Economic advantages also make the cultivation of hemp appealing, as sales from Hemp products have grown expeditiously, with sales in Colorado reaching “$238 million in 2018, up 57% from 2017” (New Hope Network, 2019). In July 2020, a consumer and market intelligence group conducted research that found estimated Hemp sales in 2019 reaching over $4 billion and estimating that by 2025 that growth would increase to over $16 billion (Brightfield Group).

More economic advantages will be discussed but troubles remain constant for both harvesters and owners of hemp-related businesses. For instance, hemp growers are often denied crop insurance and banks will decline working with any business that’s related to cannabis “simply for having the word marijuana in their name – regardless if the business sells it or grows it or merely promotes it” (Hobbs, p.55).

While the previous examples reflect benefits of the hemp plant and challenges for growers and owners of hemp businesses, more information follows that illustrate why now is the time to move forward to harvest, manufacture, and produce hemp-based products, for the benefits to humanity, community, and the world are quite compelling.  

If they only knew.

American society has not always harbored such a strong cannabis aversion. In fact, for many centuries, cannabis was utilized for medicinal purposes (Bridgeman & Abazia, 2017). The New World’s early settlers were incentivized to grow and distribute hemp by local governments in New England and surrounding regions. For over 200 years, hemp was grown throughout the colonies and even used as a tender offer or tax payment.  Multiple founding fathers spoke very positively of hemp and participated in planting and harvesting it (Will, 2004).

During this time, hemp was a staple fiber used all over the world for clothing, textiles, paper and even building materials (Herer, 2021). Cannabis extracts were common ingredients in medicines. Hempseed and its oils were used for food and fuel (Hobbs, 2019). It’s hypothesized that well over 20,000 different products have been created from the hemp plant (Johnson, 2018; Woodall & Corsalini, 2022).  While widely grown and incorporated into all sorts of daily products, only one Hemp product derived from hemp is FDA approved in the United States. Epideolex is a prescription medication made from cannabinoids that treats epilepsy (Bauer, 2020). Research conducted in other countries, however, have shown isolated Hemp beneficial in helping to treat fifty medical conditions, such as addiction, asthma, kidney disease, among others (Hobbs, 2019). Hemp is also versatile and comes from one of earth’s most botanically advanced plant families. An extremely efficient and hardy grower in virtually all climates, it is easy to cultivate and process, even in developing civilizations (Woodall & Cosalini, 2019).

In the early 1900’s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture discussed the future of hemp-related equipment and how advancing technology would make it one of American agriculture’s most prolific industries (Dewey & Merrill, 1916). When the 1930s approached, things seemed on track to do just that. However, in 1937 a mainstream corporate giant who patented the process for making plastics from oil and coal understood its role in minimizing the benefits of hemp during the post-industrial era (Beach, 2021).  Corporate leaders recognized how advantageous industrialized hemp would be for farmers, manufacturers, and distributors not to mention consumers, but they also realized its detrimental effect on the plastic industry, their industry. Before this period, lack of proper equipment was preventing hemp from being a dominant commercial industry. The invention of a machine called the decorticator, which assisted in the removal of the tough fibers from the stem for processing, was about to change all that (Beach, 2021) Thus, many political and corporate players with self-interest agendas pushed cannabis hemp out of social, political, and economic approbation (Herer, 2021).

There were also multiple powerful corporations in the oil space who were well-aware of the inexpensive and efficient ways to produce hemp-derived menthol fuel. In fact, Henry Ford grew cannabis on his estate to experiment with methanol production. He even constructed some of his earliest cars with materials derived from hemp and other plant-based materials (Herer, 2021).

As the industrial revolution occurred, corporations became more powerful. Standard oil was by far the cheapest fuel source on the market, so companies benefiting from oil wealth were intent on maintaining ultimate presence in that space.  Thus, pushing for hemp to be dismantled by the federal government became the goal. This trend of cheap oil continued until competition for more sustainable fuel sources disappeared, and then oil prices skyrocketed (Hobbs, 2019).

The first national regulation on cannabis happened in 1937 under the Marihuana Tax Act which placed a substantial tax on all sales: medicinal, recreational, and industrial. The American Medical Association fought against this act, citing cannabis’ already established medicinal usages and untapped potential requiring ongoing research (Woodward, 1937).        

