BastCore bets big on hemp

摘要

Hemp has a long history as a raw material for American industry. Jamestown settlers introduced hemp to colonial America in the early 1600s for rope, paper, and other fiber-based products; they even imposed fines on those who didn't produce the crop themselves. U.S. presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp.The U.S. Constitution and flag, two of America's most cherished symbols, were made of hemp before it was prohibited. Industrial hemp growing was an important part of American agriculture, and farmers were encouraged by the government.Hemp was a prominent crop in the United States until 1937, when the Marijuana Tax Act virtually obliterated the American hemp industry. During World War II, the crop saw a resurgence in the U.S., as it was used extensively to make military items including uniforms, canvas, and rope. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) even released a short documentary, "Hemp for Victory," in 1942, which promoted the plant as a useful crop for the war cause.