Photo Credit: MJFITNUT.com

As a Cannabis Athlete and someone who believes health is wealth, I’m consistently looking at my nutritional intake and hemp seeds are one of the most nutritious seeds in the world. My friend and professional MMA fighter, Adam Meredith, also consumes hemp as one of his primary protein sources. They are a complete protein and contain all of the essential amino acids our bodies need to survive, including the 10 we must get from our diet. They are also packed full of vitamins, enzymes, and have a perfect ratio of essential fats omega 3 and 6. Hemp seeds are easily digestible and have no known allergens. There are hemp protein powders, hemp milks, and a wide variety of hemp foods, including hemp burgers, that are actually pretty tasty. Not only do hemp products taste amazing, and are super healthy, the plant has a very fast growth cycle and is sustainable to grow as a food source.

Hemp has a growth cycle of a quick 12-14 weeks, and can breath in up to four times the carbon dioxide of trees. Keep in mind it takes trees up to 20 years to mature versus 4 months for industrial hemp. The benefits don’t end there, hemp doesn’t require pesticides or herbicides to grow as it is naturally protected from pests, and benefits from its quickly growing canopy to discourage weeds from growing. As it grows it also cleans the soil pulling pollutants from the ground making the soil better for the next crop. It can also be used to clean up metals, pesticides, solvents, explosives, crude oil, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and toxins leaching from landfills. In addition to cleaning the soil, hemp can clean the entire planet!

Industrial hemp can be used to replace a variety of unsustainable, toxic and non biodegradable products such as plastic, fuel, and paper. Hemp can be grown for livestock feed and because every animal has their own endocannabinoid system, it could improve the overall quality.  Hemp can replace cotton materials, cotton accounts for 1/4th of all pesticide use and hemp can be grown without it. In addition to all of these amazing benefits, hemp can also be used as a building material for homes and buildings as well as cars! Hempcrete is made of industrial hemp, lime and water. It is flame, water and pest resistant. It lasts hundreds of years, and it is naturally non toxic, unlike most building materials. It provides incredible insulation making it energy efficient, and it absorbs carbon dioxide in the home making it a carbon negative building material, providing an overall improved living environment. Hempcrete is especially beneficial to those who suffer from allergens and reactions to toxic building materials and chemicals, which will improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world.

Not only does it improve the daily quality of life for the environment, and those who consume and surround themselves with it, it also provides an excellent natural medicine to so many individuals. Hemp derived products are being used as health and wellness supplements and products that have already improved quality of lives all over the world. In addition, all other animals, including your pets, have their own endocannabinoid system and could benefit from the plant as a medicine, and wellness product.

I believe the earth, the animals, and the people that live here can dramatically benefit from industrial hemp as food, a sustainable pollutant remover, and as a replacement for plastic, fuel, clothing, building materials and medicine. By providing hemp as an option for farmers across the world, the global economy and job market could greatly benefit as well. This plant has the ability to improve not only where we live, but how we live, and the quality of our lives for generations to come. We can, and will make this available to all across the world!