Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hello, Hello, and welcome to Just Say No, the show
that spotlights the innovators behind cannabis's newest products and the
groundbreaking ideas driving that legal cannabis movement. I'm your host,
Maria Calibery's broadcasting on KCAA Radio ten fifty AM one
(00:26):
oh six point five FM, the station that leaves no
listener behind. Hey, I'm so grateful to be here today
and so glad that you're able to join me. Before
we dive into today's topic, I want to take a
moment to acknowledge the devastation caused by the reason wildfires
in southern California. Our hearts go out to everyone affected
(00:50):
by these fires, as well as by any other natural
disasters happening somewhere on the planet. Hey, whether you've lost
a home, face the drama of evacuation, or a struggling
with insurance claims, please please know that you are not alone.
And Hey, a huge, huge, heartfelt thank you to our
(01:14):
first responders standing ovation guys. Your tireless efforts, courage and
dedication to keep us safe cannot be understated. You know,
while these challenges bring out the best and the worst
(01:35):
of us, but mostly the best. I'm reminded of our resilience.
Times like these test us in unimaginable ways and highlight
Angelino's extraordinary resolve and unity Southern California. We will recover.
Our communities have come out to help in droves. Compassion
(01:59):
and strength for one another will drive the rebuild, and
we will all thrive after absorbing such an unimaginable loss. Now,
if you're wondering, Maria, what rebuilding has to do with cannabis, well,
I'm going to tell you not that kind of cannabis.
(02:21):
In moments of rebuilding, hope often lies in the solutions
we choose. Today's show, we'll explore one such hopeful solution, hemp,
and why this sustainable crop is proving to be a
real game changer in construction, from fire resistant building materials
(02:41):
to environmentally friendly building practices. Hemp is making a comeback
after decades of prohibition in the United States, and it's
showing us how we can rebuild smarter and more sustainably.
So sit back, take a deep breath, and get ready
to learn more about Ham's promised and post disaster recovery
(03:05):
and ways you can help to build a stronger, more
resilient future.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
By twenty twenty Bank of America and Merrill Lynch estimate
that will grow to thirty five billion dollars, and many
experts believe it could eventually reach two hundred billion dollars
each and every years.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
I can't see much you say you.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
I'm a betterfie who is going to be gun in
the oilet, had to live and cry to appreciate life
and what you give his words it when you're holding meal,
when you hold me so close, someone fether in under
your skill want to leave a life. So then I
can be sure that's you and them the wise been.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Hello, I'm Maria Calbery. Sure our host you're listening to
Just Say No on KCA Radio ten fifty am one
oh six point five FM. We're talking about hemp as
a sustainable crop and building material in the aftermath of
what Southern California has just been through. You know, Southern
cal has experienced an increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires
(04:47):
dating back to the enactment of the nineteen thirty seven
Marijuanattacks Act, which effectively prohibited the cultivation of industrial hemp
in the United States. Now, several factors have contributed towards
this increase of intensity, in wildfire trends, including climate change,
(05:09):
urban expansion into fire prone areas, and historical land management practices. Now,
if we look at wildlife statistics data on wildfires from
the early nineteen hundreds, I'm sorry, if we look at
wildfire statistics, that's what I meant to say. Data on
wildfires from the early nineteen hundreds is limited, but based
(05:31):
on the records that I was able to find, large
scale wildfires were less frequent during the twentieth century. From
nineteen hundred to nineteen ninety nine, California experienced forty five
mega fires. Now, what's a megafire. A mega fire is
a fire burning over one hundred thousand acres. Since two thousand,
(05:54):
there have been thirty five megafires in California, indicating an
enormous uptick in these large scale fires. I mean, think
about it. For almost an entire century we experienced forty
five mega fires, but in the last twenty five years,
thirty five mega fires, the Palisades and Eating Fires in
(06:17):
Los Angeles have burned already nearly forty thousand acres, destroyed
over twelve thousand structures, and resulted in at least twenty
seven fatalities. For a visual representation. Check out the California
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It's called cal Fire
coil FIRA. They provide up to date statistics on wildfires,
(06:44):
including annual data on the number of fires and acres burned.
Another good resource for stats is the California Fire History Map.
It offers an innovative tool to explore wildfire data over time.
While these resource versus admittedly they don't go back as
far as nineteen thirty seven, they do offer and provide
(07:05):
good insights into the trends and impacts of wildfires in
the region. Now. Climate change is among the factors influencing
the increase in these wildfires. Rising temperatures and prolonged droughts
have created conditions conducive to more frequent and severe occurrences.
(07:27):
According to The New Yorker, scientists are now describing a
phenomenon known as hydro climate whiplash. Hey, guys, as far
as I know, last time a check, Mother Earth does
not have airbags or insurance. So this hydroclimate whiplash is
(07:51):
defined as periods of extreme wetness followed by extreme dryness,
which exacerbates fire severity. The growth of urban areas urban
expansion into wild land urban interfaces has also increased the
risk of wildfires impacting densely populated regions. API News reported
(08:17):
that the recent Los Angeles fires have scorched the largest
urban areas in California in at least forty years, affecting
nearly four square miles of densely populated zones. Historical land
management past forest management practices, including fire suppression and logging,
(08:41):
have also led to an accumulation of fuel in forests,
contributing to larger and more intense fires. The Palisades and
even fires underscore the growing threat posed by these wildfires
to our homes, businesses, communities, and environment. This vulnerability is
only expected to grow in size as climate change intensifies
(09:04):
the frequency and scale of these fires, and we cannot, cannot,
cannot take into consideration. The impact of the nineteen thirty
seven Marijuana Tax Act can't be ignored, basically the act
effect of the late criminalized marijuana and post strict regulations
on hemp cultivation. This legislation led to significant decline and
(09:29):
hemp production in the US, making its cultivation and importation
less economical. When we think about our homes, we picture comfort, security,
What comes to mind. I mean, you're kitchen, the smell
of something nice baking in the oven. But have you
ever thought about what your home is made of? Believe
(09:52):
it or not, oil plays a big role. From vinyl
fluorin to plastic siding, Many of the material that make
up modern homes are derived from fossil fuels. Our growing
reliance on petrochemical based materials is a major contributor to
climate warming pollution. Globally, the building sector is responsible for
(10:16):
eleven percent of energy related emissions. Concrete, steal and aluminum
alone count for twenty three percent of all emissions. But
what if there was a better way? In the aftermath
of these catastrophic wildfires, not just here in Los Angeles,
but across the entire country the world, it begs the question,
(10:39):
why not turn to hemp? Could this natural sustainable material
be the key to rebuilding more resilient fire resistant communities.
We'll stay tuned because when I come back after this
quick break from our sponsor, I want to explore hamp
as a natural carbon storing building material that can help
(11:01):
us rethink how we recover and rebuild. Did you know
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Speaker 1 (12:06):
Welcome back. You're listening to Just Say No on KCA
Radios ten fifty AM one oh six point five FM.
I'm your host, Maria Calbery's and we're discussing hemp as
a sustainable crop and building material. As Southern California looks
to rebuild after these recent horrific fires, there's a growing
pressure to incorporate green building practices that reduce carbon footprints
(12:30):
and promote sustainability. It's a no brainer. Building materials made
from hemp, namely hemp crete, are excellent candidates for this,
as they not only reduce the carbon footprint of construction,
but also contribute to carbon to carbon sequestration over the
lifespan of the building. Many structural engineers will tell you
(12:54):
from the green building community that I spoke with, and
they all agree that carbon storage has become a top
priority and hemp creed is leading the charge. Hemp building
materials aren't a new idea, guys. Hemp has been used
in construction for centuries, with examples of hemp cre structures
(13:17):
lasting hundreds hundreds of years. But in the United States,
the materials history was disrupted by the nineteen thirty seven
Marijuana Tax Act, which effectively banned hemp farming. It wasn't
until the twenty eighteen Farm build that industrial hemp was legalized,
paving the way for its reintroduction into the construction industry.
(13:40):
While reporting on the introduction of hemp building into the
Los Angeles Trade Technical College, I caught up with Sergei Kaboleenkov.
He's the founder and CEO of Hempire. He is leading
the charge and I was able to discuss with him
after he led a panel discussion a little bit about hamp.
(14:03):
It's a building material. Let's have a listen him. Maria
Calibery screen b Life and I've got the great pleasure
of being joined by Sergei Kevalenko, see your own founder
of Empire. Tell us a little bit about Hampire.
Speaker 6 (14:17):
Well, it's the company that I found it four years
ago back in Europe in Ukraine. It's a company that
focuses on hemp building and installation using hampcret technique. So
what we've done we have developed our own own natural
binder that we successfully used on about fifty to sixty
projects that we have completed all across the world. And
now we're here in USA, well in Europe for example,
(14:37):
like hemp crete houses is something that's already normal in US,
it's just arriving, so not many people aware about it.
So it's a educational process. We need to educate students,
We need to educate architects, builders, handbuilding departments. What can
hemp do, what kind of benefits it has. We can
get it into the minds of young people, young professionals,
having them understand how incredible.
