Earthrace Eco-Boat. Photo Credit: BVI Tourist Board.

Earthrace Eco-Boat Prepares to Make a Stop in the BVI
The Earthrace, which runs on 100% biodiesel, is the first boat in the world to use hemp composite. The boat set a new world record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe, completing the journey in just under 61 days earlier this year. Earthrace, which is for sale, is currently on a world tour, and its next stop is the British Virgin Islands.

Manitoba to Back Dauphin Hemp Processor
The Manitoba government pledged $4 million in loans and grants for Parkland Biofibre's proposed $20 million processing plant at Dauphin, which is planned to make residential-grade insulation and animal bedding from Manitoba-grown hemp fiber.

But Hemp and Weed Aren't the Same Thing
Sonya English, a journalism and economics major, pens a well-written missive in The University Daily Kansan, which argues that the debate on hemp in the realm of drug policy "is ludicrous and unsupported."

Couple Arrested for Carrying Raw Chocolate
Nadine Artemis and Ron Obadia of Living Libations have an unfortunate experience that mirrors the Punk Rock Soap Opera where Dr. Bronner's liquid soap tested positive for GHB — only this time it's chocolate and hemp and involves international borders. A more detailed version of the story can be found at Natural News.

Designing with Hemp and Lime Biocomposite
November 12, 2008 — Montgomery, Texas

American Lime Technology and Olde World Exteriors are pleased to announce their upcoming architectural symposium on environmentally-friendly hemp and lime biocomposite building materials. This event, which will take place on November 12, 2008 in Montgomery, Texas, will feature world-recognized experts and practitioners in the field of sustainable design and construction.

Presenters will include Ian Pritchett, Managing Director of UK-based Lime Technology, Ltd., Jeremy Blake, Principal in the UK-based architecture firm Purcell Miller Tritton, Bruce King, author and structural engineer, and others.

There will also be on-site demonstrations of hemp and lime construction techniques, and attendees will enjoy a tour of the Hopewell Project, including the Pottery Studio and Chapel, which is the first Tradical Hemcrete® building project constructed in the United States.

To learn more and register, please visit the American Lime Technology Web site, or call Bruce Petersen at 773-414-5486.

Chinese hemp trials in Ord. Photo credit: The West Australian.

The West Australian
September 8, 2008

The Ord irrigation region has produced a variety of crops in its 45-year history, but few have attracted as much interest from passers-by, and the occasional police officer, as current trials of Chinese hemp.

Reaching 2m, the industrial crop was planted in June by Perth-based Hemp Resources to test its performance in the tropical region.

Though similar in appearance to illegal Cannabis crops, industrial hemp's drug-like qualities end there, managing director Kim Hough said.

Handful of Hemp Seeds. Photo credit: Luke Zigovits/Vote Hemp.

By Laurie Steelsmith
The Honolulu Advertiser
September 11, 2008

Q. What are hemp seeds? Are they good for me, and if so, why?

A. Hemp seeds are a wonderful new addition to the health food aisles at your grocery store. Not to be confused with their cousin, the "other" hemp seeds used to grow marijuana for psychoactive use, legal hemp seeds have a nutty, smooth flavor and are used to make a variety of food products — from hemp flour and hemp protein powder to hemp oil and hemp milk. They are also used to grow industrial hemp, which is found in a wide range of products, including clothing, textiles, papers and biodegradable materials, and is used as an alternative fuel source.

Eating hemp seeds can benefit your health in a number of ways. They are rich in essential fatty acids — fats that you need, but have to ingest because your body can't make them — including omega-3 fats. Omega-3 fats can promote the formation of anti-inflammatory hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which can help people lose weight and assist in recovery from many types of disorders.