Review: Stay warm in Gramicci’s NPT Winter Wonder organic cotton/hemp baselayer pants

By: Sara Davidson
Source: militarytimes.com

This winter, retire your old bulky baselayer and replace it with Gramicci’s Winter Wonder pants, new this season from the company’s NPT (natural performance technology) athletic line.

The Tahoe (men) and Aquarius (women) pants are made from a blend of hemp, organic cotton and Spandex to give them an athletic, trim fit that goes under just about any pants without bunching. (Women’s: 53 percent hemp/42 percent organic cotton/5 percent Spandex; men’s: 53 percent hemp/44 percent organic cotton/3 percent Spandex.)

Both styles feature flatlock seams to prevent chafing and are naturally odor resistant.

The men’s style is clearly baselayer, but the women’s style could be worn as leggings or yoga pants in a pinch. I tested the leggings in the company’s darker violet color, and didn’t notice any sheerness factors that could cause unfortunate wardrobe malfunctions. But Gramicci reps — after another company’s unfortunate bum show — err on the side of caution.

“I think it totally depends on the person, the situation and the color of the legging,” they say. “Especially since we have a yoga legging made specifically for all sorts of athletic activities.”

So how did the pants hold up when the temperatures went down?

Fit: One of the best features of the women’s pant is that it comes in numbered sizes (2 to 14) and three inseam lengths (regular, short and tall), giving you a really customized fit. I’m 5’6″ and 133 pounds and the size 6 regular pants fit comfortably close without being tight. They do loosen up slightly with wear, so be cautious if they’re a tad roomy at the beginning. On the women’s pants, the wide waistband makes them extra comfortable and helps eliminate the “muffin top” that some leggings create — no matter how skinny you are. The men’s pants don’t come in as many sizes, but you do have five options from small to XXL. They all have a 32″ inseam and a standard elastic waistband.

Quality: These pants are the fourth product from Gramicci that I’ve tested and they fit the high standard I now expect from the company. The seams are straight and even, the material is high-quality and, except for some potential slight color fading, I expect them to hold up and look the good even after several seasons of use.

Washing: I wash all my running gear in cold water, and typically hang to dry, despite the label giving me permission to put these pants in the dryer. But I have dried the base layer and its slightly heavier capri counterpart (the Chute) without any casualties. If anything, putting them in the dryer shrinks them back to their original size.

Cons: These pants wick fairly well, but do not dry fast. I’ve run in both the Aquarius pants and the slightly thicker Chute capris. Both pants work well when it’s cool and dry, pulling the moisture to the outside, but on wet days they get really clammy. I would not recommend wearing these if there’s a chance you’ll be out in wet conditions. If you’re anticipating a wet hike or rainy day, I’d opt for a quicker-drying synthetic instead. If I were going to wear these more often as exercise pants, I’d want a drawstring. They stay put just fine for walking and hiking, but for high-intensity activities, I’d opt for an exercise-specific pant.

Verdict: I was pretty sold on these pants already, but at half the price of their costlier baselayer aisle mates, it makes them even better. While I wouldn’t wear them in questionable weather or into the far reaches of the backcountry, they’re still great for all-day wear, yoga, lounging … now if only they were work-appropriate …

Women’s: www.gramicci.com; $58 (on sale for $37)

Men’s: www.gramicci.com; $55 (on sale for $33)

Get the matching tops

Women’s: Organic Solid Teddy Winder Wonder baselayer shirt; $58

Men’s: Endurance Organic long sleeve; $46

Sara Davidson is an ultrarunner and our resident women’s gear destroyer.

Reg's Impeding Hemp Growth, Says Trade Alliance

by Kelvin Heppner
Source: portageonline.com

(photo courtesy MB Harvest Hemp)

Regulations are impeding the growth of the hemp industry, says the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance.

As part of Health Canada's current review of hemp regulations, the industry association is calling on the federal government to deregulate the production, processing and export of industrial hemp.

"We're looking for some significant changes. The biggest change is we're looking for hemp to be moved out from the auspices of Health Canada to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada," explains CHTA executive director Kim Shukla, who lives near Steinbach.

