I see all the hub-bub about corn for ethanol and rising food prices. Why aren't we growing hemp?

Question

I know the ethanol yield per acre is higher than corn, it grows faster. A new industry, (or more accurately revisited industry.).

Not to mention all the pulp products and fiber production that could help cut down on deforestation. Sounds like a win-win. I am not talking about growing dope, just some common sense. How do we fix this?

Answer 1

The government still views industrial hemp as "recreational" cannabis. They don't recognize the differences in the two varieties of plant.

Until the laws can change, we can't grow hemp for clothing, rope, twine, alternative energy or any of the myriad of products that can be derived from a cheap renewable resource.

The change is only going to come about when a "grass" roots movement takes hold and elects forward looking politicians who will fight to be heard.

Answer 2

Frisko, didn't you ask this exact same question last week?

You awarded me best answer?  The answer to the question hasn't changed, mate.

Making fuel out of hemp is not cost effective.  If it was, I would be doing it.

I have hundreds of tonnes of hemp.

They make ethanol here in Australia, but they get their feedstocks cheap or free (sugarcane baggass, switchgrass, corn husks, wheat chaffe etc....) and I have to pay $240 per tonne for the farmers to grow the hemp.  I can sell the hemp for more than that.

Trust me man, I'm the CFO at Australia's largest hemp company (see link below).  You can even see my picture on that website.

If we could do what you want we would.  We will be able to do it when Gas hits about $8 or 9 dollars a gallon at the pump.  Perhaps six months from now.

Which part didn't you understand?