Budding Beauty: Is Cannabis Good for the Skin?

By Marta Wohrle
Source: huffingtonpost.com

Throughout my life I have tended to subscribe to the view that everything "bad" could somehow be good for you. I was thoroughly vindicated in this with the discovery that red wine prevents cancer, heart disease, and wrinkles. Now it seems that cannabis is good for the skin and Medical Marijuana Inc, a publicly-quoted company, launched an anti-aging beauty products line starring super-concentrated, cannabis-enriched hemp oil starting December 2013.

Now before you get too high on the idea that cannabis will soon be available on a beauty counter at your local department store, alongside Estee Lauder, it is worth remembering that this wouldn't be new news. Although coyly referred to as "hemp," cannabis has long been a beauty product ingredient.

Hemp seed oil has been blithely used in cosmetics throughout the war on drugs. This is because it contains only trace elements of THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in marijuana. Hemp is particularly ubiquitous in shampoos and conditioners as it is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and as such a great emollient for hair.

What makes Medical Marijuana, Inc's approach different is that it is going for the hard stuff. Cannabis Beauty Defined (the name of the actual cosmetic line) uses cannabidiol-rich hemp oil in its exfoliant, cleanser, eye cream, gel masque, moisturizer and serum.

Apparently, the medical marijuana business in the U.S. is worth some $2 billion annually, whereas the anti-aging cosmetic business is many times that size. So I can see why Medical Marijuana Inc would be tempted to diversify. The question, though, is whether cannabis in skincare just smoke and mirrors.

It turns out that it is the real deal -- at least for dry skin. There is clinical research that cannabinoids have anti-aging -- antioxidant - properties. Published in the journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, there are findings confirming that cannabinoids are responsible for lipid production and, therefore, for regulating conditions such as dry skin or acne. "Our preclinical data encourage one to explore whether endocannabinoid system-acting agents can be exploited in the management of common skin disorders," said Tamás Biró, a scientist on the team. "It is also suggested that these agents can be efficiently applied locally to the skin in the form of a cream."

Another study in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that cannabidiol has the potential for helping (unspecified) skin diseases.

Seems convincing enough to approach Cannabis Beauty Defined with an open mind. Still, it's kind of ironic that the wrinkled legacy of my years of smoking could be undone by a topical dab of weed.

For more information on skincare and anti-aging check out www.truthinaging.com.

Is industrial hemp the ultimate energy crop?

By: Thomas Prade
Source: theconversation.com


Using industrial hemp for the production of bioenergy has been promoted by enthusiasts for a long time. 

Bioenergy is currently the fastest growing source of renewable energy. Cultivating energy crops on arable land can decrease dependency on depleting fossil resources and it can mitigate climate change.

But some biofuel crops have bad environmental effects: they use too much water, displace people and create more emissions than they save. This has led to a demand for high-yielding energy crops with low environmental impact. Industrial hemp is said to be just that.

Enthusiasts have been promoting the use of industrial hemp for producing bioenergy for a long time now. With its potentially high biomass yield and its suitability to fit into existing crop rotations, hemp could not only complement but exceed other available energy crops.

Hemp, Cannabis sativa, originates from western Asia and India and from there spread around the globe. For centuries, fibres were used to make ropes, sails, cloth and paper, while the seeds were used for protein-rich food and feed. Interest in hemp declined when other fibres such as sisal and jute replaced hemp in the 19th century.

Abuse of hemp as a drug led to the prohibition of its cultivation by the United Nations in 1961. When prohibition was revoked in the 1990s in the European Union, Canada and later in Australia, industrially used hemp emerged again.

This time, the car industry’s interest in light, natural fibre promoted its use. For such industrial use, modern varieties with insignificant content of psychoactive compounds are grown. Nonetheless, industrial hemp cultivation is still prohibited in some industrialised countries like Norway and the USA.

Energy use of industrial hemp is today very limited. There are few countries in which hemp has been commercialised as an energy crop. Sweden is one, and has a small commercial production of hemp briquettes. Hemp briquettes are more expensive than wood-based briquettes, but sell reasonably well on regional markets.

Large-scale energy uses of hemp have also been suggested.