Waves of anti-cannabis propaganda, fear-mongering, and deliberate misinformation clouded the airwaves and media venues (Berry, 2022). In 1974, researchers from Tulane University studied the effects the use of marijuana had on monkeys and shared findings that indicated the detrimental effect on their brains, but noted they were unsure of its impact on humans (Rensberger, 1978). What was later learned is that researchers pushed high volumes of marijuana smoke through a mask that ultimately resulted in the suffocation of those monkeys (Herer, 2021).

Many battles waged in the multi-generational war against hemp. The rise of other fossil fuel and petroleum-based industries, such as the plastic sector, prompted even more motive for powerful entities to keep society uninformed about hemp and its many advantages, which has resulted in a widely misinformed or unaware public (Berry, 2022). Hemp is believed to be the single most useful and versatile plant on the planet by those who have engaged in hemp research and understand its benefits (Woodall & Corselini, 2022).

Today, the year of two thousand twenty-two, our society is struggling greatly in many ways. Our environment is suffering due to excess carbon and fossil fuels in the atmosphere. Our fossil fuels are a huge contributor to this.  We need them, but it’s important to know they are finite. Nearly all our clothing, textiles, and other consumer goods are produced inefficiently, resulting in much waste, and we continue consuming nonrenewable resources at a high rate. We have an overwhelmed healthcare system still looking for more natural and healthy solutions to ever-increasing psychological and physical ailments.

Consider if hemp was never illegalized. It would almost certainly have remained a mainstay in all types of industrial, medicinal, and nutritional applications. Individual citizens would likely have benefitted from several of these uses over time. Our population is growing, yet our landmass and natural resources are not. As alternatives run out, now is the time to find solutions, which remain the goal of Tree of Life Operating and its subsidiaries.

Section 1

Hemp as a Source of Health and Wellness

Cannabis hemp is a long-time staple in the medicinal sphere. In the U.S. alone, medicines made with hemp and cannabinoid extracts ranked first through third of all prescribed medicines from 1842 until the 1890s (Woodall & Corsalini, 2022). They remained a common ingredient found in both prescriptions and over-the-counter medications until its illegalization (Herer, 1998).

The official U.S. Pharmacopoeia listed cannabis as the primary medicine for over 100 unique ailments from 1850 to 1937. It was in 1937 when the American Medical Association vocally fought against the Marihuana Tax Act (Woodward, 1937). Their membership argued such taxation would hinder cannabis’ already established medicinal usages and untapped potential requiring ongoing research. Additionally, the legislative counsel of the Association argued that no evidence exists “that the medicinal use of these drugs has caused or is causing cannabis addiction” (para. 2).

For over 3,500 years of recorded history, hemp was undeniably one of the most widely utilized plants for medicinal purposes (Herer, 2019; Woodall & Corsalini, 2022) People from Europe, India, the Middle and Near East and Africa all revered this plant as a prized healing ingredient. With hemp production expanding to other countries including the United States, the largest importers of hemp products, receiving most of its seed and fiber, were Canada and China, respectively (Schluttenhofer & Yuan, 2017).

Dr. Rapheal Mechoulam (2012), an organic chemist and professor of medicinal chemistry, stated that cannabis could replace 10-20% of all prescription drugs.  As more research is conducted, he believes that anywhere from 40-60% of all medicine could contain at least some degree of cannabinoid extracts (Hasse, 2020).  Over 400 distinct compounds have been isolated from the plant since 1964 with at least 60 of those compounds having therapeutic benefits (Atakan, 2012).  

What we do know about hemp and cannabinoid in relation to medicinal and therapeutic usages are that both Hemp and THC relieve pain as they interact with cannabinoid receptors on the brain. They are especially effective when it comes to alleviating pain caused by nerve damage and inflammation. They are as powerful as opioids for short and long-term pain relief (Woodall & Corsalini, 2022).  

Contrary to the use of a natural plant for medicinal purposes, people are concocting potions using dangerous chemicals. For instance, anyone with ability to access the internet can learn how to make dangerous drugs. For instance, meth is an additive drug that’s relatively easy to make. You can search for a “how to” lesson on YouTube. Interestingly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wrote a 64-page document to provide guidance to government agencies on meth and fentanyl cleanup. Perhaps if hemp were not illegalized, various components could have been used to treat severe pain or manage pain as one recovers from surgery or an injury and no cleanup would be necessary.

