Hemp History Week, June 3-9, 2014, promotes the re-legalization of industrial hemp in the U.S.
AUSTIN — Every day, more and more Americans discover the environmental and health-related benefits of hemp (Cannabis sativa). Hemp products now include foods, body care products, textiles, paper goods, clothing, auto parts, building materials, and more.
But despite hemp’s growing popularity, the outdated, misguided federal policy of cannabis prohibition still prevents U.S. farmers from growing this versatile, valuable crop. The prohibition of hemp, the non-psychoactive sister plant of “marijuana,” may in fact have been the real reason the war against marijuana was launched in the 1930s by industrialists who feared hemp’s potential.
The mission of the Hemp Industries Association (HIA), a 501(c)(6) membership-based non-profit trade group, is to represent the interests of the hemp industry and encourage the research and development of new products made from industrial hemp, low-THC oilseed, and fiber varieties of Cannabis. HIA was instrumental in the recent passage of hemp-friendly provisions of the recently passed federal Farm Bill, although efforts to plant legal hemp crops under this bill are still being stymied by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
During the 5th annual observance of Hemp History Week, June 2-9, coordinated by the HIA, communities all over the country will host events celebrating hemp foods, cosmetics and skin products, fiber products, building materials, and more, in the hopes of gaining even more support for re-legalizing industrial hemp in the US.
- Rag Blogger Mariann Garner-Wizard will sell and sign copies of Hempseed Food: The Real Secret Ingredient for Health & Happiness on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at Wheatsville Food Co-op, 4001 South Lamar in Austin from 5–7 p.m., preceding a FREE showing of Bringing It Home, a new film telling the story of hemp past, present, and future. RSVP for the movie here.
- On Friday, June 7, Hemp History Week festivities continue at the New Braunfels Farmers Market, 148 S. Castell Ave., New Braunfels, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Garner-Wizard will talk briefly about hempseed nutrition a couple of times during the morning, then sign copies of her book, as a guest of Hemp360, a New Braunfels manufacturer of hemp-based cosmetics, skin and hair products, and more.
- Also, Austin’s Whole Foods Market is celebrating Hemp History Week “by spotlighting more than 300 hemp products, ranging from non-dairy milks and cereals to soaps and supplements.”
For Hemp History Week events in other areas, visit the Hemp History Week website.
Also see Kate Braun’s Rag Blog review of Mariann Garner-Wizard’s Hempseed Food.