Biogas production from hemp could compete with production from maize, especially in cold climate regions such as Northern Europe and Canada. Ethanol production is possible from the whole hemp plant, and biodiesel can be produced from the oil pressed from hemp seeds. Biodiesel production from hemp seed oil has been shown to overall have a much lower environmental impact than fossil diesel.

Indeed, the environmental benefits of hemp have been praised highly, since hemp cultivation requires very limited amounts of pesticide. Few insect pests are known to exist in hemp crops and fungal diseases are rare.

Since hemp plants shade the ground quickly after sowing, they can outgrow weeds, a trait interesting especially for organic farmers. Still, a weed-free seedbed is required. And without nitrogen fertilisation hemp won´t grow as vigorously as is often suggested.

So, as with any other crop, it takes good agricultural practice to grow hemp right.

Hemp has a broad climate range and has been cultivated successfully from as far north as Iceland to warmer, more tropical regions. Flickr: Gregory Jordan

Being an annual crop, hemp functions very well in crop rotations. Here it may function as a break crop, reducing the occurance of pests, particularly in cereal production. Farmers interested in cultivating energy crops are often hesitant about tying fields into the production of perennial energy crops such as willow. Due to the high self-tolerance of hemp, cultivation over two to three years in the same field does not lead to significant biomass yield losses.

Small-scale production of hemp briquettes has also proven economically feasible. However, using whole-crop hemp (or any other crop) for energy production is not the overall solution.

Before producing energy from the residues it is certainly more environmentally friendly to use fibres, oils or other compounds of hemp. Even energy in the fibre products can be used when the products become waste.

Recycling plant nutrients to the field, such as in biogas residue, can contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions from crop production.

Sustainable bioenergy production is not easy, and a diversity of crops will be needed. Industrial hemp is not the ultimate energy crop. Still, if cultivated on good soil with decent fertilisation, hemp can certainly be an environmentally sound crop for bioenergy production and for other industrial uses as well.

Colorado adopts regulations for legal hemp farming

Source: therepublic.com

DENVER — The Colorado Department of Agriculture has adopted the state's first industrial hemp rules that went into effect before New Year's Day.

The department said Thursday producers can begin registering with the department's industrial hemp program on March 1.

The annual registration fee for commercial production of industrial hemp will be $200, plus $1 an acre. The annual registration fee for research and development will be $100 plus $5 an acre.

Industrial hemp, marijuana's non-intoxicating cousin, is already under limited cultivation in Colorado, though it defies federal drug law. Hemp and its oil-rich seeds are used mostly in foods, cosmetics and textiles.

Hemp production was made legal last year when Colorado voters also decided to defy federal drug law and allow recreational marijuana for adults.

Seasons of pain and gain

By KATE PRESTT

Source: theadvocate.com.au

A SERIES of bush fires ripped through the south-east of the state in the early part of the year, which wreaked havoc on farmland.

The state's agricultural industry and wider community were quick to lend a hand in any way they could.

A team of volunteers were at the ready to deliver 267 round bales of feed that were donated by North-West farmers.

It was seeing the devastation first hand at Lake Repulse that saw a group of friends think up a unique way to raise money.

Their convoy of six tractors with a top speed of 40km/h made its way from Smithton to Hobart, part of The Great Tasmanian Tractor Drive.

The event raised more than $10,000 that was distributed by the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association to the fire- affected farmers.

Hope for future IN March, the opening of the new $80 million Tasmanian Dairy Products factory at Smithton was a light at the end of a long, dark tunnel for the region's farmers, offering hope for the future with increased competition.

Good news

THE opening of the Agritas Trade College at Smithton in August was welcome news.

The construction of the facility, which will boost skills of the current workforce and the generations to come, started early in 2012 after a $4.25 million federal grant for the college.

Poppy plan

IN 2013, there were discussions for and against Tasmania remaining the only Australian state where poppies can be grown commercially to produce medicinal opiates, used to make legal pharmaceutical painkillers.

GMO talks

TASMANIA'S GMO-FREE status is due to expire and throughout 2013 there were strong arguments from industry representatives on both sides.

The Tasmanian Beekeepers Association was just one body to make a submission to the state government's review of the genetically modified organism policy.

The association wants to see the retention of the GM moratorium.

Spokesman Lindsay Bourke said honey bees forage a large variety of crops up to five kilometres away and since poppy crops were sometimes next door to vegetable crops being pollinated by honey bees, it was certain that GM poppy pollen and nectar would be collected and contaminate the honey.

