Event highlights ways to harness hemp

By Liam Migdail-Smith
Source: readingeagle.com


Reading Eagle: Liam Migdail-Smith | Les Stark, executive director of the Keystone Cannabis Coalition, shows state Sen. Judy Schwank a stone that had been part of an old Lancaster County hemp mill at a Heidelberg Township event on Saturday that showcased uses of industrial hemp. State lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow the plant to be farmed in Pennsylvania. 

Advocates for industrial hemp farming aren't waiting around for Pennsylvania to legalize the crop before planning how the state could benefit from it.

A workshop Saturday in Heidelberg Township sought, among other goals, to match potential hemp growers with product makers who would be looking to buy their crops.

That way, the industry will be ready to hit the ground running once the state gives its OK, organizers said. 

And there's good reason to start planning now, said Les Stark, an Exeter Township resident and executive director of the Keystone Cannabis Coalition.

Recent federal legislation has cleared the way for states to allow hemp growing. A few other states have started their own hemp programs, and if Pennsylvania doesn't join them soon, it will miss a chance to cash in on all the jobs and business a thriving hemp industry could bring, Stark said.

"We are just very worried that if Pennsylvania doesn't act with a degree of urgency, we're going to be left in the dust," he said.

In honor of national Hemp History Week, advocates set up a workshop in a parking lot off Route 422 to showcase the bamboo-like plant's many uses, which range from textiles to beauty products to food.

Headlining the event was a presentation on building with hempcrete, a cement-like material made with hemp and lime. Attendees could also learn about other hemp products and sample soft pretzels, mustard and other foods made with hemp seeds.

Former Philadelphia Flyers left wing Riley Cote helped organize the effort, and had a booth with information on his nonprofit Hemp Heals.

Outlining the efforts to make local hemp-farming legal were three state lawmakers: Sens. Judy Schwank and Mike Folmer and Rep. Russ Diamond.

Hemp was a staple crop in Pennsylvania before it was banned along with its cousin, marijuana. Both names refer to the same plant, cannabis, but different varieties, like feed corn versus sweet corn.

Hemp contains only trace amounts of THC, the compound that gives marijuana its psychoactive effect, Stark said. So it can't be used to get high. But scientists didn't know that when marijuana was banned in the 1930s, all strains of the plant became illegal to grow, he said.

Hemp products are available locally, but the ingredient has to be imported.

Schwank, a Ruscombmanor Township Democrat, and Folmer, a Lebanon County Republican, have teamed on a bill that would allow Pennsylvania farmers to grow industrial hemp. That proposal is being considered by the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, of which Schwank is minority chairwoman.

Diamond, a Lebanon County Republican, has introduced a similar bill in the House.

Schwank said the bill would create a system to start hemp farming's return to Pennsylvania.

"The idea is to get it growing everywhere, get more people exposed to the plant and get supply side of the operation up and running," she said.

Few issues are as much of a no-brainer, Folmer said. But the bill's success will rely on advocates making sure lawmakers understand its purpose.

"This is truly about education," he said.

The hemp push comes as state lawmakers consider allowing doctors to prescribe medical marijuana. And with marijuana now decriminalized in Philadelphia, there have been calls for an expanded, statewide decriminalization.

Saturday's event focused on hemp, though some speakers discussed the other issues as well.

Contact Liam Migdail-Smith: 610-371-5022 or lsmith@readingeagle.com. 

Senator: U.S. Ban On Hemp Makes About As Much Sense As 'A Ban On Portobello Mushrooms'

By Matt Ferner
Source: huffingtonpost.com

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) on Thursday called for ending the federal ban on hemp production in recognition of Hemp History Week.

“In my view, keeping the ban on growing hemp makes about as much sense as instituting a ban on portobello mushrooms," Wyden, who introduced a hemp legalization bill earlier this year, said on the Senate floor. "There’s no reason to outlaw a product that’s perfectly safe because of what it’s related to.”

Wyden showed senators a basket filled with products made in Oregon using industrial hemp, including protein powder derived from hemp seeds, hemp butter, hemp-based skin care products, and wood deck finish. Because of the U.S. hemp ban, raw material for those products has to be imported from countries that allow hemp cultivation.

Hemp comes from cannabis sativa, the same plant species as marijuana. However, hemp contains little to no THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana associated with the "high" sensation. Other industrial uses include clothing, rope, fuel and paper.