Pain relief remains of special interest to both patients and the professional medical community. Cannabis hemp has a solution for this. Some say it is as powerful as opioids for short- and long-term pain relief (Carroon, et al, 2017).

Why is this a big deal?

According to statistics from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2022), opioid use has now become a crisis in our country. While effective at relieving pain, opioids are addictive pharmaceuticals. 2018 data reveal that two out of every three drug-related deaths involved opioids. From 2017 to 2018, millions of grant dollars were issued to combat the growing opioid crisis, fourteen thousand plus drug treatment facilities were opened across our nation, and over one and a quarter million people were being treated with pharmaceuticals for their addiction. Naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, doubled. In recent years, U.S. medicine has seemingly had a love affair with opioids, leading to our current addiction crisis (Peachman, 2019).

Cannabis hemp, on the other hand, has few side effects, some of which are beneficial, such as reducing nausea, preventing vomiting, and increasing one’s appetite (Carroon, et al, 2017). What’s more is its effectiveness.  According to a 2017 research survey, 81% of respondents who had used opioids in the past six months reported that cannabis was more effective alone than in combination with opioids. As many as 87% agreed they could decrease opioid usage when utilizing cannabis (Reiman, Welty & Solomon, 2017).

Neurological and psychological

Finding relief for stress is one of the most common medicinal uses for cannabis hemp. According to Lutz and DeWit, low doses of THC was effective at alleviating stress and promoting relaxation (2018). There were also no significant differences in cortisol levels, heart rate, or blood pressure before, during, or after dosages. Other research has also found it to be similarly successful for sleep (Berry, 2022). Keep in mind that in using these applications, side effects are practically non-existent. Compare this to some of the current offerings on the market to treat sleep and anxiety-related issues. Valium and Prozac are two of the most prescribed drugs. Valium has many side effects, but a physician will prescribe if he believes the benefits outweigh the side effects. The same is true for Prozac, an anti-depressant. It is prescribed for those suffering from not only depression but obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks, and some eating disorders.  According to Reeves & Ladner, this drug has also been found to have several side effects “including suicidal ideation and suicide action along with birth defects and serotonin syndrome (2010).

Cannabis, marijuana specifically, has been called a “gateway drug” to addictive substances (Herer, 2019). Contrarily, during the late 1800s, it was widely used in America as a treatment for addictions to opiates, chloral hydrate, even alcohol, among others. Woodall & Corsalini (2022) share many benefits of hemp including how the use of “Hemp has shown efficacy in reducing heroin cravings and drug-seeking behavior (p. 54). According to Bitencourt & Takahashi (2018), hemp, specifically Hemp, is also used to treat psychological illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Some research suggests that taking Hemp immediately after trauma may reduce the likelihood of developing troubling memories that lead to PTSD symptoms in the first place. There is still much to learn about the psychological benefits of Hemp and THC.

Many users have delivered testimonials about the benefits of both Hemp and THC. Former Navy Seal and founder of his own company The Hemp Path, Mike Donnelly and his wife conducted research on the benefits of Hemp.  They spoke with “veterans […] were taking [Hemp] routinely, and every one of them said that it improved their quality of life. I have a friend who had part of his leg cut off and was in a really bad place. He swears the day he got on Hemp, it saved his life” (Evans, 2020).

Peachman (2019) described the many life challenges experienced by Nika Beamon, an opioid addict who was once heavily dependent on opioids to manage her chronic pain. Her pharmacist recommended Hemp, as “growing research suggests that Hemp may help ease pain, seizures, and anxiety” (p. 1). Using tinctures, she would consume multiple drops multiple times during the day. She claims the “results were ‘revolutionary.” Beamon acknowledges the benefits of Hemp, relieved that she now sleeps all night and is no longer waking up to pain. Additionally, she’s no longer addicted to opioids, which is comforting. Although more research is needed, many medical experts have seen a significant drop in opioid prescriptions (Reiman, Welty & Solomon, 2017).

Hemp provides multiple health and wellness benefits that come with few negative side effects. It is also shown to be beneficial for children since it does not affect cognitive processes. There is work to be done but much promise can be realized as research continues.

