Industrial hemp has played a significant role in American history. In fact, in the early 1700's American farmers in Virginia were required by law to grow it. Today, healthy and sustainable hemp products are sold across the country, but American farmers are prohibited from growing this crop.
Did you know that ice-cream, non-dairy beverages and protein powders can be made from nutritious hemp seeds? Or that body-care products like soaps, lotions, and lip balms contain hemp oil? And that hemp fibers can be made into environmental friendly paper, fabric and building materials?
Hemp History Week seeks to celebrate America's rich history with industrial hemp and generate strong support for the re-legalization of hemp farming.
Get involved with Hemp History Week today! [1]
Hemp History Week is a national grassroots education campaign, which is designed to renew strong support for hemp farming and processing in the U.S.
Did you know that America's history is rooted in growing hemp? Thomas Jefferson once said, "Hemp is of greatest importance to our nation," and yet today the U.S. is the only industrialized nation where growing hemp domestically is prohibited. That is why we are advocating that the U.S. federal government change its policy towards industrial hemp, which confuses oilseed and fiber varieties of Cannabis grown for food and industry with drug varieties of the plant.
Hemp History Week seeks to:
- Celebrate America's rich history surrounding hemp farming, processing and marketing before it was banned and to educate the public about the barriers to hemp farming in the United States.
- Engage consumers by highlighting the range of hemp products available and the nutritional as well as environmental benefits that they provide.
- Advocate for a federal policy change while sending a strong, positive message to President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder to end the ban on hemp farming and let farmers once again grow the versatile and profitable crop.
Hemp History Week will feature a national retailer program with over 500 participating stores, local events [2], hemp product sampling [3] and virtual postcard signing [4].
Supported by leading hemp manufacturers, natural foods retailers, celebrities, farmers, historians and hemp advocates, Hemp History Week is all about celebrating the goodness of hemp.
It's been over 50 years since the last commercial hemp crop was planted in the U.S. Help us 'Create Hemp History' once again. Please get involved today [1].
Take Action Today – Here's what you can do to help
Hemp History Week is about education and it's also about political action. We hope to generate 25,000 letters and emails addressed to President Obama and Attorney General Holder.
Please get involved today by taking the following quick and easy actions:
Send a Virtual Postcard [4] to President Obama and Attorney General Holder with Vote Hemp's email system.
Please remember to Sign the Petition [5] as well!
Write a letter or email to your representatives [6] asking them to support hemp farming.
Research your local hemp history by visiting your library, historical society and newspapers' online news archives to see when hemp was grown and/or processed in your state. Then share what you have learned with us and your friends. Spreading the word about the need to resume hemp farming in the U.S. will help build awareness around the issues.
Writing a letter to the editor [7] of your local newspaper(s) is also an excellent way to help educate people.
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