addyb said:
The problem with hemp is that visually, it is impossible to differentiate from the marijuana plant. But, hemp does not contain THC (tetrahydracannabinol) so it has no psychosis effects.
In Canada, in 1998, hemp was legalized for growth purposes as a possible alternative to cotton. Because cotton is, as Graham says, very very bad for the environment. The USA unfortunately, refuses to recognize the differences between Cannabis Sativa L. (hemp) and it's "high" cousin - marijuana.
Erm, Marijuana (grown to get high) is exactly the same plant as Hemp(grown for fibre). They are both Cannabis Sativa. The only difference is that marijuana is grown in a specific manner to optimise the amount of THC produced. (Kind of how maize/corn can be blue/red/yellow/multicoloured but still the same plant)
In terms that I hope wont offend the mods - In cold, damp northern climates, the plant will naturally grow tall and slender - perfect for fibre. In hot, and particularly dry climates (eg india, africa, middle east), the plant secretes resin to prevent excess evaporation of moisture contained in the buds. The resin contains the high levels of THC, making it perfect for getting stoned.
Unfortunately, the powers that be fail to see that even if you take seeds from the most potent dutch marijuana, and grow it outdoors in scotland, northern england, new england, vermont, etc all your going to get is smelly fibre making plants.
(flip side - take some 'hemp' seeds to egypt/india/morocco and it will contain enough THC to get you stoned.)
Throughout our textile using history, hemp has formed a much greater part than linen if certain sources are to be believed (Jack Herer being one of them). It certainly forms a larger part than cotton, which only became cheap, therefore popular around 100 years ago.