Times Of Swaziland: HEMP COULD SAVE SD’S ECONOMY

HEMP COULD SAVE SD’S ECONOMY
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The Editor on 20/03/2017 07:06:00


Sir,
I think Swaziland is a country with great potential. The rich soils allow this
country to grow one of the best marijuana strains in the world. In fact the
country has a favourable agricultural sector.
What concerns me is that we do not take advantage of this. Marijuana has been
proven to be more than just a drug used for recreational use.
The hemp plant could assist in eliminating non-biodegradable plastics and cars
by building cars made from hemp with a plastic hemp car body that can withstand
a blow 10 times as great as steel without denting and weighs less than steel.
Hemp production could eliminate deforestation by converting current paper to
hemp paper which can be recycled up to eight times as compared to wood pulp,
which is only recyclable up to three times. This quality of hemp paper is also
superior to tree-based paper.
Hemp paper has been proven to last hundreds of years without degrading and can
be recycled many more times than tree-based paper. Lastly hemp paper requires
less toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process than paper made from trees.
Hemp seeds could be fed to our animals and livestock as they contain beneficial
omega fatty acids and amino acids and more than any other source.
The seeds can be used in a number of food dishes in baking, prepared as tea, any
type of food like ice cream and milk. Chemicals in cannabis can be used in
medicines and are estimated to treat around 250 diseases and illnesses, from
which studies have shown inhibits the growth of cancer cells in rats, as well as
a long list of other ailments.
Finally, we could make an estimated 50 000 products or so from this plant while
keeping it controlled and I am of the opinion that if Swaziland put some
resources into hemp research on the uses and benefits of this plant we would be
stunned.
If the country grew industrial hemp it could save the environment, boost
Swaziland’s economy and improve the health and well-being of Swazis.
J J Tsabedze