Speaker 7 (14:59):
This and is.
Speaker 6 (15:00):
With the twenty something thousand different uses, I mean, they
will just paving a roadway for success. It's the industry
leaders that need to be educated. As we speak. It's
an old material, old plant that we use for centuries.
Now it's relatively new because you know this country last
seventy years of development in that agricultural processing industries. You know,
(15:21):
US has to catch up to Europe the rest of
the countries that's been quite advancing on different techniques of
cultivation and processing.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
Well, it's going to have a very disruptive effect on
the textile industry, right timber Ca. And what advice do
you have for other company founders and CEOs to get
involved the way you are.
Speaker 6 (15:41):
Eventually they're gonna have to switch their sites on ham
and something by degradable and natural because that's the only
solution right now. For the last seventy eighty years, no
one would care less what type of car you drive,
what type of clothes you wear. You wouldn't even question
the origin or what type of chemicals were used. Now
people start to ask these questions.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Oh, the proliferation of cancer, Alzheimer's, global warming.
Speaker 6 (16:06):
Yeah, yeah, people, people are asking legitimate questions. The industry leaders,
you need to set the record straight, you know, by
lowering carbon emissions during the cultivation production of different types
of products, that is what's important right now.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
And is it true that hamp sucks five times the
CO two or much more CO two out of the
air than other crops.
Speaker 6 (16:25):
Two and a half acres of hemp throughout four years
growth period, it sequesters about ten tons of CO two.
I mean, isn't it fantastic? You know, it's carbon based material.
It's a no brainer. We can create all kinds of
different things, you know, textiles, paper. We don't need to
cut trees no more to create paper.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
It's a no brainer. We don't need to cut trees
anymore to make paper. So listen. Hemp grows fast, reaching
up to fifteen feet tall just one and twenty days.
It absorbs more CO two per acre than most plants,
up to fifteen tons of carbon dioxide per hectar during
(17:13):
its growing cycle. Now, a hectar's, by the way, is
equal to ten thousand square meters, which is about two
and a half acres. To visualize it, a hectar's is
roughly the size of a professional rugby or soccer field,
making hemp a hero crop for mitigating climate change. Equally impressive.
(17:35):
When the stalks are turned into hemp creek, a carbon
is locked. It's locked in a way for the lifespan
of the building. So while the process of growing hemp
captures CO two from the atmosphere. When it's used in construction,
this carbon remains locked in the material. This makes hemp
(17:55):
create a carbon negative material, meaning it actually helps combat
climate change by absorbing more carbon dioxide than is admitted
during its production Southern California. It's exciting. I mean it's look,
you know, it's tragic, But there is an opportunity on
(18:18):
the horizon. We have the unique opportunity to set a
precedent for eco friendly construction that aligns with state level
environmental goals, including reducing greenhouse gas and missions if we
were to use hemp crete in our rebuilding efforts. But
the benefits of hemp as a crop, they don't even
(18:42):
end here. Let's talk about them. Hemp regenerate soil. Its
deep roots, break up compacted soil, prevent erosion, and leave
the soil enriched with nutrients for future crops. It even
has the ability to remove toxins through a process called
phital remediation, famously demonstrated and used in areas like Chernobyl.
(19:08):
And let's not forget water usage. Compared to thirsty crops
like kine, hemp requires fifty percent less water while producing
two hundred and fifty percent more fiber per acre. If
that's not enough, It's also a crop that thrives in
a wide variety of climates, and it doesn't require pesticides
(19:29):
or herbicides, further reducing its harmful impact on the environment. Now,
hemps resurgence in the United States began, as I mentioned,
after the passage of the twenty eighteen Farm Built which
legalized industrial hemp after decades of provision. This has allowed
(19:50):
farmers across the country to grow this sustainable crop once again,
with hemp acreage expanding rapidly. But twenty twenty, US hemp
production was are right evaluate at over eight hundred and
twenty four million dollars, which with much of this growth
focused on fibers for industrial use. So industrial use, what
(20:12):
exactly is hemp crete, well, hemp creed. It's a mixture
of hemp herds not HERVs herds, which is the inner
woody core of the hemp stalk line and water. The
result is a lightweight, durable, and highly insulating material. Here's
(20:34):
what makes hemp create such a game changer, and not
only does not burn easily due to the fire resistant
properties of line based hemp crete, it is becoming a
preferred choice for rebuilding efforts and areas that are vulnerable
to wildfires. Studies and industry applications show that hemp crete
(20:56):
is noncombustible and it can withstand higher temperatures better than
traditional building materials. The lime component of the hemp creed
forms a protective barrier that helps resist flames, while it's
porous structure helps it absorb and dissipate heat. I'm going
to throw to a visual demonstration that Serge from Empire
(21:19):
did while he was actually remodeling a house in Northridge, California,
using hemp crete drywall. He took a blow torch to it.
If you have access to KCAA TV streaming TV, you'll
see it. If you're listening to the podcast, you can
watch the video at greenbeelife dot com. Wasn't that amazing?
(21:59):
I mean, giving the increasing occurrences of wildfires in southern California,
using hemp crete for the reconstruction of areas like Pacific Palisy,
Santa Monica, Malibu, Pasadena, and Altadena could provide an added
layer of production, reducing the risk of structural damage in
fire areas. You know, But here's what blew me away.
(22:23):
I was already blown away, But are you ready for this?
Hemp crete is not only fire resistant, it's mold resistant too.
By naturally managing moisture, it makes indoor air quality healthier,
especially important in areas affected by wildfires, where homes and
(22:44):
commercial properties are susceptible to both water and fire damage
during recovery efforts. If fire and mold resistance were not enough,
hold on, here we go. It's energy efficient. It's highly insulative,
which means homes built with hem crete require less energy
(23:07):
for heating and cooling. Jennifer Martin is a design build
professional who specializes in m crete. She explained to me
that among its standout features is its thermal regulating properties
that allow it to absorb and release heat and moisture,
keeping indoor air temperatures and humidity levels stable. Could you
(23:31):
imagine a home that stays cool in the summer, warm
in the winter and doesn't require energy guzzling HVAC systems
to do it? Hmm. It's going to have a disruptive effect,
But we have to either you know, air conditioning and
cooling companies and the old infrastructure is not going to
like this. However, we have to either mitigate the effects
(23:55):
line of climate change or adapt the just to modernize
our infrastructure and how we rebuild to adapt to the
increasing intensity and severity. It's that simple. I mean hemp
cretes fibers can also be used to create a hemp
based drywall, which is stronger, lighter, and more sustainable than
(24:19):
conventional drywall. Hemp drywall check this out. It does not
emit harmful volatile organic compounds VOCs. That's right, it does
not emit VOCs, offering a healthy alternative for indoor spaces.
It makes sense that globally, hemp is already being utilized
(24:42):
as a key material for rebuilding efforts. In the Ukraine,
for instance, hemp crete is being used to reconstruct homes
of buildings destroyed by the war because of its fire
resistant and insulating properties. They're doing this in an effort
to rebuild safer, more energy efficient structures in a country
facing both rebuilding challenges and really really harsh weather in
(25:04):
the winters. But are there caveats to these environmental benefits.
I have the pleasure of attending a webinar shortly before
the passage of the Farm Bill led by Chris Magwood.
Chris is the executive director of a wonderful not for
profit sustainable building school called the Endeavor Center in Peterborough, Ontario.
(25:27):
The school runs two full time certificate programs, Sustainable New
Construction and Sustainable Renovations. Chris is the author of numerous
books on sustainable building. Here is what he had to
say relating to hemps, pros and cons.
Speaker 8 (25:43):
So, the environmental benefits. Again, if you're researching Temprete online,
this is the kind of stuff that you'll hear about,
and some of it is true, and some of it
is sometimes a little bit exaggerated. But the hemp production
is low intensity and relatively low impact. And by that
(26:05):
what people mean is quite often they're able to farmers
are able to grow it with either fewer or absolutely
no pesticides or herbicides. So it's a it is, it
is a need, and it grows. It jumps up quickly
in the spring, and it grows fast, so it tends
to choke out competitors, and there aren't a lot of
(26:29):
insects or other pests that tend to disturb it. So
you know, in comparison to some other crops or lots
of other crops, there's often a lot that's input into
into the hamplant and other egg crops. The herd, that
inner portion of the plant that we're interested in using
(26:50):
for ham creek is also secondary to the seed or
fiber production.
Speaker 9 (26:54):
So you know, if.
Speaker 8 (26:56):
You're if you're sort of calculating the impacts of farming it,
we're actually using the byproduct. So you know, it's a
it's a way of making sure that you can use
the whole plant and not just the heat or the fiber.
Its production doesn't sort of cause any buy products or
industrial waste. The carbon sequestration, I think I've got a
(27:19):
slide that that sort of formulates that a bit later on.