Section 3

Hemp for nutrition and cosmetics

The hempseed is unlike any other seed in the world. Extremely versatile in a way that’s like soybeans, this small but powerful seed is packed with health benefits when consumed or used as a topical cosmetic treatment.

Nutritional

The nutritional component of hemp is one of the lesser-known wellness applications, but it’s certainly one worth exploring. Hempseed is not your typical oilseed; it is the highest of any plant for essential fatty acids. In fact, it contains all the essential amino and fatty acids of necessary to support human life (Woodall & Corsalini, 2019). It is believed that hemp is the only plant source that provides complete protein – in a highly digestible form – and essential oils necessary to sustain human life. Like many seeds, hempseed is also very high in fiber (WebMD 2020).

One of the beauties of hempseed is its versatility. It can be turned into milk, flour, cooking oil, and even butter. It can also be baked, dried, and cooked and eaten like many breakfast favorites including granola and cereal. For anyone wanting to incorporate hempseed into their diets, they are bound to find some way to utilize it that best fits their needs and tastes. And it’s not just people who stand to benefit – hempseed can also be a nutritional ingredient in pet food and livestock feeds.

In addition to meeting basic nutritional needs, hempseed also has some wellness and medicinal properties when consumed. Due to its anti- inflammatory nature, it can alleviate arthritis and joint pain, promote heart health, and strengthen the immune system (Hobbs, 2019). Hempseed is also rich in fiber and an excellent promotion of gut health. The oil, with its rich amino acids, is also great for growing stronger hair, skin, and nails (Woodall & Corsalini, 2019).

Cosmetology

Another important wellness component of hemp is its cosmetic benefits. When added to topical cosmetics, such as lotions, balms, creams, soaps and more, both hempseed oil and Hemp extracts provide a powerful boost for several reasons. They are rich in Vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium, all beneficial for healthier skin. They include anti-inflammatory properties that can carry over to external applications. It also serves as a moisturizer that can be easily and safely absorbed into the skin (WebMD, 2020).

Additionally, Hemp-infused products have been known to preserve the skin, protect it from environmental damage such as UV rays, prevent and treat acne, and help remove damaging agents from the body, serving as an antioxidant. Skin conditions that have been successfully treated include eczema, psoriasis, infection, and allergies (Woodall & Corsalini, 2022).

The profound positive impact hempseed has on the human body is remarkable. One could argue that it rightfully deserves a place among the many “super foods” that are popularized in the media today. Hempseed- and Hemp-derived products for health and wellness will significantly impact the beauty industry. Natural remedies for aging, skin conditions, and protection from the environment will be available for all consumers at an affordable price.  Additionally, the environment will be protected from inefficient operations, pollutants, and unnecessary waste.  

Section 4

Hemp: The missing ingredient to long-lasting sustainability

One cannot discuss the societal impact of hemp without addressing its significant impact on long-term sustainability. Not only is hemp easy to produce with low inputs relative to other common crops, but it also has massive carbon-free potential as a source for biofuel and can even begin to undo the human-influenced climate destruction (Das et al, 2020).

People have known hempseed oil has the potential to be a potent fueling source for some time. When the 1930s approached, the possibility of a sustainable fuel industry seemed on track. However, at this same time mainstream corporate giants, the one who patented the process to make plastics from oil and coal in 1937, were rising to power during this post-industrial era. Many of their leadership seemed to recognize the many advantages hemp would have if it became fully industrialized. Even the Ford Company grew cannabis and experimented with methanol production. Some of their earliest cars were made with materials derived from hemp and other plant-based materials. In fact, the original Model T was designed to run on either gasoline or hemp biofuels (Herer, 2019).

Unfortunately, as the industrial revolution hit and corporations grew in profits and thus power, standard oil was by far the cheapest fuel source on the market. Production, power, and transportation sectors never experienced the fullness of clean, hemp-based energy. Many who understand the many uses of the hemp plant question what our climate and environment would look like today if this natural product was used as a primary source of fuel and power, noting it can provide the same amount of energy minus the harmful pollutants (Herer, 2019).

A greener fuel source

As rising greenhouse gases continue to be a concern throughout the world, fossil fuels are under increasing scrutiny. For years experts have sought alternative fuel sources that are fully renewable (Yonavjak, 2013).  With hemp-based biofuels, the solution has been here all along. Scaling this industry, educating consumers, and promoting acceptance to build an infrastructure that would support this solution are forthcoming.

