The Leaf THE LEAF Sept-Oct 17 | Page 20

6 Reasons Why Hemp is Better than Cotton Hemp can benefit many industries and truly have a large impact on the sustainability of our world. One of the ways Hemp can change our world is by processing Hemp into textile sources. Prior to the 1800s, Hemp was the go-to textile for clothing, ropes, and canvas. With the ease of the cotton gin and prohibition of cannabis in 1937, Hemp became a forgotten textile. This is unfortunate because it’s clear that Hemp is superior to cotton. Currently, our number one source for fabric is the lesser. Here are 6 reasons why Hemp is better than cotton: • • • • • • On average, one acre of Hemp can produce two to three times more fibre than an acre of cotton. Hemp detoxifies the soil by removing harmful chemicals and pollutants and enriches the soil with nitrogen and oxygen. Cotton takes a tremendous toll on the soil. Nearly 10% of all agricultural chemicals and 25% of insecticides come from the cotton industry, which ends up in the soil, rivers, and streams. Hemp can be grown with much less chemicals, or many times, none at all. Hemp needs one-third of the water that cotton needs. Hemp is three to eight times stronger than cotton (depending on how it is processed). The textile products will last longer. Hemp textile: breathes very well, moisture absorbent, UV protect-ant, and anti-bacterial. Dear friend I thought you might be interested in an adjournment speech I gave to the Senate yesterday evening highlighting the extraordinary opportunity for Tasmania to take the lead in the cultivation, production and manufacture of medicinal cannabis products. Although the enabling legislation passed the Senate nearly two years ago, the Turnbull government is only now beginning to grant licenses. However, two major companies in Tassie – one of them being Tasmanian Alkaloids who I visited recently up in the North-West – have seized the initiative by applying for licenses. I hope that the Tasmanian medicinal cannabis industry continues to forge the path in taking advantage of this excellent opportunity for economic growth and improved health outcomes for our state Kind regards Lisa Senator the Hon Lisa Singh Labor Senator for Tasmania