Unlike marijuana, industrial hemp contains little or no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but hemp production in Canada is still managed by Health Canada's Office of Controlled Substances.

Shukla says Health Canada's permitting and testing requirements are holding the industry back, which is why they want it to be treated like other mainstream crops under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

"We wouldn't have the regulations that are now part of Health Canada, and we would also be working with a group that understands the nature of agriculture, which is what hemp is all about," she adds.

The number of industrial hemp acres in Canada has grown from around eight thousand in 2008 to roughly 67 thousand in 2013. Based on gross returns between $700 and $1000 per acre, the CHTA projects hemp acres will exceed 100 thousand in the next year or two. The industry has also set a goal of 250 thousand acres by 2018.

"It is time for the Canadian government to release the unnecessary regulatory burden on industrial hemp and allow this important crop to flourish," says the CHTA's new president Russ Crawford, who also points out hemp does not use the traditional transportation system that is currently struggling to keep up with demand for moving other crops to market.

"We need government to facilitate that expansion, not constrain it," he says.

Health Canada's review of hemp regulations is being conducted in response to recommendations from the federal government's Red Tape Reduction Commission. Submissions can be made until December 20th.

11 named to Oregon hemp committee

By Eric Mortenson
Source: capitalpress.com

The state Department of Agriculture has named 11 members of Oregon's hemp rules advisory group.

One researcher, two potential growers, three product handlers and two state cops are among the people who will serve on Oregon’s industrial hemp advisory committee.

The group was appointed by the state Department of Agriculture to draft rules for growing and selling hemp, which advocates believe has wide food, fiber and oil uses and could be a lucrative alternative crop for farmers. The committee meets for the first time Dec. 17.

Members are Tomas Endicott of Willamette Biomass Processors, Gerry Shapiro of Merry Hempsters and Tim Pate, all described as handlers; growers Charles Ortiz and Rick Rutherford; Ian Tolleson of the Oregon Farm Bureau; Fred Testa and Matthew Lawson of the Oregon State Police; Hillary Barbour of U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer’s office and Kevin Moore of state Sen. Floyd Prozanski’s office; and Russ Karow, chair of the Crop and Soil Science Department at Oregon State University.

The Oregon Legislature legalized hemp cultivation in 2009, but the law was never implemented because the U.S. Department of Justice classified hemp the same as marijuana. Industrial hemp is low in THC, the agent that makes pot smokers high.

In August, the U.S. Department of Justice said it would not prosecute cases in states such as Washington and Colorado that have legalized pot and established a strong regulatory program. The U.S. attorney for Oregon said that means hemp is legal as well, because it was classified the same as pot.

The law passed by the Legislature requires all growers and handlers to get a license from the ag department, and said hemp fields have to be at least 2.5 acres. Ag inspectors would be allowed to take plant samples and test for THC levels. The cropwide average could not exceed .3 percent; pot has THC levels ranging from 5 percent to 20 percent, according to various sources.

Kentucky likely won't lead nation on hemp

By Gregory Hall
Source: courier-journal.com

Hopes of Kentucky being among the first states to plant a commercial hemp crop are waning, as officials here await more federal guidance on its legality even as other states — such as Colorado and Oregon — push ahead with plans for a crop next year.

While the U.S. Justice Department has indicated it won’t challenge marijuana legalization laws, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said last week that he wants to make sure that means the federal government won’t attempt to prosecute farmers here who grow hemp. While hemp and marijuana are classified the same by the federal government, hemp is of no use to someone trying to get high.

Comer hasn’t ruled out settling the federal question in time for a 2014 hemp crop in Kentucky, but he concedes it’s increasingly unlikely.

“We’re going to fight to try to get this industry here, but I don’t want to do anything that would put one farmer in jeopardy of losing their farm, or one processor in jeopardy of losing their investment by coming to this state, until we know for sure the federal government’s going to leave us alone,” Comer said.