Honey with any GMO component is completely banned in the EU, including the long- standing honey markets of Britain and Germany.

Hemp inquiry

TASMANIAN farmers are now a step closer to adding hemp to their crop rotations. The House of Assembly Standing Committee on Environment, Resources and Development, chaired by Brenton Best, in October tabled a report in parliament on its inquiry into the Tasmanian hemp industry.

Industrial Hemp Association of Tasmania president and Bishopsbourne hemp grower Phil Reader said it was good to see the long-awaited report being tabled in parliament.

Mr Reader said the next step was to ensure the Tasmanian Government acted on the recommendations.

Progress made

THE Dial Blyth Irrigation Scheme has progressed to the detailed design stage.

In October, members of the scheme's committee and local farmers met with Deputy Premier Bryan Green to pressure the Commonwealth to release funds for the $13 million scheme that they have been trying to get off the ground for three years. In November, the federal government committed to funding the scheme.

Irrigation committee chairman and South Riana dairy farmer Garry Carpenter said 31 farmers had committed $2.5 million to buy water from the scheme.

It was the first time farmers had committed money up front to show their commitment.

Aiming to find some common ground

By: Stephanie Condon
Source: cbsnews.com

CBS

Two senators from the opposite ends of the political spectrum are aiming to find some common ground in 2014 over the issue of the so-called drug war.

Conservative Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and liberal Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., connected last week via Twitter, after Paul began airing his grievances to commemorate Festivus, the fake holiday popularized by the sitcom "Seinfeld” in the late 1990s.

 After Paul wrote that Booker “doesn’t RT me enough,” the Democrat referenced another Festivus tradition, responding, “U, me & "feats of strength:" Senate floor, name the time.”

That prompted Paul to respond more seriously, “how about mandatory minimum sentencing reform instead?” Booker then suggested they “throw in reforming Fed Hemp & Marijuana laws.”

Paul has co-authored legislation to legalize industrial hemp, a variety of Cannabis with very low levels of THC, the psychoactive agent in the plant. The coming year, meanwhile, is set to be a significant one for marijuana policy -- on Jan. 1, the first state-licensed marijuana shops will open for business in Colorado. Voters in both Colorado and Washington state in 2012 approved ballot measures legalizing recreational marijuana use, even though the drug remains illegal at the federal level. The federal government has said that, for now, it will take a hands-off approach to the issue, though if state laws keep evolving, the imbalance between state and federal marijuana laws may reach a tipping point.

 Booker capped off the exchange on Twitter by remarking, “Here is to a 2014 where we take on the failed war on drugs.”

Hemp, Inc. Reviews the Industrial Hemp Industry in 2013

Press Release
Source: wsj.com

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 31, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Americans purchased close to $500 million in hemp products in 2013, making the United States the largest importer of industrial hemp, great news as Hemp, Inc. finalizes its packaging of hulled hemp seeds, the "hottest superfood" on the market.

Hemp, Inc. (OTC:HEMP) has informed shareholders regarding its industrial hemp harvest in Northwest China by the Yasheng Group with the report that the crop has yielded approximately 40,000 kg of seeds and 35,000 kg of raw fiber. A recent study published in the European Journal of Nutrition concluded, "The results suggest that hemp seeds may treat and prevent hypertension; "HMH with strong hypotensive effects in SHRs could be used as a therapeutic agent for both the prevention and treatment of hypertension."

The benefits do not stop there. According to cardiothoracic surgeon, author and television personality, Dr. Oz; hemp seeds are rich in magnesium, potassium, iron, protein and essential omega-3, -6 and -9 fatty acids. Hemp seeds aid in memory retention, boost weight loss, improve heart health, and relieve stress, just to name a few. Oz noted on his "Oz Blog" that hemp is a "good source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid that plays an important role in deregulating blood pressure and inflammation." On a recently aired show, Dr. Oz also shared with his viewers how the mega superfood, hemp seeds, can help reduce stress thus changing your emotional well-being, and affirming the European report.