But as with any plant based material, you know, about
fifty percent of the weight of your hemp herd is
literally carbon, and so that's carbon that's been you know,
pulled the seal two is pulled out of the atmosphere
(27:39):
and it sort of added to the to the makeup
of the plant itself. And so if we're kind of
the plants taking that out of the atmosphere and we're
bundling it up and putting it in the wall for
you know, a good long time, fifty hundred years, then
that's that's carbon that's been you know, we moved from
(28:00):
the atmospheric cycle, so it's sort of as a positive
effect that way in terms of carbon and climate change.
There's little to know on site waste or off cuts.
Speaker 6 (28:11):
It's it's a loose.
Speaker 8 (28:12):
Mixed material that you're you're sort of packing into the
area that you want to insulate, and so you just
make as much as you need and if there's any
left over, it can just be composted. There's there's some
needs or to go to landfill, and it does have
really good indoor air quality properties. The combination of the
(28:34):
ferocity of the plant and the anti fungal nature of
the line means it's it's it's really clean, it's not
offcasting anything, and it's not sort of emitting any toxin
into your building or introducing anything that it's anything less
than food grade. So those are all, you know, great
(28:56):
environmental benefits. But there are some uh, caveats to that.
And this is the stuff that sometimes the the online
proponents of HEMP create don't like to talk about. And
I don't think the reasons to not use it, but
that there are things to keep in mind, and that
is that the production of the line is both energy
(29:18):
and carbon intensive. You're harvesting limestone, you're burning it at
a high temperature, and you're you know, creating a bunch
of carbon emissions and other emissions in that burning process.
Advocates of hemp crete will sort of say, well, you
know that the line actually recarbonizes.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
And that's true as it as it.
Speaker 8 (29:41):
Turns back into limestone, that process is reversed and the
CEO two gets drawn back into into the line, but
that that process is not one hundred percent. Depending on
how to pick the wall is you know, test show
is sort of reabsorbing somewhere between like maybe twenty five
and seventy five percent of the CO two and it
(30:04):
doesn't set all address the CO two that was emitted
from the fuel that was used to burn that rock.
So you'll see later on in the side show we
will actually quantify this and overall the material is a
net carbon sequester, But unlike other plant materials, if you're
using celluloaks or straw or core or bamboo or any
(30:27):
of those things, because they don't have the line, their
seaquestration levels are actually higher. Another caveat is that large
scale hemp production does typically use high quantities of fertilizer,
so that obviously has environmental implications. The plant grows anywhere
from sort eight to twelve feet tall in a season
(30:49):
and clearly takes a lot of takes a lot of
nutrients out of the soil in order to be able
to do that unless you're finding organically grown hemp, which
I have not been able to source anything like that
in North America, there is that fertilizer issue. And also,
(31:12):
as I was talking about the line earlier on if
you want to use natural hydraulic lines instead of formulating
your own, that only comes from European sources, and clearly
there's an environmental impact to bringing that from Europe.
Speaker 1 (31:35):
Caveats aside. Hemp's potential and construction is transformative, we can't
deny that. Yet, despite its promise, hemp creep isn't quite
yet mainstream in the US. Only about one hundred hemp
based homes have been built, according to the US Hemp
Building Association, which is a great association to support, by
(31:57):
the way, US Hemp Building is association full of some
really wonderful information and resources. Part of the issue is
supply only eighteen thousand acres of industrial hemp were harvested
in twenty twenty two. This is forced builders to rely
on important hemp, driving up cost. See this is because
(32:19):
of the prohibition and we lost our infrastructure, so we
have to import it from countries in Europe or Canada
or China that have the infrastructure. But we'll get there.
We're America guys. However, things you know, they're changing. Companies
like South Bend Industrial Hemp Processing. They're out of Kansas.
(32:43):
It's an interesting company, South Bend Industrial Hemp Processing. They're building.
They're working to build the infrastructure needed to support a
domestic hemp creat industry here in the United States. Not
only could this lower cost, but it could also bring
jobs to rural communities. As the process sessing and manufacturing
of hemp based products they need to happen close to
(33:04):
where the crop is grown. Costs could be another barrier. Historically,
hemp creek homes could be thirty percent more expensive than
conventional homes. That's due to the prohibition. But with legalization
and as domestic supply chains improve, these costs they're starting
to come down and in some cases, such as a
(33:27):
hemp crete building program in Minnesota's LOWERUS community, the material
has even led to cost savings. And let's think about it,
looking at what the cost is going to be to
rebuild southern California, maybe if the bulk of those structures
were made from hemp crete, even if it had increased
(33:50):
costs up front, it would have been a bargain at
twice the price. Just saying just saying, we need to
just say no, we need to find out kN ow
it comes to making it more accessible to builders across
the US, hemp crete did achieve a major milestone in
twenty twenty two. It was accepted into the International Residential Code.
(34:12):
Now this doesn't mean it's automatically approved in every state
or everywhere, but it's a big step forward. It is
a big step forward. As we wrap up this part
of our discussion, I want to throw back to Chris Magwood,
the executive director of the Endeavor Center, the not for
profit sustainable building school in Ontario, to review and recap
(34:37):
the various uses of hemp crete in building materials.
Speaker 8 (34:42):
Okay, so uses for hemp crete in the building. You're
looking at a whole bunch of them here. So it
can be used as a stealing a roof insallation, walled
insulation under slab insulation. We also use it as the
insulation around our those between the window and the rough framing,
(35:02):
and in this particular building, it's also that's integral with
the windowsills and the trim, so all of that is
actually built out with tempory. Uh, there's a benchtop and
you can do sort of other decorative things with it.
And the hemp also can be incorporated into plasters. So
you know, in that that one building we're looking at,
(35:24):
there's there's temp used in all those different all these
different areas, and so we'll kind of now look at
the specifics of how each of those works. So as
wall insallation, which is you know, by far and away
its most common use. The most typical scenario is it's
(35:47):
installed into a frame mall and quite often a double
stud wall, which allows the either the thickness to be
tailored to the to the amount of installation you want.
So uppere in our climate in Ontario, Canada, we're doing
hemp creep walls that are anywhere between sort of twelve
(36:08):
and sixteen inches thick, and so the the double sub
walls are our space that's far apart, and then we're
using a fairly lightweight mix for those walls. Some when
they put it two hundred and seventy five kilograms per
cubic meter and and that's you know, just enough density
(36:31):
to have the material turn into a solid in the wall,
so it maintains its own shape and is rigid but
as light as possible to get the best our value.
And also I mentioned packing it in around the windows,
so we do that in place of you know, spray foam.
(36:54):
We packed it in around the windows. And you can
either just use it as the window insulation, but we're
we've found works really well is to kind of put
it in the in the framing gap around the window,
but then actually build it all the way out onto
the surface of the wall and make an integral trim.
And that's a great way to quite quickly get a
(37:16):
nice air tight insulated windows system and a trim detail
all at once. And you can continue that to the
inside and the outside, or just one or the other,
or like I said, you could just use the EMP
between the windows. It's it's not the most common use
for mprete. You know, our particular building practice we're you know,
(37:36):
we're always trying to move towards the most natural materials possible.
So you know, to be able to replace something like
spray phone in the scenario with the mprete.
Speaker 1 (37:46):
UH.
Speaker 8 (37:47):
It's our role as pretty will. So for roof inflation,
it's a very lightweight mix and typically we're not sort
of tamping the material at all, so we're just sort
of mixing it and UH and pouring it loose into
those cavities so that that gives us our best our value.
(38:10):
And because it's it's on either the slope or the
flat surface, it doesn't need any tamping or any added
density to to keep it in place there. And then
I mentioned before the subslab mix. You know, we can
see where we're making that a bit denser, so we're
doing that both by adding more line to the mix
(38:31):
but also doing a bit more tamping and UH. And
that gets us to the point where where we can
handle the loads of a slab floor on top of it.
And a few less common uses but also quite valid
and interesting ones. Hence it makes a great masonry material
(38:54):
if you're doing cordwood construction because of what it means
is that rather than having to do a u a
masonry skin on the inside of the outside and or
use insulation into the middle you can just do the
full width with m crete, so you get a much
more air tight corbin construction and much more insulative one.
And so we have to use that a few times
(39:16):
some materiative decorative interior elements. If you if you get
a chance to work with the material, it's it's it's
got a lot of really unique properties. It's extremely sculptural.
It's just kind of like you stick it together, and
even though it's light weight, it holds its shape incredibly well,
so it allows you to do all kinds of sculptural
(39:39):
things with it. And in one case you can see
on the bottom right there, we actually used it as
a perimeter being foundation, so that that's a great based
perimeter being that fit the walls and sit on top.
Speaker 1 (39:54):
Of From hand created rye wall, wall, window, roof and
slab insulation to decorative interior elements, these innovations have the
potential to transform how we rebuild, not just in response
to disasters, but as part of a broader movement toward sustainability.
