Chapter 1

Hemp - Past, Present and Future

Hemp or Cannabis sativa is the only species in the Canabaceae family. Its closest relative is the hops plant. This tall, vigorous annual that often reaches a height of over four metres at maturity is named hemp to indicate the non-drug variety. Throughout wide cultivation over many thousands of years this dioecious (both male and female) plant has adapted to most climates. Only recently has hemp been re-discovered as a valuable part in various industries, particularly as a nutritional bases for some tasty foods.

Past

It is not clear from literature exactly where the cannabis varieties originated from or even where and when they were first used by humans, for any purpose, though it is thought that Asia is the mother home.

It has been documented that the ancient Chinese were eating hemp seed (which is actually not a seed but a nut) up to 8000 years ago. The Indian Vedas praised cannabis as able to provide everything from good health to a channel to their gods. Buddhist tradition holds that Buddha ate one hemp seed a day during the six steps of asceticism that led to his enlightenment.

Hemp cropping made its first appearance during the Neolithic (Stone Age) period around 5740 BC. Hemp is also documented as the first known cultivated crop in Japan during the Jomon period of 5500 BC. (In Japan, the Emperor wore hemp clothes made by the imperial family named Shikoku in a ceremony called Daijosai.)

Archaeologists have found evidence of hemp seed stored as a grain in both Europe and China, alongside the familiar barley and oats.

The western world's first historian, Heodoties, recorded the use of hemp in the manufacture of linen in Scythia. His record was confirmed by the discovery of hemp seed at the ancient Scythian city of Tractemino in approximately 800 BC.

The records of a Chou Dynasty state banquet (circa 1000 BC) show that boiled hemp seeds were served on cereal dishes. Dishes of roasted hemp seeds were popular with the Jews in medieval times. Hemp is described in "The Li Qui", an early Chinese manuscript of social ritual (221-207 BC) as one of the 'five grains' of China - 'the land of Hemp and Mulberry', along with barley, rice, wheat and soybeans, thus placing it highly in terms of the sustenance of the Empire.

Hemp is mentioned in the ancient Sanskrit manuscripts under the name of Bhanga Indracana, meaning food of the Gods and Ananada, spring of life. Locally grown and pressed hemp seed oil was the sole domestic cooking oil in the outback of Nepal. The Altai, nomads of Northern Russia, cultivated early hemp crops in approximately 300 BC. They used hemp as a food source, rather than as a fibre crop, mainly relying on the oil. Its concentrated protein made it a valuable food that was also relatively easy to transport.

In 1492 Christopher Columbus brought hemp seeds to the Indians. Jean-Francois Rabelais, a great 16th century French author said that cannabis was the king of the vegetable world or "Pantagruelion" - meaning 'feast' showing that cannabis seeds were part of a great meal. Throughout the world and throughout history, hemp has been used as a staple food. This interesting past has led to some interesting stories. etc. ...