Senate Bill 50, championed by Comer and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., provides a regulatory framework for hemp production in Kentucky — should the federal government legalize it. Since then, federal government officials have indicated that states that have legalized marijuana likely wouldn’t be interfered with, but no clear guidance has been given in relation to hemp.

Comer and some members of the state’s congressional delegation — including Paul — asked the Drug Enforcement Administration for clarification in a letter last month, but no response has been received.

Meanwhile, other states are pushing ahead.

For example, Colorado, which in 2012 passed an amendment allowing for medical marijuana and hemp, has set rules for its production that take effect Dec. 31. Farmers can register to grow hemp starting March 1, in time for a 2014 crop.

(A Colorado farmer produced a crop on his own this year, but it was not under the state program, said Ron Carleton, Colorado’s deputy commissioner of agriculture.)

In proceeding, Colorado is relying on guidance in an Aug. 29 Justice Department memorandum issued in response to a series of ballot initiatives across the country to legalize marijuana.

The memo doesn’t say marijuana is legal but says enforcement in states with strong regulatory systems could be left to those states — unless the activity touches on one of eight federal priorities, such as marijuana use on federal property, or distribution of marijuana to minors.

Carleton said his state is interpreting that the federal statement “was meant for hemp as well, not just marijuana.”

Oregon also is developing rules for hemp production. But a Nov. 8 letter from Oregon U.S. Attorney S. Amanda Marshall said the Controlled Substances Act still requires hemp growers to register with the DEA, a restriction that has effectively prevented industrial hemp from being grown under existing federal law.

Marshall said hemp is the same as marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act, so the eight priorities outlined in the federal memo would apply to hemp. “Outside of these stated priorities, we will continue what we have been doing since the passage of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act, relying on state and local authorities to address lower-level or localized marijuana activity through the enforcement of their own narcotics laws,” Marshall wrote.

Oregon Department of Agriculture spokesman Bruce Pokarney said he’s not sure whether rules there will be adopted in time for hemp to be planted in the spring, but that is the goal.

The status for growing hemp is — at best — unclear for Kentucky, which once was a leader in U.S. hemp production before the crop was made illegal.

Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway issued an opinion earlier this year, agreeing with the Kentucky State Police, that hemp was still illegal under federal law and that farmers growing it could be subject to prosecution.

Kentucky AG restates hemp is illegal; opposing top agriculture official

A DEA spokesman in Detroit, which covers Kentucky, agreed that farmers growing hemp would run the risk of arrest.

“If someone is growing large amounts of controlled substance — which in this case, under the letter of the law, hemp would be a controlled substance — certainly that would be a possibility,” said Special Agent Rich Isaacson of the DEA’s Detroit office that covers Kentucky. “And there’s nothing groundbreaking there. That’s just black and white.”

Isaacson said “even in those states where they have passed different marijuana legalization measures, we are still conducting investigations on large-scale groups that are manufacturing or trafficking in schedule one substances, including marijuana, and that would not be any different necessarily in Kentucky if there were large fields of cannabis sativa being manufactured.”

Issacson reiterated that production of hemp for industrial use would require a federal permit or registration.

A request for comment from David Hale, the U.S. attorney for the western half of Kentucky, was not immediately returned.

With that outlook, Comer said he isn’t comfortable proceeding until there’s some guidance from federal authorities specifically relating to Kentucky.

“We feel like Kentucky should be treated the same as a blue state like Colorado, so we’re going to keep trying to plead the case and hope that they’ll just give us some direction,” Comer said.

In the meantime, Comer plans to ask the next General Assembly to revise this year’s hemp law to put some of the regulatory processes for hemp in the Department of Agriculture rather than at the University of Kentucky, where legislators moved the state hemp commission in a compromise that helped pass the bill in the final minutes of this year’s session.

Even if Kentucky is third, Comer is optimistic about the prospects for hemp in Kentucky.

Spokeswoman Holly VonLuehrte said Comer believes that even if Kentucky isn’t the first state, it is best suited climate-wise and from its history for growing hemp. But — if it’s a niche industry as some suggest — it’s important to begin production early to get in line for processing plants that bring more jobs, she said.