(40:19):
Kajak Coole, who's a designer, she used him create in
two microhomes in New York's Hudson Valley. She says it
more than just the material, and describes it as part
of a larger movement to build in harmony with nature. Again,
unless we're going to take measures to you know, roll
(40:41):
back climate change and its effect on nature, we have
to build in harmony with nature and with our impact
on nature snow free rides and creates. Success is also
going to depend on overcoming misconceptions like the idea that
it's related to marijuana. Believe it or not, this is
so old it's nothing new. But we still have this
(41:03):
stigma to deal with, as though marijuana is a bad thing.
One structural engineer I caught up with from Verdant Structural
Engineers joked said, everyone thinks we could smoke the house. Okay,
you know, I no, industrial hemp contains less than point
(41:27):
three percent eightcs. I'm not sure you're really gonna want to.
And the stocks used for hampcrete have no psychoactive properties.
But did I mention it's fire retardant? All right? But listen,
speaking of the stigma, we can't fully explore hemp's future
(41:48):
without looking at its past, and the story of hemp
in the United States is one of unrealized potential, largely
due to the stigma around marriage, marijuana at hand association
to it marijuana hemp, both being cannabis and the prohibition.
(42:09):
So before the twentieth century, hemp was widely grown and
used for a variety of purposes, from ship sales to rope. However,
when the nineteen thirty seven Marijuana Tax Act came about,
hemp was lumped together with cycleactive cannabis tight C, the
(42:31):
cannabinoid found in marijuana, leading to its decline. It's absurd.
It should have never been lumped together with it. And
as far as the company you keep, there's nothing wrong
with being lumped together with it. Marijuana, TAC, the psychoactive cannabinoids.
(42:52):
They got a bad rap. So this was further reinforced
by anti cannabis campaigns and the Controlled Substances Act of
nineteen seventy, which classified all cannabis plants as Schedule one.
I like to call it Public Enemy number one, including hemp.
(43:14):
It's just baseless, it's no it's maddening. So I caught
up with the iconic Richard Eastman. Richard is a National Treasurer.
He's a Vietnam War veteran. He's the co founder. The
co founder, him and Dennis Parone with the Medical Marijuana
Act in the United States. I caught up with him
(43:36):
as well at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College panel
on hemp and I'm gonna I'm just gonna hand it
over to Richard. Richard take it away.
Speaker 10 (43:46):
Dennis Parona and I and Jack Herrere were the three
pioneers that changed a lot of the things that happened
with Proposition two fifteen and medical marijuana in America. Hemp
can save the planet, Jack's words, where hemp can save
the planet. Ancient Chinese used to call it ma, the
mothers of all plants, and ultimately.
Speaker 9 (44:04):
It's a rb it's a vegetable.
Speaker 10 (44:06):
You know. Racism played a lot into this over the years.
Literally longer than nineteen thirty seven, a lot of black
and brown kids had to go to jail for a
little plant that not only saved my life, but saves
little kids. Marijuana is such a healing plant. Doctor Todd Mcarea,
who was with the Shaper Commission when Nixon was the president.
It's the same war we're fighting fifty years ago when
(44:26):
Jack and I and Dennis were just young hippies. We're
fighting an evil government that wants to sell you a
whiskey that makes you stupid, Tobacco that kills your lungs.
Speaker 9 (44:33):
It killed Dennis Peron.
Speaker 10 (44:35):
Hemp can save the planet, clothing, oils, medicine. Even Henry
Ford made a car out of hemp. My name is
Richard Eathman, one of the co founders of medical marijuana
in the United States.
Speaker 1 (44:45):
Thank you. That's true. Even Henry Ford made a car
made from hemp. So yeah, this legal landscape, it's stunted
industrial hemp's growth in the United States, while countries like
(45:07):
France and Canada continue to advance hemp production and infrastructure.
The prohibition it also meant that innovations in hemp based materials,
like hemp crete and hemp textiles, they were left unexplored
here in the United States while other nations surged ahead.
Visionaries like Jack Career recognized this misopportunity. In his seminal
(45:33):
book The Emperor Wears No Clothes, Jack Career detailed back
in the sixties, hemp's incredible potential to revolutionize industries. He
famously wrote, you can't make adorable and sustainable society without hemp. Listen,
even if you're not one of the folk involved and
(45:56):
advocated for green initiatives. If you're not sustainability isn't at
the top of your list. You can't make adorable and
sustainable society without HEMP. I don't think there's anybody against
making adorable society, especially given the changes or weather systems
are producing. So you know, herr He argued that HEMP
(46:21):
could serve as a cornerstone for sustainable infrastructure durable as well,
not just for construction, but also for textiles, energy and paper.
His work remains an inspiring call to action for industries. Industries,
please to embrace HEMP as a solution to environmental and
(46:44):
economic challenges. Let's have a listen in my interview with
Patrick Moore, founder of Hemp clothing line Egollution and how
many of you know? Have you heard of Jack Herrer?
I hope?
Speaker 8 (46:56):
Okay?
Speaker 1 (46:58):
Can you just for those who don't know, can you mind?
Speaker 7 (47:01):
Jack hare often referred to as the Emperor of Hemp.
He is the man who wrote The Emperor Wears No Clothes,
the pioneer, groundbreaking master work of historical research pulling together
our long lost history of hemp. You know, a few
people knew a little bit about hemp in the seventies
and eighties, and Jack just kept collecting knowledge and collecting knowledge,
(47:23):
and by the time he pieced it all together, it
became the most recognized counterculture book in history. So yeah,
we all owe Jack Hare a big nod a favor.
There are very few people in this industry worldwide I've
met who didn't say it all started with reading this
book by Jack Hare. A friend of mine in nineteen
ninety found himself in Eastern Europe and because they were
(47:43):
behind the Iron Curtain, they said to the drug war
for fifty years, and so they kept their hemp industry.
The family reworked with in Romania had been producing and
processing it for eight hundred years. So yeah, after the
fall of the Eastern block in the Wall came down,
the trade and hemp opened up with Eastern Europe and
they were decades a century ahead of us. Were where
(48:05):
they were one hundred years ago. By eighty years ninety
years of this war, we've lost all the processing. We
have feral hemp in America. We have no infrastructure, and
we're close. We're America. We'll catch up quickly. But the
lesson in all this is we went medical twenty two
years ago. I helped work on the prop two fifteen
(48:25):
the Meca marijuana bi here in California with Dennis Prone
and Germany about the same time went industrial. Germany went
industrial and started pushing Mercedes Benz to use some hemp,
and they did. They used one percent of hemp twenty
years ago. Put a couple of seats in the car.
They're all Mercedes Benz produced in the world today, thirty
five percent hemp. And they're not giving up things to
(48:48):
go environmental. We're not gonna end up having to dress
like hippies or only drive twenty miles a day, or
have tiny little cars or something. No, we can do
everything we've done, but the wealth of that will be
spread out around the world. So it's the consolidation of
wealth that has been the greatest cost of hemp prohibition.
Speaker 3 (49:09):
And I to mention a lack of education too, right
which the information being spread.
Speaker 7 (49:14):
That's the greatest loss is the information and knowledge. There
were references in the thirties and forties who are put
some prohibition, but by the year two thousand, hemp would
be Cannabis would be a historical ancillary something or another
that a couple academics would know about. Well, here we
are in the twenty first century, and it seems like
one in ten people in the world's wearing a big
(49:35):
pot leaf on their hat. And I can hardly watch
the news without the mentioning it at least once or twice.
So the exact opposite has happened. It has become more
popular than it ever was in history, and it is
branching back out into every major industry on the planet,
from manufacturing to the airplanes to right now, one of
the most exciting breakthroughs.
Speaker 2 (49:56):
Graphine, what advice would you give to these hemp students
and hemp preneers?
Speaker 7 (50:02):
Have to say, sure, right now. The only thing that's
important is get involved. If we don't have fair and
equal access to cannabis, we don't have a cannabis industry.
Speaker 1 (50:17):
If we don't have fair and equal access to cannabis,
we don't have a cannabis industry. If we don't have
fair and equal access, and we don't have a cannabis industry,
we don't have industrial hemp. And I, you know, I
talk to people all the time, and he made a
good point. He was talking about his involvement in the
(50:40):
Compassion Care Act, which brought medical marijuana to the forefront
of the United States and made it legal originally in California.
But there's a whole other side to this multifaceted plant
and crop. There's the medicinal side, but there's the industrial side,
(51:01):
and the industrial side. While we'll have a disruptive effect. Hey,
I'm sure glad we graduated from the horse and buggy
to the car. Now, maybe we could go back to
the hemp car. Listen, you know we can't hold back progress,
but the environment suffering and we're paying the price. So
(51:24):
kudos to the Los Angeles Trade and Technical College for
bringing industrial hemp and have building classes into their curriculum.
While I was attending a panel there, I also I
was so excited I couldn't believe it. We heard Jack
Carreer's name mentioned so many times, and I had the
good fortune to just bump into on the floor his son,
(51:48):
Dan Herrer. Dan Herrere is the founder of the Harrera Foundation,
and let's hear what he had to say about how
investing in this versatile hemp plant and it's many applications.
