Alex Rose-Innes
Hemp had, until now, already been used in the production of textiles, paper, medicine and even food. There is scientific proof that cannabis could even become a source of biodiesel, powering homes and vehicles.
BLURB:
Misunderstanding of hemp/cannabis, still exists. According to top scientists, cannabis oil (CBD) is without the mind-altering tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). While both substances are found in the genus, Cannabis and are all classified as Cannabinoids, without THC it becomes a 100% natural medical treatment for humans and animals alike. THC is for those who wish to experience a high, while CBD is used purely for health purposes.
Hemp originated from Asia and India and from there spread around the globe. For aeons, its fibres were used to produce ropes, cloth and paper, with cannabis seeds were used in production of protein-rich food and feed. Interest in hemp declined when other threads replaced hemp. Abuse of the plant as a drug led to its ban by the United Nations in the Sixties. When the ban was revoked within the 1990’s, its uses came under the spotlight again.
Because of a global interest in the use of industrial hemp across many industries, much research had gone into its potential uses and it had proved to be ideal in downscaling the production and use of harmful fossil fuels so destructive to the Earth.
Using oil extracted from crushed hemp seeds, 97% was converted into biodiesel. The process, called trans-esterification, had passed individual global laboratory testing criteria, even indicating that hemp could be used at a lower temperature than any other form of biodiesel.
As global stakeholders realise the benefits of hemp biodiesel, further research indicated that it could be safely transported with a vehicle’s emergency kit across areas where no fuel stations are available.
As most plants can be converted into biofuel, these need fertile and specific soil conditions to grow. Hemp can grow in infertile soils, meaning growers need not sacrifice fertile, arable land. High-quality land could be kept for crops. With hemp requiring no compost, less energy and very little water, it had become the future of the planet.
Furthermore, being immune to pests, drought and erosion, it had proved to be able to survive anywhere, be it across the arid African continent or poor third-world countries across the globe.
Scientists maintain that the energy yield of hemp for biofuel creation is similar or even superior to most energy crops, strengthening its position against maize and other plants for solid biofuel production. With an unusually high biomass yield and ability to easily fit into existing crop rotations, hemp is predicted to enrich and exceed different energy crops.
As bio energy is the fastest-growing source of renewable energy, agriculture’s role in growing hemp could decrease depleting fossil resources and mitigate global climate change. With industrial hemp’s low environmental impact and high-yielding energy crops, the huge amount of water needed and the displacement of people to find arable land, these had been realised as just two more of its highly beneficial, future use.
The car industry’s interest promoted its use as it searched for alternative sources of light fibre. However, industrial hemp cultivation remains prohibited in some advanced countries such as Norway and the USA. Unfortunately, the energy use of commercial hemp is still minimal and few countries had commercialised it as an energy crop. Sweden manufactures a small amount of hemp briquettes, selling it across regional markets.
Being more environmentally friendly to use fibres, oils, and other hemp compounds, even its waste products are put to good use.
Research had shown the vast potential of hemp as an energy crop, but it is up to governments and major stakeholders to ensure hemp-powered cars and homes within the near future.
