HEMP: MADE IN THE USA

The issue of hemp made in the USA vs. foreign sources was a matter of strong words in the eighteenth century, when a young republic sought to secure strong defences on one hand whilst employing its own people on the other. To accomplish both objectives, farmers were encouraged to water-ret their stalks in order to produce fibres with which the US Navy could produce seaworthy cordage. After much debate and research, the Navy decided patriotism was best practiced by purchasing Russian hemp.

Today the hemp industry is growing in the US, although cordage is a very small part of it. What is produced in not grown domestically, though not for any lack of patriotism or even superiority of foreign imports; somehow, there are laws against hemp farming in the US, and all industrial hemp comes from abroad.

Textiles are mainly imported from China and hemp seeds from Canada. However, once in the US, it can at least be made into the final product on Yankee soil. Some do, some don't, and with the cheap labour costs in so many coutries, who can blame them. However, many take a stand on making their product in the USA, with companies such as Minawear of California, The Ohio Hempery and Galaxy Global Eatery of NYC giving their customers 100% made in the USA. Other companies that make or sell made in the USA hemp include:

Nutiva, Artisan Gear, US Hemp Co., Bikini Islands, Body Inc., Culture Shock, GeoMio, Good Humans, The Hemp Connection, Global Hemp, Hempen Goods, Island Hemp Wear, Kona Henna Studio, Rainbow's End, Sweet Potato Pie, Hempest 4.