Can we all know, or at least everybody here knows,
that he can save the world. Do you think it
will save the world?
Speaker 11 (52:08):
Well, it's the only thing that can.
Speaker 12 (52:10):
Yes, we have a great opportunity to use this to
its full utility, and by doing so, we not only
give ourselves sustainable food and sustainable building materials, clothing.
Speaker 11 (52:21):
And medicine.
Speaker 13 (52:22):
There's so many other products that can be developed, used, produced,
and brought into the consumer market that changes how we
live in everyday lives.
Speaker 9 (52:33):
It really is.
Speaker 11 (52:34):
An opportunity for us not only to develop technology and
a use, but this application that it only gives us
the ability to survive the future, but to thrive in it.
Speaker 1 (52:52):
We're not just rebuilding homes in communities. We're building a
better future. You know, I have to say just about
everyone I've run into and I speak to and listeners
all want to know how they can support the affected communities,
bringing it back to the current situation and devastation to
(53:15):
our buildings in Los Angeles. So, if you're looking for
ways to support those impacted by the wildfires or other
natural disasters, consider volunteering your time organizations like the American
Red Cross, United Way or local food banks. There are always,
there are always in need of boots on the ground,
(53:36):
hands on support in disaster affected areas. You can, of
course donate to local organizations, but unfortunately we really have
to vet these. There are fraudsters out there. I'm sorry
to say it, it is what it is, So do
your due diligence. Make sure your donation is directly helping
(53:59):
impact a faire families. I can recommend groups like the
California Community Foundation's Wildlife Relief Fund. To still still ensure
your contributions make an immediate and tangible difference to the
families impacted, consider donating supplies like non perishable food, water, clothing,
and personal care items. Many shelters and community centers are
(54:22):
posting the specific needs online and you can find those
at CACAA at NBC News. They're accessible. Remember, every small
action counts. This can get daunting, it can get overwhelming.
Everybody can feel very helpless at times like these, But
(54:44):
the most important thing is to take care of yourself.
You have to take care of yourself first before you
can give to others. And whether it's offering your time,
your resources, or even just random not just random acts
of kindness, you have the power to uplift those around you.
But first you've got to be rested, You've got to reset,
(55:07):
got to bring your best to this game, guys and
Angelino's always do so. I wanted to talk a little
bit about when it comes to long term planning and preparedness.
Natural disasters remind us of the importance of preparedness. We
can reduce future risks by changing the way the world
(55:28):
sees green and rebuilding. The US had beenfrastructure, but in
the meantime we could focus on education and sustainable practices,
like advocating foreign investing in fire resistant materials, eco friendly materials.
We could support efforts to restore natural ecosystems to act
as buffers against these disasters. They have to do one
(55:50):
or the other both ideally, and isn't have such a
win win because it does hit both boxes. But educate
yourself and your neighbors on emergency plans, evacuateation routes, and
safety measures. Long term resilience isn't just about rebuilding what
was lost. It's about building smarter, stronger, and in harmony
with the environment. Once we get through this and Southern
(56:13):
cal recovers, it's going to be crucial to take steps
to protect ourselves in our communities in the future. Review
your insurance policy annually to ensure your coverage is adequate.
Many people, myself included, are surprised to learn their policy limits.
Having kept up with the rise and cost of rebuilding
or replacing property. Pay close attention to fire coverage and exclusions.
(56:35):
For example, some policies may exclude damage from certain types
of wildfires, or they may require additional writers for complete protection. Lastly,
this is really important. I've put it off way too long.
Consider creating a home inventory, an itemize list of your belongings,
including receipts and appraisals. Get appraisals for valuable items. This
(56:57):
will streamline the claims process should you ever have to
face disaster in the future, as cities rebuild in the
wake of Palisades and ETN wildfires, hemp crete offers a
forward thinking solution that aligns with the global shift towards
sustainability and construction. Not only can it be used for homes,
but it can also play a role in building public infrastructure,
(57:17):
including our very own fire stations, schools, and community centers.
The road ahead isn't without challenges Angelino's, but as more builders, designers,
and policymakers recognize the benefits of hemp crete and your
desire for it. This historical material could play a vital
(57:38):
role in tackling the climate crisis. Thanks for listening to
Just Saying No. Be sure to subscribe at greenbey life
dot com for more insights into sustainable innovations from the
Cannabis plant. And if you enjoy today's episode, share it
with someone who might be inspired to build greener. Together,
we could rebuild stronger, not just our homes, but our
(57:58):
sense of community and a greener, safer hope for the future. Remember,
challenges may test us, but they also bring out the
best in us. Let's carry that spirit forward as we
work together in this rebuild. Stay safe, stay inspired, and
let's commit to showing up for one another, not just
the moments of crisis, but in everyday efforts. Until next time,
(58:20):
I'm Maria Calbry's reminding you to rethink, rebuild, and restore
with nature in mind. Until next week, Just Say No
with a k n OW. Just Say No is a
green bee Life presentation airing live weekly on Friday afternoons
(58:42):
from four to five pm Pacific on kca Radio and
KCAA TV. Archived audio episodes are on Greenbeelife, greenbelife dot com, iHeartRadio, Speaker,
and most third party major platforms. For archived videos, check
them out on GBLTV, on Greenbeelfe YouTube, and Rumble. To
(59:09):
follow us our Instagram and Facebook is at just Say
No Radio. To apply to be a guest on the
show or for sponsorship and advertising opportunities, go to greenbelife
dot com, forward slash, just Say No, and feel free
(59:31):
to reach out to me Maria for any questions. I'm
at Maria at greenbelife dot com or call me at
eight one eight seven five eight six nine two five.
Speaker 9 (59:46):
NBC News on CACAA Lomlada sponsored by Teamsters Local nineteen
thirty two, protecting the Future of Working Families Teamsters nineteen
thirty two, dot org, ABC News Radio.
Speaker 2 (01:00:04):
I'm Brian Schuck.
Speaker 4 (01:00:05):
President Trump says he will meet with Russian president Putin
next
Hello, Hello, and welcome to Just Say No, the show
that spotlights the innovators behind cannabis's newest products and the
groundbreaking ideas driving that legal cannabis movement. I'm your host,
Maria Calibery's broadcasting on KCAA Radio ten fifty AM one
(00:26):
oh six point five FM, the station that leaves no
listener behind. Hey, I'm so grateful to be here today
and so glad that you're able to join me. Before
we dive into today's topic, I want to take a
moment to acknowledge the devastation caused by the reason wildfires
in southern California. Our hearts go out to everyone affected
(00:50):
by these fires, as well as by any other natural
disasters happening somewhere on the planet. Hey, whether you've lost
a home, face the drama of evacuation, or a struggling
with insurance claims, please please know that you are not alone.
And Hey, a huge, huge, heartfelt thank you to our
(01:14):
first responders standing ovation guys. Your tireless efforts, courage and
dedication to keep us safe cannot be understated. You know,
while these challenges bring out the best and the worst
(01:35):
of us, but mostly the best. I'm reminded of our resilience.
Times like these test us in unimaginable ways and highlight
Angelino's extraordinary resolve and unity Southern California. We will recover.
Our communities have come out to help in droves. Compassion
(01:59):
and strength for one another will drive the rebuild, and
we will all thrive after absorbing such an unimaginable loss. Now,
if you're wondering, Maria, what rebuilding has to do with cannabis, well,
I'm going to tell you not that kind of cannabis.
(02:21):
In moments of rebuilding, hope often lies in the solutions
we choose. Today's show, we'll explore one such hopeful solution, hemp,
and why this sustainable crop is proving to be a
real game changer in construction, from fire resistant building materials
(02:41):
to environmentally friendly building practices. Hemp is making a comeback
after decades of prohibition in the United States, and it's
showing us how we can rebuild smarter and more sustainably.
So sit back, take a deep breath, and get ready
to learn more about Ham's promised and post disaster recovery
(03:05):
and ways you can help to build a stronger, more
resilient future.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
By twenty twenty Bank of America and Merrill Lynch estimate
that will grow to thirty five billion dollars, and many
experts believe it could eventually reach two hundred billion dollars
each and every years.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
I can't see much you say you.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
I'm a betterfie who is going to be gun in
the oilet, had to live and cry to appreciate life
and what you give his words it when you're holding meal,
when you hold me so close, someone fether in under
your skill want to leave a life. So then I
can be sure that's you and them the wise been.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Hello, I'm Maria Calbery. Sure our host you're listening to
Just Say No on KCA Radio ten fifty am one
oh six point five FM. We're talking about hemp as
a sustainable crop and building material in the aftermath of
what Southern California has just been through. You know, Southern
cal has experienced an increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires
(04:47):
dating back to the enactment of the nineteen thirty seven
Marijuanattacks Act, which effectively prohibited the cultivation of industrial hemp
in the United States. Now, several factors have contributed towards
this increase of intensity, in wildfire trends, including climate change,
(05:09):
urban expansion into fire prone areas, and historical land management practices. Now,
if we look at wildlife statistics data on wildfires from
the early nineteen hundreds, I'm sorry, if we look at
wildfire statistics, that's what I meant to say. Data on
wildfires from the early nineteen hundreds is limited, but based
(05:31):
on the records that I was able to find, large
scale wildfires were less frequent during the twentieth century. From
nineteen hundred to nineteen ninety nine, California experienced forty five
mega fires. Now, what's a megafire. A mega fire is
a fire burning over one hundred thousand acres. Since two thousand,
(05:54):
there have been thirty five megafires in California, indicating an
enormous uptick in these large scale fires. I mean, think
about it. For almost an entire century we experienced forty
five mega fires, but in the last twenty five years,
thirty five mega fires, the Palisades and Eating Fires in
(06:17):
Los Angeles have burned already nearly forty thousand acres, destroyed
over twelve thousand structures, and resulted in at least twenty
seven fatalities. For a visual representation. Check out the California
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It's called cal Fire
coil FIRA. They provide up to date statistics on wildfires,
(06:44):
including annual data on the number of fires and acres burned.