Hemp biofuel scored some major points after researchers from the University of Connecticut shared their work. Their tests found that hemp biodiesel had an extremely high efficiency of conversion from hemp oil (97%). Results showed that it might even be able to be used at lower temperatures than any other biodiesels currently in production (Buckley, 2010). 

Hempseed, hemp leaves and fibers – the entire biomass – can all be utilized in the manufacturing of different biofuels. Biodiesel can be derived from the seed oil and ethanol/methanol can be manufactured when the rest of the biomass is fermented. Besides being an abundant resource, hemp is also very cost effective in manufacturing (Palmer, 2011).

The University of Kentucky also studied the best hemp cultivars for biofuel production, examining both hempseed oil and fiber. They found returns on production of $1,564 and $1,482 per hectare respectively at the different cultivars they examined. Hemp has a very comparable profile to other bioenergy crops. It excels in the sheer amount of biomass produced on a per-hectare basis (Das, et al, 2020).

Undoing climate damage

While helping to reduce our fossil fuel consumption is certainly a positive step towards a brighter future, we must educate our citizens on sustainable methods that will lead to a healthier natural environment, methods such as simply harvesting hemp.  This is an efficient mechanism for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the environment and keeping it contained. Every ton of hemp can absorb up to 1.63 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere. This doesn’t even factor how healthy soil, which can be supported by beneficial plants like hemp, can also store carbon. Hemp, with its deep and strong roots, has many positive effects on soil conservation (Yonavjak, 2013).

A building material that is good for the environment is Hempcrete, a powerful bio composite building material. It’s very versatile and serves as a temperature regulator. Normal concrete buildings leave behind a heavy carbon footprint. Hempcrete, on the other hand, is carbon free and sustainably produced. This product cuts back on costly insulation. It also retains and holds the CO2 absorbed by the plant because it’s made from it (Matloff, 2020). 

Reducing environmental impacts

There are also many indirect ways that hemp can alleviate the toll on the climate. For example, hemp-derived bioplastics are fully biodegradable. Unlike most petroleum and fossil fuel-based plastics, hemp bioplastic emits no dangerous toxins into the atmosphere during production and leaves behind no harmful chemicals (Buckley, 2010; Yas, et al, 2020).  

In the fabric and textile industries, hemp could also play a significant role in reducing water consumption. Not only does cotton consume much more water than hemp, but it also produces only about half the amount of fiber per acre. Hemp requires significantly less water (and harmful chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer) than cotton and produces about double the fiber (Palmer, 20011).

Another sustainable use for hemp fibers can be found in paper making (Ganeriwala, 2020). Hemp fibers can be processed into very high-quality papers that are durable and useful. Not only is hemp renewable at a much quicker rate than trees, but it is also more efficient and cleaner in the paper making process. Additionally, hemp paper has minimal leftover pulp and production emissions. It also doesn’t require the usual toxic chlorine bleaching that comes from tree made paper.

Hemp has numerous properties that favor its use as a papermaking raw material. About one-third of the fiber of the hemp stalk, that originates from the outer layers or ‘bark’ is moderately long, which is a desirable quality for developing the high-strength paper. Also, the proportion of lignin throughout the stalk is lower than in wood, a quality that favors high pulp yields. (Ganeriwala, 2020)

Moving ahead

Hemp, which is estimated to be capable of creating approximately 25,000 different products (Yonavjak, 2013; Woodall & Corsalini, 2019) has a plethora of uses and a smaller strain on the environment compared to conventional fossil fuel-based production. Not only does this mean higher quality products with a lesser environmental cost, but it also supports environmentally sound and regenerative farming practices.

With its high yields per acre, low inputs required, and strong roots that promote healthy soil, it can be easily incorporated into all scales and sizes of agriculture production. Best of all, it provides producers, companies, and consumers with the peace of mind that they are helping the planet at the same time. As alternatives run out, now is the time to find solutions, which is what Tree of Life Operating is committed to doing. We are providing solutions, beginning with what matters most: people!

Our goal is to change the stigma through education and create a sustainable business that will benefit people, providing products that can be accessed from anywhere and bringing people together to connect, network, and build a community of friends to whom to turn for support, information, and friendship.