Industrial hemp's relative, medical marijuana, also had a notable 2013. The airways are buzzing with news from Colorado as the hours wind down to the first recreational marijuana sales in US history. Dr. Sanjay Gupta informed the public that they were "terribly and systematically mislead for nearly 70 years" and apologized for being too dismissive of patients whose symptoms improved from cannabis. Dr. Gupta, unfortunately, found that only about 6% of marijuana research studies investigate the benefits of medical marijuana while the rest are purposely designed to investigate the negative effects.

Despite the intentional misconceptions, the masses are rapidly becoming enlightened to the benefits of medical cannabis and industrial hemp, and how hemp products can enhance their lives. The sector as a whole is once again burgeoning as 2013 comes to an end - due to an anticipated January 2014 spike in the industrial hemp and medical marijuana stocks.

Stock prices, as of yesterday, increased for some of the well-known stocks such as Hemp, Inc. (+10%); Medical Marijuana, Inc. (+26.31%); Growlife, Inc. (+7.01%); Medbox, Inc. (+28.28%); Rapid Fire Marketing, Inc. (+50%); Cannabis Science, Inc. (+25.08%); and, Tranzbyte Corporation (+24.86%) increased by almost 28% overall with a collective volume of over 155 million shares sold. According to Bruce Perlowin, CEO of Hemp, Inc., "This most likely is a result of anticipated massive spike that occurred last year in this entire sector in mid January," said Perlowin.

So as we enter into 2014, Hemp, Inc. wishes everyone a very Happy and Profitable New Year!

Hemp supporters remained frustrated

By RONNIE ELLIS
Source: dailyindependent.com

FRANKFORT — It’s been nine months since the Kentucky General Assembly passed a law setting up a regulatory process for growing industrial hemp should the federal government relax its restrictions.

But that doesn’t mean the crop is any closer to production in a state which once led the nation in the cultivation of the fiber and members of the Kentucky Hemp Commission are frustrated.

The federal government includes hemp — a biological cousin of marijuana — in its list of banned substances under the Controlled Substances Act. Supporters of hemp say it contains only minimal amounts of THC, the active ingredient which produces the high from smoking marijuana.

Supporters, headed by Kentucky Republican Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, say hemp can provide a cash crop for farmers who can sell its fiber to processors which can turn it into composite materials for interior car parts or cloth products as well as selling its oil for use in cosmetics and some food products.

A University of Kentucky study questions the economic impact of growing hemp, saying there is little market at the moment for the fiber although a small number of farmers might find it profitable selling the seeds.

Comer pushed passage of Senate Bill 50 last spring, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Paul Hornback of Shelbyville. But the law only allows hemp cultivation in Kentucky if the federal government relaxes or ends its prohibition.

Commission member Jimmy Higdon said at Monday’s meeting it makes little sense the federal government has indicated it will not prosecute those who grow marijuana in states which have legalized it but won’t make the same exception for hemp.

Greg Lee, who is on the board for the Kentucky Hemp Growers’ Association, said some farmers want to test the law by growing hemp this growing season, even without federal approval.

He suggested the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which reserves rights to individual states which are not delegated to the federal government would be a legal defense.

But Luke Morgan, a contract attorney for the commission, and Commission Chairman Brian Furnish said SB 50 contains language insisting Kentucky will follow federal law on hemp.

Morgan reviewed for the commission a series of letters from U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul and Congressman John Yarmuth and Thomas Massie “seeking clarification” from the Drug Enforcement Agency on whether it might pursue prosecution of hemp growers, but he said they have received no formal response.

That led to lengthy discussions by the commission members Monday on how to proceed and exposed a divide among the group between those who want to move aggressively to test the law while others want to pursue a more conservative approach.

That’s not really new, Furnish said after the meeting.

“I think it’s been that way from the beginning,” said Furnish, a Harrison County farmer who is interested in growing hemp.

“But in the end, the consensus has always been to proceed in a conservative manner,” he said.

Comer wasn’t present at Monday’s meeting, but his chief of staff, Holly VonLuehrte, said he’s had conversations with Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway about seeking federal clarification on the issue. Conway earlier issued a letter saying without a change in the federal position someone growing hemp in Kentucky could still face prosecution.

The commission approved a draft of legislation to return the regulatory process for hemp to the Department of Agriculture, hoping to secure its passage in the 2014 General Assembly which convenes Jan. 7. SB 50 places that power in the hands of the commission working with the University of Kentucky.