University of Kentucky economists, projecting the outlook for Kentucky agriculture in 2014, did not make any predictions on whether hemp will be grown in Kentucky next year, nor did they factor it into projections of gross receipts released last week during the Kentucky Farm Bureau’s annual conference in Louisville.

“We expect it to get off to a slow start ... and not be a substantial contributor to Kentucky’s ag economy,” economist Leigh Maynard said. “It may be a profitable niche for some producers in the future. But there are a number of things that would delay any rapid expansion. There’s a learning curve behind producing any new crop,” besides competition from other fibers and other countries that produce hemp.

Comer concedes that even if farmers get to plant the crop next year, it’s “going to take about 10 years to develop that industry. It’s not going to happen overnight.”

Arris is launching a new subsidiary to focus on developing projects in the Hemp industry

Press Release
Source: gnom.es

ARRIS HOLDINGS INC. (“Arris” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that Mr. Charles Larsen has joined its board of directors, replacing Mr. Jack Bal who has agreed to step down. Mr. Larsen will also be replacing Ms. Sandy Janda as President and Chief Executive Officer.  Ms. Janda will remain on the board as an independent director.

Arris is launching a new subsidiary to focus on developing projects in the Hemp industry. Mr. Larsen will head this new subsidiary as well as Arris Holdings Inc. Mr. Larsen brings to Arris a great deal of experience and expertise in the Hemp industry. The appointment of Mr. Larsen to the board marks the beginning of a new era for Arris. The Company will immediately begin shifting its business model to focus on the emerging global hemp industry. This industry is poised for rapid growth in 2014 and beyond. The current global hemp market is currently estimated to be only $500-600 million with the potential however to grow tenfold in the next 3-5 years.

Arris will hold its Annual General Meeting on February 7, 2014 at which time shareholders will be requested to vote on a proposed name change to Global Hemp Group, Inc. and on a 5 for 1 forward stock split.

“I am looking forward to working with the Arris team which will soon be expanded with the addition of several business, political, and scientific experts as the Company moves forward into this rapidly emerging industry. Hemp has broad applications across all sectors and industries and is one of the most underutilized commodities in the world. Global Hemp Group, Inc. will create vertical integration all along the supply chain, helping this global industry expand at a rapid pace, with strength and stability, while creating jobs, generating taxable revenue and improving the environment.”, said Mr. Larsen.

Mr. Larsen has more than 30 years of experience working in government, public, private and start-up companies as an executive manager. He has experience in high volume securities trading; corporate and public debt, equities, options and futures, as well as being an experienced portfolio manager, securities trader and C level executive. Mr. Larsen has been involved in the highest levels of strategic planning, mergers & acquisitions, financial and operational restructuring, public and private corporate finance, governance and compliance. He has proven track record of success at every level of business management. Mr. Larsen is Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Hemp Industrial Innovation Institute (www.Hemp-iii.org) and he is an advisor to the North American Industrial Hemp Council (www.NAIHC.org).

Hemp - The ultimate cash crop, health food and environmental savior rolled into one

by: Carolanne Wright

Source: naturalnews.com

(NaturalNews) A new ecovillage in Scotland has utilized an innovative material within its structures - namely, negative carbon hemp. While most environmentally progressive buildings strive for a carbon neutral rank, these houses take eco-friendly a step further, literally pulling carbon dioxide from the air. But smart building materials aren't the only use for hemp, it's exceptionally handy in other areas as well. In fact, hemp is a wonder plant that has the potential to alleviate many of our health, financial and environmental problems across the nation, which makes the political resistance to its cultivation in the U.S. all the more perplexing.

A multitalented plant

The American founding fathers knew a good thing when they saw it, which is why each of them actively grew hemp on their own land. George Washington strongly believed that hemp could help win the war with Britain, while also providing the fledgling nation with an extraordinary cash crop. In contemporary times, it has been noted that one acre of hemp pumps out more oxygen than 25 acres of forested land. As an added perk, hemp grows easily in a variety of soils - without the need for pesticides. The many uses for hemp are quite impressive, including:

Building materials - Hemp is incredibly functional for building applications - from wall construction to flooring to roof insulation. A proprietary material called Hempcrete is completely recyclable, waterproof, fireproof, does not rot when above ground and resists mildew as well as mold.