Another good resource for stats is the California Fire History Map.
It offers an innovative tool to explore wildfire data over time.
While these resource versus admittedly they don't go back as
far as nineteen thirty seven, they do offer and provide
(07:05):
good insights into the trends and impacts of wildfires in
the region. Now. Climate change is among the factors influencing
the increase in these wildfires. Rising temperatures and prolonged droughts
have created conditions conducive to more frequent and severe occurrences.
(07:27):
According to The New Yorker, scientists are now describing a
phenomenon known as hydro climate whiplash. Hey, guys, as far
as I know, last time a check, Mother Earth does
not have airbags or insurance. So this hydroclimate whiplash is
(07:51):
defined as periods of extreme wetness followed by extreme dryness,
which exacerbates fire severity. The growth of urban areas urban
expansion into wild land urban interfaces has also increased the
risk of wildfires impacting densely populated regions. API News reported
(08:17):
that the recent Los Angeles fires have scorched the largest
urban areas in California in at least forty years, affecting
nearly four square miles of densely populated zones. Historical land
management past forest management practices, including fire suppression and logging,
(08:41):
have also led to an accumulation of fuel in forests,
contributing to larger and more intense fires. The Palisades and
even fires underscore the growing threat posed by these wildfires
to our homes, businesses, communities, and environment. This vulnerability is
only expected to grow in size as climate change intensifies
(09:04):
the frequency and scale of these fires, and we cannot, cannot,
cannot take into consideration. The impact of the nineteen thirty
seven Marijuana Tax Act can't be ignored, basically the act
effect of the late criminalized marijuana and post strict regulations
on hemp cultivation. This legislation led to significant decline and
(09:29):
hemp production in the US, making its cultivation and importation
less economical. When we think about our homes, we picture comfort, security,
What comes to mind. I mean, you're kitchen, the smell
of something nice baking in the oven. But have you
ever thought about what your home is made of? Believe
(09:52):
it or not, oil plays a big role. From vinyl
fluorin to plastic siding, Many of the material that make
up modern homes are derived from fossil fuels. Our growing
reliance on petrochemical based materials is a major contributor to
climate warming pollution. Globally, the building sector is responsible for
(10:16):
eleven percent of energy related emissions. Concrete, steal and aluminum
alone count for twenty three percent of all emissions. But
what if there was a better way? In the aftermath
of these catastrophic wildfires, not just here in Los Angeles,
but across the entire country the world, it begs the question,
(10:39):
why not turn to hemp? Could this natural sustainable material
be the key to rebuilding more resilient fire resistant communities.
We'll stay tuned because when I come back after this
quick break from our sponsor, I want to explore hamp
as a natural carbon storing building material that can help
(11:01):
us rethink how we recover and rebuild. Did you know
TC and CBD are just two of more than one
hundred cannabinoids.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
At green Bee Life. You can watch GBL TV with
an evolving slate of original programming.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
I'm going up up.
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From a diverse group of on air personalities.
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to wellness, compliance, social equity, culinary arts, sustainability.
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And much much more. You can learn from articles on
our journal, and you can shop on know and go
for carefully curated, high quality products for a conscious lifestyle.
Watch learn, shop green Bee Life, Changing the way the world.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Welcome back. You're listening to Just Say No on KCA
Radios ten fifty AM one oh six point five FM.
I'm your host, Maria Calbery's and we're discussing hemp as
a sustainable crop and building material. As Southern California looks
to rebuild after these recent horrific fires, there's a growing
pressure to incorporate green building practices that reduce carbon footprints
(12:30):
and promote sustainability. It's a no brainer. Building materials made
from hemp, namely hemp crete, are excellent candidates for this,
as they not only reduce the carbon footprint of construction,
but also contribute to carbon to carbon sequestration over the
lifespan of the building. Many structural engineers will tell you
(12:54):
from the green building community that I spoke with, and
they all agree that carbon storage has become a top
priority and hemp creed is leading the charge. Hemp building
materials aren't a new idea, guys. Hemp has been used
in construction for centuries, with examples of hemp cre structures
(13:17):
lasting hundreds hundreds of years. But in the United States,
the materials history was disrupted by the nineteen thirty seven
Marijuana Tax Act, which effectively banned hemp farming. It wasn't
until the twenty eighteen Farm build that industrial hemp was legalized,
paving the way for its reintroduction into the construction industry.
(13:40):
While reporting on the introduction of hemp building into the
Los Angeles Trade Technical College, I caught up with Sergei Kaboleenkov.
He's the founder and CEO of Hempire. He is leading
the charge and I was able to discuss with him
after he led a panel discussion a little bit about hamp.
(14:03):
It's a building material. Let's have a listen him. Maria
Calibery screen b Life and I've got the great pleasure
of being joined by Sergei Kevalenko, see your own founder
of Empire. Tell us a little bit about Hampire.
Speaker 6 (14:17):
Well, it's the company that I found it four years
ago back in Europe in Ukraine. It's a company that
focuses on hemp building and installation using hampcret technique. So
what we've done we have developed our own own natural
binder that we successfully used on about fifty to sixty
projects that we have completed all across the world. And
now we're here in USA, well in Europe for example,
(14:37):
like hemp crete houses is something that's already normal in US,
it's just arriving, so not many people aware about it.
So it's a educational process. We need to educate students,
We need to educate architects, builders, handbuilding departments. What can
hemp do, what kind of benefits it has. We can
get it into the minds of young people, young professionals,
having them understand how incredible.
Speaker 7 (14:59):
This and is.
Speaker 6 (15:00):
With the twenty something thousand different uses, I mean, they
will just paving a roadway for success. It's the industry
leaders that need to be educated. As we speak. It's
an old material, old plant that we use for centuries.
Now it's relatively new because you know this country last
seventy years of development in that agricultural processing industries. You know,
(15:21):
US has to catch up to Europe the rest of
the countries that's been quite advancing on different techniques of
cultivation and processing.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
Well, it's going to have a very disruptive effect on
the textile industry, right timber Ca. And what advice do
you have for other company founders and CEOs to get
involved the way you are.
Speaker 6 (15:41):
Eventually they're gonna have to switch their sites on ham
and something by degradable and natural because that's the only
solution right now. For the last seventy eighty years, no
one would care less what type of car you drive,
what type of clothes you wear. You wouldn't even question
the origin or what type of chemicals were used. Now
people start to ask these questions.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Oh, the proliferation of cancer, Alzheimer's, global warming.
Speaker 6 (16:06):
Yeah, yeah, people, people are asking legitimate questions. The industry leaders,
you need to set the record straight, you know, by
lowering carbon emissions during the cultivation production of different types
of products, that is what's important right now.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
And is it true that hamp sucks five times the
CO two or much more CO two out of the
air than other crops.
Speaker 6 (16:25):
Two and a half acres of hemp throughout four years
growth period, it sequesters about ten tons of CO two.
I mean, isn't it fantastic? You know, it's carbon based material.
It's a no brainer. We can create all kinds of
different things, you know, textiles, paper. We don't need to
cut trees no more to create paper.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
It's a no brainer. We don't need to cut trees
anymore to make paper. So listen. Hemp grows fast, reaching
up to fifteen feet tall just one and twenty days.
It absorbs more CO two per acre than most plants,
up to fifteen tons of carbon dioxide per hectar during
(17:13):
its growing cycle. Now, a hectar's, by the way, is
equal to ten thousand square meters, which is about two
and a half acres. To visualize it, a hectar's is
roughly the size of a professional rugby or soccer field,
making hemp a hero crop for mitigating climate change. Equally impressive.
