The History of Hemp

You've just returned from a wonderful picnic in the park. You start to unpack and you notice that your brand new tote bag has a tear in it. A month later, when the tear becomes a hole, you'll have to throw it (and the bundle of cash you paid for it) away . That sporty new day pack you bought isn't looking so great either. Recently, it has become mildewed, discolored and abraded. Will it's fate be any different? In a world of tears, rips and holes, what is one to do? The answer for your troubles is ages old. It actually dates back to 450 BC when the Scythians and Thracians made linens out of hemp. Hemp has been used to make sails and rigging since the 15th century. Levi Strauss made jeans for the miners of the Sierra out of hemp fibers. The Declaration of Independence was drafted on hemp paper. So what happened to this wonderful product?

Since 1950, the American government has classified all grades of hemp as marijuana which has prevented its production in the United States. The type used for marijuana has a high THC (the chemical that creates euphoria ) content and is bred to have many leaves and buds. Industrial grades have a tenth to a fiftieth the amount of THC and contain high levels of CBD which counteract the effect of THC as well a being designed to have longer stalks and fewer leaves. However, true Hemp (cannabis sativa) fibers are several times stronger than cotton since the fibers of hemp run the length of the stalk which can be as long as 15 feet. Cotton fibers tend to be only a few inches long. This is why hemp bags are much more resistant to tears and abrasions than cotton bags. Everyone knows how durable and strong canvas is. The word canvas originates from the word cannabis because the earliest canvas sails were made from hemp.

These qualities also make articles made from hemp more resistant to soiling, mildew, shrinkage and sun damage. These are important qualities when deciding what to carry your most important items in. Laptop computers, items from a shopping trip down main street or provisions for a long hiking trip are all things we feel are essential to protect when traveling. Messenger bags, tote bags and saddle bag day packs made from hemp fibers are great choices for these activities. The icing on the cake is that these bags are very environmentally friendly. Hemp is the premier sustainable textile. Sustainable refers to a resource that is not able to be depleted by its very nature or the method of harvesting used. Hemp does not require chemicals to remove the lignin (the glue which holds the plant cells together) for bleaching. An acre of hemp can produce three times as much fiber than an acre of cotton and cotton requires 25% of the worlds use of pesticide, where hemp is naturally resistant to pests. Carrying a hemp bag, you will have the knowledge that not only are you sporting the strongest and most durable article you could choose to protect your valuables, you will also be doing your part to protect the earth, which is arguably the most valuable thing you can protect.

For more information regarding hemp products, such as hemp purses, wallets and packs, http://www.artisangear.com