Food - Containing 5 grams of protein, 86 mg of magnesium and 10 percent daily value of iron, a 1.5-tablespoon serving of hemp seed is hard to match. The seeds are also a terrific source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (EFAs), which help reduce inflammation, repair DNA damage and support healthy brain function. Hemp oil is another good source of these important EFAs.

Clothing - Dating back to 8,000 BCE China, hemp has a long history of textile use. The rugged fibers are an ideal material for shoes, jeans and athletic wear, although innovative designers are blending hemp with silk for a softer fabric.

Plastics - By striking a sledge hammer to the side of a car made of hemp and soy plastic, Henry Ford demonstrated its resiliency back in the 1940s. Currently, hemp is utilized in the manufacturing of CD and DVD cases, shower curtain liners and other small consumer products.

Paper - As a fast growing and sustainable plant, hemp is an exceptional renewable resource for paper production - much more so than trees.

Bio-fuel - The oil extracted from the hemp plant can be converted into biofuel - a cleaner-burning alternative to petroleum.

Toxic waste management - Acting like a sponge, hemp has been successfully used to absorb toxins and rehabilitate soil after chemical spills and nuclear accidents.

If hemp is so great, why isn't it planted everywhere?

Technically, it's not forbidden to grow industrial hemp in America - although the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) doesn't make it easy. Treehugger reports:

"Growing hemp is kind of like driving, you can't drive without a license and you can't grow hemp without a permit. The difference is that it is almost impossible to get a permit from DEA to grow hemp." - Vote Hemp.

And yet, "Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth and protection of the country," declared Thomas Jefferson. So it's curious that modern day red tape continues to hinder the cultivation of this cash crop in America, especially when hemp could easily solve many of our pressing nutritional, financial and environmental troubles.

Sources:

http://www.greenbuildingpress.co.uk

http://inhabitat.com

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://www.treehugger.com

http://www.hemp.net

About the author:
Carolanne enthusiastically believes if we want to see change in the world, we need to be the change. As a nutritionist, natural foods chef and wellness coach, Carolanne has encouraged others to embrace a healthy lifestyle of organic living, gratefulness and joyful orientation for over 13 years. Through her website www.Thrive-Living.net she looks forward to connecting with other like-minded people who share a similar vision. 

Raw Vegan Banana Hemp Seed Sushi Slices

Source: onegreenplanet.org

These Raw Vegan Banana Hemp Seed Sushi Slices are going to be one of the easiest snacks you’ll probably ever make.

It’s also one of my boys’ favorite snacks. A simple banana, peanut butter (or your favorite nut butter), and hemp seeds. They love them because they are shaped like real sushi slices, which they also happen to absolutely love. And…they are actually the ones who came up with the name “banana sushi.” They are just so darn cute too! You can make them in a matter of minutes and they provide lots of nutrition and energy in a bite-sized snack. I used organic peanut butter, but you could also just use your favorite nut butter. We eat so many hemp seeds that I buy the Nutiva brand in bulk in a 3 pound bag. I keep what we use on a daily basis in a glass mason jar with a BPA-free lid and store the rest in the freezer. Hemp seeds are really amazing.

They contain 11 g of raw vegan protein, 25 percent DV of zinc, 50 percent DV of magnesium, 50 percent DV of phosphorus, and 15 percent DV of iron.

I add them to smoothies, raw desserts and try to sprinkle them on whatever I can, especially salads.

Raw Vegan Banana Hemp Seed Sushi Slices

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 organic banana
• 1 – 2 tablespoon organic peanut butter (or other nut butter)
• 1 – 2 tablespoon organic hemp seeds (Nutiva brand)

PREPARATION:

1. Peel banana and spread peanut butter over the top half of the banana.
2. Sprinkle hemp seeds on top and slice into bite-sized pieces.
3. Enjoy!