November 9, 2010 – While the food versus fuel debate continues to put crop-based biofuel production on the back burners it might just be Cannabis sativa that blazes the competition. Researchers at University of Connecticut have found that industrial hemp has properties that make it viable and even attractive as a raw material, or feedstock, for producing biodiesel. Hemp biodiesel has shown a high efficiency of conversion (97 percent) and has passed laboratory’s tests, even showing properties that suggest it could be used at lower temperatures than any biodiesel currently on the market.

The plant’s ability to grow in infertile soils also reduces the need to grow it on primary croplands, which can then be reserved for growing food according to Richard Parnas, a professor of chemical, materials, and biomolecular engineering at UConn.

“For sustainable fuels, often it comes down to a question of food versus fuel,” said Parnas, noting that major current biodiesel plants include food crops such as soybeans, olives, peanuts, and rapeseed. “It’s equally important to make fuel from plants that are not food, but also won’t need the high-quality land.”

Cannabis sativa is known for it’s ability to grow like a “weed” in many parts of the world, needing little fertilizers, or high-grade inputs to flourish. But the seeds, which house the plant’s natural oils, are often discarded. Parnas points out that this apparent waste product could be put to good use by turning it into fuel.

“If someone is already growing hemp they might be able to produce enough fuel to power their whole farm with the oil from the seeds they produce. The fact that a hemp industry already exists means that a hemp biodiesel industry would need little additional investment,” he said.

Although growing hemp is not legal in the U.S., Parnas hopes that the team’s results will help to spur hemp biodiesel production in other parts of the world. And while the Proposition 19 ballot in California to legalize Marijuana was defeated last week, the pathways have been opened for more discussion on Cannabis sativa production in the U.S..

As for other industries that utilize Cannabis plants, Parnas makes a clear distinction between industrial hemp, which contains less than one percent psychoactive chemicals in its flowers, and some of its cousins, which contain up to 22 percent.

“This stuff,” he pointed out, “won’t get you high.” By Grant Banks. Source.

Nov. 3, 2010 – SAN FRANCISCO, – The 17th annual convention of the Hemp Industries Association (HIA)will be held on November 8th at the Holiday Inn Civic Center in San Francisco, CA. The HIA represents a fast growing and environmentally sustainable industry that is creating new jobs, with an estimated $400 million in sales in 2009, despite a federal policy that outlaws hemp farming. Business leaders of the North American hemp industry will meet in San Francisco to map out plans for bringing back hemp farming in the United States, to present updates on industry developments, and to share new data about expanding markets.

The long-lost diaries of former USDA Chief Botanist Lyster Dewey, discovered by the HIA and featured in The Washington Post during the first annual Hemp History Week in May 2010, will be on display at the convention as an example of the organization’s recent efforts to educate the public about America’s rich history with industrial hemp, despite over 50 years having passed since the last commercial hemp crop was grown in the United States. The diaries and personal photos of the USDA’s top expert on fiber production for more than 40 years reveal a treasure trove of information on hemp farming research by the U.S. Government from the 1890s to the 1940s. Excerpts of the newly discovered diaries will be read aloud by HIA Executive Director, Eric Steenstra, and will be available for viewing by convention attendees and members of the media.

Speakers at this year’s HIA convention will include natural product industry leaders, such as David Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps and Heather Howitt, founder of Oregon Chai and Meriwether Group. The convention will also feature branding expert David Gauger of Gauger + Associates as well as Mario Machnicki, an expert in green building who will address the benefits of hemp-based concrete in building construction.

Confirmed 2010 HIA Annual Convention Speakers are as follows:

David Bronner, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps – Going Fair Trade: The Challenges of Setting Up Sustainable and Fair Supply Chains and Having Them Certified

David Gauger,Gauger + Associates – Strategies for Branding Hemp Products

Anndrea Hermann,Hemp Oil Canada – Canadian & Hemp Farming Update

John Roulac, Nutiva – Success and Growth in the Natural Products Industry

Heather Howitt, Meriwether Group – Venture Capital & Entrepreneurship

Mario Machnicki, American Limetec – Hemcrete® and the Potential Market for Hemp in Building Construction

Christina Volgyesi,HIA – Hemp History Week 2010 Report and 2011 Update

Eric Steenstra, Executive Director of HIA – Presenting the Diaries and Photos of former USDA Chief Botanist, Lyster Dewey

The convention will also include a presentation on plans for the second annual national public education campaign, Hemp History Week–May 2-8, 2011. Designed to renew strong support for the re-legalization of industrial hemp farming in the United States, the first annual event was a success with nearly 200 events in 32 states nationwide. Supported by leading natural product brands such as Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, French Meadow Bakery, Manitoba Harvest, Merry Hempsters, Nature’s Path, Nutiva, Living Harvest Foods and Sequel Naturals, the second annual campaign aims to feature events nationwide with the participation of over 500 retail stores across the country. The campaign is endorsed by Dr. Andrew Weil and Supermarket Guru Phil Lempert, among others. For further information, go to: http://www.HempHistoryWeek.com

The Hemp Industries Association(HIA) represents the interests of the hemp industry and encourages the research and development of new hemp products. Further information about hemp advocac may be found at www.HempIndustries.org and www.VoteHemp.com.

CONTACT: Ryan Fletcher 202-641-0277 ryan@votehemp.com

Tom Murphy 207-542-4998 tom@thehia.org

SOURCE Hemp Industries Association