(17:35):
When the stalks are turned into hemp creek, a carbon
is locked. It's locked in a way for the lifespan
of the building. So while the process of growing hemp
captures CO two from the atmosphere. When it's used in construction,
this carbon remains locked in the material. This makes hemp
(17:55):
create a carbon negative material, meaning it actually helps combat
climate change by absorbing more carbon dioxide than is admitted
during its production Southern California. It's exciting. I mean it's look,
you know, it's tragic, But there is an opportunity on
(18:18):
the horizon. We have the unique opportunity to set a
precedent for eco friendly construction that aligns with state level
environmental goals, including reducing greenhouse gas and missions if we
were to use hemp crete in our rebuilding efforts. But
the benefits of hemp as a crop, they don't even
(18:42):
end here. Let's talk about them. Hemp regenerate soil. Its
deep roots, break up compacted soil, prevent erosion, and leave
the soil enriched with nutrients for future crops. It even
has the ability to remove toxins through a process called
phital remediation, famously demonstrated and used in areas like Chernobyl.
(19:08):
And let's not forget water usage. Compared to thirsty crops
like kine, hemp requires fifty percent less water while producing
two hundred and fifty percent more fiber per acre. If
that's not enough, It's also a crop that thrives in
a wide variety of climates, and it doesn't require pesticides
(19:29):
or herbicides, further reducing its harmful impact on the environment. Now,
hemps resurgence in the United States began, as I mentioned,
after the passage of the twenty eighteen Farm Built which
legalized industrial hemp after decades of provision. This has allowed
(19:50):
farmers across the country to grow this sustainable crop once again,
with hemp acreage expanding rapidly. But twenty twenty, US hemp
production was are right evaluate at over eight hundred and
twenty four million dollars, which with much of this growth
focused on fibers for industrial use. So industrial use, what
(20:12):
exactly is hemp crete, well, hemp creed. It's a mixture
of hemp herds not HERVs herds, which is the inner
woody core of the hemp stalk line and water. The
result is a lightweight, durable, and highly insulating material. Here's
(20:34):
what makes hemp create such a game changer, and not
only does not burn easily due to the fire resistant
properties of line based hemp crete, it is becoming a
preferred choice for rebuilding efforts and areas that are vulnerable
to wildfires. Studies and industry applications show that hemp crete
(20:56):
is noncombustible and it can withstand higher temperatures better than
traditional building materials. The lime component of the hemp creed
forms a protective barrier that helps resist flames, while it's
porous structure helps it absorb and dissipate heat. I'm going
to throw to a visual demonstration that Serge from Empire
(21:19):
did while he was actually remodeling a house in Northridge, California,
using hemp crete drywall. He took a blow torch to it.
If you have access to KCAA TV streaming TV, you'll
see it. If you're listening to the podcast, you can
watch the video at greenbeelife dot com. Wasn't that amazing?
(21:59):
I mean, giving the increasing occurrences of wildfires in southern California,
using hemp crete for the reconstruction of areas like Pacific Palisy,
Santa Monica, Malibu, Pasadena, and Altadena could provide an added
layer of production, reducing the risk of structural damage in
fire areas. You know, But here's what blew me away.
(22:23):
I was already blown away, But are you ready for this?
Hemp crete is not only fire resistant, it's mold resistant too.
By naturally managing moisture, it makes indoor air quality healthier,
especially important in areas affected by wildfires, where homes and
(22:44):
commercial properties are susceptible to both water and fire damage
during recovery efforts. If fire and mold resistance were not enough,
hold on, here we go. It's energy efficient. It's highly insulative,
which means homes built with hem crete require less energy
(23:07):
for heating and cooling. Jennifer Martin is a design build
professional who specializes in m crete. She explained to me
that among its standout features is its thermal regulating properties
that allow it to absorb and release heat and moisture,
keeping indoor air temperatures and humidity levels stable. Could you
(23:31):
imagine a home that stays cool in the summer, warm
in the winter and doesn't require energy guzzling HVAC systems
to do it? Hmm. It's going to have a disruptive effect,
But we have to either you know, air conditioning and
cooling companies and the old infrastructure is not going to
like this. However, we have to either mitigate the effects
(23:55):
line of climate change or adapt the just to modernize
our infrastructure and how we rebuild to adapt to the
increasing intensity and severity. It's that simple. I mean hemp
cretes fibers can also be used to create a hemp
based drywall, which is stronger, lighter, and more sustainable than
(24:19):
conventional drywall. Hemp drywall check this out. It does not
emit harmful volatile organic compounds VOCs. That's right, it does
not emit VOCs, offering a healthy alternative for indoor spaces.
It makes sense that globally, hemp is already being utilized
(24:42):
as a key material for rebuilding efforts. In the Ukraine,
for instance, hemp crete is being used to reconstruct homes
of buildings destroyed by the war because of its fire
resistant and insulating properties. They're doing this in an effort
to rebuild safer, more energy efficient structures in a country
facing both rebuilding challenges and really really harsh weather in
(25:04):
the winters. But are there caveats to these environmental benefits.
I have the pleasure of attending a webinar shortly before
the passage of the Farm Bill led by Chris Magwood.
Chris is the executive director of a wonderful not for
profit sustainable building school called the Endeavor Center in Peterborough, Ontario.
(25:27):
The school runs two full time certificate programs, Sustainable New
Construction and Sustainable Renovations. Chris is the author of numerous
books on sustainable building. Here is what he had to
say relating to hemps, pros and cons.
Speaker 8 (25:43):
So, the environmental benefits. Again, if you're researching Temprete online,
this is the kind of stuff that you'll hear about,
and some of it is true, and some of it
is sometimes a little bit exaggerated. But the hemp production
is low intensity and relatively low impact. And by that
(26:05):
what people mean is quite often they're able to farmers
are able to grow it with either fewer or absolutely
no pesticides or herbicides. So it's a it is, it
is a need, and it grows. It jumps up quickly
in the spring, and it grows fast, so it tends
to choke out competitors, and there aren't a lot of
(26:29):
insects or other pests that tend to disturb it. So
you know, in comparison to some other crops or lots
of other crops, there's often a lot that's input into
into the hamplant and other egg crops. The herd, that
inner portion of the plant that we're interested in using
(26:50):
for ham creek is also secondary to the seed or
fiber production.
Speaker 9 (26:54):
So you know, if.
Speaker 8 (26:56):
You're if you're sort of calculating the impacts of farming it,
we're actually using the byproduct. So you know, it's a
it's a way of making sure that you can use
the whole plant and not just the heat or the fiber.
Its production doesn't sort of cause any buy products or
industrial waste. The carbon sequestration, I think I've got a
(27:19):
slide that that sort of formulates that a bit later on.
But as with any plant based material, you know, about
fifty percent of the weight of your hemp herd is
literally carbon, and so that's carbon that's been you know,
pulled the seal two is pulled out of the atmosphere
(27:39):
and it sort of added to the to the makeup
of the plant itself. And so if we're kind of
the plants taking that out of the atmosphere and we're
bundling it up and putting it in the wall for
you know, a good long time, fifty hundred years, then
that's that's carbon that's been you know, we moved from
(28:00):
the atmospheric cycle, so it's sort of as a positive
effect that way in terms of carbon and climate change.
There's little to know on site waste or off cuts.
Speaker 6 (28:11):
It's it's a loose.
Speaker 8 (28:12):
Mixed material that you're you're sort of packing into the
area that you want to insulate, and so you just
make as much as you need and if there's any
left over, it can just be composted. There's there's some
needs or to go to landfill, and it does have
really good indoor air quality properties. The combination of the
(28:34):
ferocity of the plant and the anti fungal nature of
the line means it's it's it's really clean, it's not
offcasting anything, and it's not sort of emitting any toxin
into your building or introducing anything that it's anything less
than food grade. So those are all, you know, great
(28:56):
environmental benefits. But there are some uh, caveats to that.
And this is the stuff that sometimes the the online
proponents of HEMP create don't like to talk about. And
I don't think the reasons to not use it, but
that there are things to keep in mind, and that
is that the production of the line is both energy
(29:18):
and carbon intensive. You're harvesting limestone, you're burning it at
a high temperature, and you're you know, creating a bunch
of carbon emissions and other emissions in that burning process.
Advocates of hemp crete will sort of say, well, you
know that the line actually recarbonizes.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
And that's true as it as it.
Speaker 8 (29:41):
Turns back into limestone, that process is reversed and the
CEO two gets drawn back into into the line, but
that that process is not one hundred percent. Depending on
how to pick the wall is you know, test show
is sort of reabsorbing somewhere between like maybe twenty five
and seventy five percent of the CO two and it
(30:04):
doesn't set all address the CO two that was emitted
from the fuel that was used to burn that rock.
So you'll see later on in the side show we
will actually quantify this and overall the material is a
net carbon sequester, But unlike other plant materials, if you're
using celluloaks or straw or core or bamboo or any
(30:27):
of those things, because they don't have the line, their
seaquestration levels are actually higher. Another caveat is that large
scale hemp production does typically use high quantities of fertilizer,
so that obviously has environmental implications. The plant grows anywhere
from sort eight to twelve feet tall in a season
(30:49):
and clearly takes a lot of takes a lot of
nutrients out of the soil in order to be able
to do that unless you're finding organically grown hemp, which
I have not been able to source anything like that
in North America, there is that fertilizer issue. And also,
(31:12):
as I was talking about the line earlier on if
you want to use natural hydraulic lines instead of formulating
your own, that only comes from European sources, and clearly
there's an environmental impact to bringing that from Europe.
