical and recreational purposes; Producer – who has legal protection for large-scale production; purchase – who can purchase cannabis and related products; and products – What types of cannabis-related products are allowed? One of the main arguments in favour of legalizing recreational use is that it allows the government to benefit from cannabis use through legalization and reduce the burden on drug control agencies (Lynn, 2016). However, recreational use was not the focus of this document. It`s almost 2021 and the U.S. market is moving towards more versatile and comprehensive applications of the industrial hemp plant, reflecting what the European Union has been implementing for decades. Last month, two very important events took place on the continent. First, the European Parliament increased the required percentage of THC in plant material from 0.2 to 0.3 percent, bringing it in line with U.S. policy. This proposal has long been supported by the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA). Hemp has been cultivated for thousands of years in Asia and the Middle East for its fiber.
Commercial hemp production in the West began in the eighteenth century, but was grown in the sixteenth century in eastern England. [176] Due to the colonial and maritime expansion of this period, economies needed large quantities of hemp for rope and oak. In the early 1940s, world production of hemp fibres was between 250,000 and 350,000 tonnes, with Russia being the largest producer. [156] 1942 United States Department of Agriculture War Board Letter of thanks to Joe “Daddy Burt” Burton, a Kentucky hemp farmer for his support of the “Hemp for Victory” campaign during World War II.[174] Cannabis seeds are high in fat and contain 30-35% fatty acids. The extracted oil is suitable for a variety of construction applications. [37] Biodegradable hemp oil acts as a wood varnish and protects flooring from mold, pests and wear and tear. Its use prevents water from entering the wood while allowing air and steam to pass through. [44] Its most common use is wood-frame construction, one of the most common construction methods in the world. Due to its low UV resistance, the surface is most often used indoors on surfaces such as flooring and wood panels.
[41] [44] [45] Estonia is becoming a powerhouse in the European hemp industry.