Still, the federal government has maintained a longstanding ban on hemp under the Controlled Substances Act, which doesn't distinguish between marijuana (the drug) and hemp (the plant).

"Marijuana and hemp are related species, but one should not be confused with the other, much like a chihuahua and a Saint Bernard," Wyden said. "Mixing hemp in on a ban on growing marijuana is based on a lot of misconceptions."

The U.S. is the world's largest consumer of hemp products, but is the only major industrialized country that outlaws hemp production.

Wyden said hemp-based products contributed $620 million to the U.S. economy in 2014. The hemp used in those products must be imported.

"The federal ban on hemp amounts, in my view, to a restriction on free enterprise and it doesn't accomplish anything but stifle job creation and economic growth," Wyden said.

Wyden, along with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, introduced the Industrial Hemp Farming Act in January. The legislation would lift a federal ban on growing hemp by exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana. It would allow farmers in any state to grow the crop.

Last year's farm bill, signed by President Barack Obama, included a measure that allows industrial hemp production for research by colleges and universities if permitted by state law. To date, more than 20 states have removed barriers to industrial hemp production.

American industrial hemp production peaked in 1943, with more than 150 million pounds from 146,200 harvested acres. Production ceased in the late-1950s as a result of "anti-drug sentiment and competition from synthetic fibers," according to The Associated Press.

Hemp "was once a booming crop in America," Wyden said. "It can, and should be, again."

Hempcrete Workshop planned in Robesonia

Event is part of Hemp History Week

Source: ldnews.com

Hempcrete Workshop planned in Robesonia

Two large, conical shaped antique hemp millstones that once processed hemp fiber in the old Lancaster County hemp mills sit off Route 422 in Robesonia, Berks County, awaiting Saturday's Building with Hempcrete Workshop and Family Day.

Organized by Hemp Heals Foundation and locally based Keystone Cannabis Coalition, the event is being held to celebrate Hemp History Week and promote the current Hemp Legislation introduced to the General Assembly this year. It starts at 11:30 a.m. at 631 W. Penn Ave.

The event this week will feature talks from former Philadelphia Flyer Riley Cote; Sen. Judy Schwank; Lebanon County lawmakers Sen. Mike Folmer and Rep. Russ Diamond; and author/activist Les Stark of the Keystone Cannabis Coalition. A bill to allow industrial hemp farming is making its way through the legislative process in Harrisburg.

The gathering is part of a national series of events called Hemp History Week, with dozens planned across Pennsylvania though Sunday.

John Patterson, a career carpenter of Tiny Hemp Houses in Colorado, will be leading the workshop. Participants will learn the basics of design and framing along with a history of hemp building materials. The core lessons will focus on hempcrete recipes and the proper mixing techniques. Attendees will go home with their own block of hempcrete.

Music will be performed by reggae/rock artist Jay D Clarke .

Schwank and Folmer are the lead sponsors of the hemp farming bill SB50. During a hearing before the Senate Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee in May, the measure received the support of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and the state Department of Agriculture. Rep. Diamond has sponsored a companion bill in the House.

Cote, formerly of the Philadelphia Flyers has been holding the Hemp Heals Music Festival at Penn's Landing since 2013 to raise awareness for the multiplicity of uses for the plant.

3 Tasty and Nutritious Ways to Celebrate Hemp History Week

By Laurel Leicht

Source: glamour.com

You’ve probably known about 4/20 since some stoner friends in high school clued you in, but have you heard of Hemp History Week? It's happening right now, through Sunday, with events around the country to educate people about the eco-friendly, nutritious plant.

Yep, you read that right: nutritious. Turns out hemp boasts a surprising number of health benefits—aside from medicinal marijuana. It’s a good source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and fiber. Who knew?

Luckily, you don’t have to travel to Colorado to celebrate (though, ahem, you might have more fun if you do). There a bunch of new foods on the market that include the crop’s seeds as an ingredient. Here are a few of our faves that hit supermarket shelves within the past couple of months. Pick one up for a nutritious snack—or, you know, if you want something healthier than Doritos on hand for when you have the munchies.

· Hemp Milk: Organic, cold-pressed juice company Daily Greens offers hemp milks infused with ingredients like matcha green tea and wheatgrass for tons of immunity-boosting power; coconut nectar and Madagascar vanilla give them a yummy, subtle sweetness.

· Hemp Cereal: The crunchy flakes of Peace Cereal’s Maple Buckwheat Hemp blend are just slightly sweet and pack a whopping 7 grams of protein per serving—so you’ll stay full till lunch.

· Hemp Yogurt: Living Harvest Tempt Hemp yogurt is a creamy alternative source of probiotics for anyone who’s lactose-intolerant, vegan, or gluten-free. It comes in four flavors, none with more than 9 grams of sugar.

Are there hemp food products that you enjoy? Tell us what they are in the comments below.

Photos: Stocksy

Hemp Ohana Open House coming this Sunday, June 7, Noon – 3pm

Source: ihemphi.com





101 N Kihei Rd. • Parking at Sugar Beach Events of Hawaii

Guided House Tour • Hempcrete Mini-demo • Hemp History Tent • Q&As w/ Key Officials: Homeowners, Don & Joy Nelson and
Lee Anderson; Architect/Builder, George Rixey;
HFUU Vice-President, Simon Russell; Denise Key, Industrial Hemp Hawaii; Steve Rose, Maui Hemp Institute for Research & Innovations Organizing Committee

See You There!

10 ways to incorporate hemp seeds into your diet

Source: amestrib.com

Wheatsfield — Hemp seeds pack protein, healthy fats, vitamin E and minerals like magnesium and zinc into their little shells. In addition, hemp seeds contain all nine essential amino acids. These little nutritious gems easily incorporate into your diet. Just add a scoop here or tablespoon there.

1. Use hemp seeds in place of pine nuts in pesto. This adds over 3 additional grams of protein per 1/4 cup.

2. Add a scoop on top of salads or mix it in with salad dressings.

3. Add a tablespoon to your smoothies. You can add as you blend for a creamy texture or as a healthy garnish.

4. Add hemp seeds to any homemade protein bar, muffin, bread or baked good recipe. Or replace hemp seeds for equal proportions of a seed the recipe calls for.

5. Add a scoop to granola or cereal or cook with oats.

6. Make a quick hemp nut butter blend. Blend with almonds or another nut, add honey and spread on toast.

7. Mix a tablespoon with an avocado and spread on toast.

8. Add to bean or turkey burgers while you are creating the patties.

9. Add a tablespoon or two to yogurt for a protein-filled breakfast.

10. Make your own hemp milk. Blend and then strain through cheesecloth or nut milk bag the following ingredients:

- 1 c hemp seeds

- 3-4 c water

- sea salt to taste

- sweetener of choice (2 dates, 1-3 tsp of honey or maple syrup, stevia)

- 1 Tbsp coconut oil (optional)

- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Nutrition

Serving Size 3 Tbsp

170 Calories 120 Calories from Fat, 10g Protein, 3g Dietary Fiber, 45% daily value Magnesium, 45% daily value Phosphorus, 20% daily value Zinc, 8% daily value Folate, 8% daily value Vitamin B6.

Atlanta activists to showcase all things hemp

Source: clatl.com

By Adjoa Danso 

HEMP HOP: Activists will promote hemp's uses and history this weekend at the Center for Civic 
Innovation in Downtown

Despite advocate groups (and research) that say hemp, a cousin of marijuana, is one of the most economically viable yet underutilized sustainable materials on Earth, hemp still can 't be grown in most states without permission from the federal government. There are 22 states that have enacted state laws relating to industrial hemp following a provision of the 2014 Farm Bill allowing for the limited cultivation of industrial hemp. Georgia ain't one of 'em.

This weekend, the Georgia Hemp Economic Revival Organization, or GA HEROs, will host Bringing Hemp Home, Atlanta’s official Hemp History Week event. On Sun., June 7 at the Center for Civic Innovation, GA HEROs will focus on promoting hemp usage as a way of strengthening Georgia’s economy and generating safe, sustainable alternatives to products such as plastics, textiles, and even food. There will be a panel discussion to highlight how farming and producing industrial hemp in Georgia can boost Georgia's economy and a showcase of products made with hemp.

Additionally, "Bringing It Home," a documentary inspired by a man who built a hemp-based home because chemicals in conventional construction materials triggered his daughter's seizures, will be screened. And, of course, there will be food, drinks, and other products made with hemp. (No, there won’t be anything “special” about them except that they’re hemp-based.)

The event is free, but GA HEROs suggests a $10 donation to help cover event costs. Reservations can be made here.