Speaker 1 (31:35):
Caveats aside. Hemp's potential and construction is transformative, we can't
deny that. Yet, despite its promise, hemp creep isn't quite
yet mainstream in the US. Only about one hundred hemp
based homes have been built, according to the US Hemp
Building Association, which is a great association to support, by
(31:57):
the way, US Hemp Building is association full of some
really wonderful information and resources. Part of the issue is
supply only eighteen thousand acres of industrial hemp were harvested
in twenty twenty two. This is forced builders to rely
on important hemp, driving up cost. See this is because
(32:19):
of the prohibition and we lost our infrastructure, so we
have to import it from countries in Europe or Canada
or China that have the infrastructure. But we'll get there.
We're America guys. However, things you know, they're changing. Companies
like South Bend Industrial Hemp Processing. They're out of Kansas.
(32:43):
It's an interesting company, South Bend Industrial Hemp Processing. They're building.
They're working to build the infrastructure needed to support a
domestic hemp creat industry here in the United States. Not
only could this lower cost, but it could also bring
jobs to rural communities. As the process sessing and manufacturing
of hemp based products they need to happen close to
(33:04):
where the crop is grown. Costs could be another barrier. Historically,
hemp creek homes could be thirty percent more expensive than
conventional homes. That's due to the prohibition. But with legalization
and as domestic supply chains improve, these costs they're starting
to come down and in some cases, such as a
(33:27):
hemp crete building program in Minnesota's LOWERUS community, the material
has even led to cost savings. And let's think about it,
looking at what the cost is going to be to
rebuild southern California, maybe if the bulk of those structures
were made from hemp crete, even if it had increased
(33:50):
costs up front, it would have been a bargain at
twice the price. Just saying just saying, we need to
just say no, we need to find out kN ow
it comes to making it more accessible to builders across
the US, hemp crete did achieve a major milestone in
twenty twenty two. It was accepted into the International Residential Code.
(34:12):
Now this doesn't mean it's automatically approved in every state
or everywhere, but it's a big step forward. It is
a big step forward. As we wrap up this part
of our discussion, I want to throw back to Chris Magwood,
the executive director of the Endeavor Center, the not for
profit sustainable building school in Ontario, to review and recap
(34:37):
the various uses of hemp crete in building materials.
Speaker 8 (34:42):
Okay, so uses for hemp crete in the building. You're
looking at a whole bunch of them here. So it
can be used as a stealing a roof insallation, walled
insulation under slab insulation. We also use it as the
insulation around our those between the window and the rough framing,
(35:02):
and in this particular building, it's also that's integral with
the windowsills and the trim, so all of that is
actually built out with tempory. Uh, there's a benchtop and
you can do sort of other decorative things with it.
And the hemp also can be incorporated into plasters. So
you know, in that that one building we're looking at,
(35:24):
there's there's temp used in all those different all these
different areas, and so we'll kind of now look at
the specifics of how each of those works. So as
wall insallation, which is you know, by far and away
its most common use. The most typical scenario is it's
(35:47):
installed into a frame mall and quite often a double
stud wall, which allows the either the thickness to be
tailored to the to the amount of installation you want.
So uppere in our climate in Ontario, Canada, we're doing
hemp creep walls that are anywhere between sort of twelve
(36:08):
and sixteen inches thick, and so the the double sub
walls are our space that's far apart, and then we're
using a fairly lightweight mix for those walls. Some when
they put it two hundred and seventy five kilograms per
cubic meter and and that's you know, just enough density
(36:31):
to have the material turn into a solid in the wall,
so it maintains its own shape and is rigid but
as light as possible to get the best our value.
And also I mentioned packing it in around the windows,
so we do that in place of you know, spray foam.
(36:54):
We packed it in around the windows. And you can
either just use it as the window insulation, but we're
we've found works really well is to kind of put
it in the in the framing gap around the window,
but then actually build it all the way out onto
the surface of the wall and make an integral trim.
And that's a great way to quite quickly get a
(37:16):
nice air tight insulated windows system and a trim detail
all at once. And you can continue that to the
inside and the outside, or just one or the other,
or like I said, you could just use the EMP
between the windows. It's it's not the most common use
for mprete. You know, our particular building practice we're you know,
(37:36):
we're always trying to move towards the most natural materials possible.
So you know, to be able to replace something like
spray phone in the scenario with the mprete.
Speaker 1 (37:46):
UH.
Speaker 8 (37:47):
It's our role as pretty will. So for roof inflation,
it's a very lightweight mix and typically we're not sort
of tamping the material at all, so we're just sort
of mixing it and UH and pouring it loose into
those cavities so that that gives us our best our value.
(38:10):
And because it's it's on either the slope or the
flat surface, it doesn't need any tamping or any added
density to to keep it in place there. And then
I mentioned before the subslab mix. You know, we can
see where we're making that a bit denser, so we're
doing that both by adding more line to the mix
(38:31):
but also doing a bit more tamping and UH. And
that gets us to the point where where we can
handle the loads of a slab floor on top of it.
And a few less common uses but also quite valid
and interesting ones. Hence it makes a great masonry material
(38:54):
if you're doing cordwood construction because of what it means
is that rather than having to do a u a
masonry skin on the inside of the outside and or
use insulation into the middle you can just do the
full width with m crete, so you get a much
more air tight corbin construction and much more insulative one.
And so we have to use that a few times
(39:16):
some materiative decorative interior elements. If you if you get
a chance to work with the material, it's it's it's
got a lot of really unique properties. It's extremely sculptural.
It's just kind of like you stick it together, and
even though it's light weight, it holds its shape incredibly well,
so it allows you to do all kinds of sculptural
(39:39):
things with it. And in one case you can see
on the bottom right there, we actually used it as
a perimeter being foundation, so that that's a great based
perimeter being that fit the walls and sit on top.
Speaker 1 (39:54):
Of From hand created rye wall, wall, window, roof and
slab insulation to decorative interior elements, these innovations have the
potential to transform how we rebuild, not just in response
to disasters, but as part of a broader movement toward sustainability.
(40:19):
Kajak Coole, who's a designer, she used him create in
two microhomes in New York's Hudson Valley. She says it
more than just the material, and describes it as part
of a larger movement to build in harmony with nature. Again,
unless we're going to take measures to you know, roll
(40:41):
back climate change and its effect on nature, we have
to build in harmony with nature and with our impact
on nature snow free rides and creates. Success is also
going to depend on overcoming misconceptions like the idea that
it's related to marijuana. Believe it or not, this is
so old it's nothing new. But we still have this
(41:03):
stigma to deal with, as though marijuana is a bad thing.
One structural engineer I caught up with from Verdant Structural
Engineers joked said, everyone thinks we could smoke the house. Okay,
you know, I no, industrial hemp contains less than point
(41:27):
three percent eightcs. I'm not sure you're really gonna want to.
And the stocks used for hampcrete have no psychoactive properties.
But did I mention it's fire retardant? All right? But listen,
speaking of the stigma, we can't fully explore hemp's future
(41:48):
without looking at its past, and the story of hemp
in the United States is one of unrealized potential, largely
due to the stigma around marriage, marijuana at hand association
to it marijuana hemp, both being cannabis and the prohibition.
(42:09):
So before the twentieth century, hemp was widely grown and
used for a variety of purposes, from ship sales to rope. However,
when the nineteen thirty seven Marijuana Tax Act came about,
hemp was lumped together with cycleactive cannabis tight C, the
(42:31):
cannabinoid found in marijuana, leading to its decline. It's absurd.
It should have never been lumped together with it. And
as far as the company you keep, there's nothing wrong
with being lumped together with it. Marijuana, TAC, the psychoactive cannabinoids.
(42:52):
They got a bad rap. So this was further reinforced
by anti cannabis campaigns and the Controlled Substances Act of
nineteen seventy, which classified all cannabis plants as Schedule one.
I like to call it Public Enemy number one, including hemp.
(43:14):
It's just baseless, it's no it's maddening. So I caught
up with the iconic Richard Eastman. Richard is a National Treasurer.
He's a Vietnam War veteran. He's the co founder. The
co founder, him and Dennis Parone with the Medical Marijuana
Act in the United States. I caught up with him
(43:36):
as well at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College panel
on hemp and I'm gonna I'm just gonna hand it
over to Richard. Richard take it away.
Speaker 10 (43:46):
Dennis Parona and I and Jack Herrere were the three
pioneers that changed a lot of the things that happened
with Proposition two fifteen and medical marijuana in America. Hemp
can save the planet, Jack's words, where hemp can save
the planet. Ancient Chinese used to call it ma, the
mothers of all plants, and ultimately.
Speaker 9 (44:04):
It's a rb it's a vegetable.
Speaker 10 (44:06):
You know. Racism played a lot into this over the years.
Literally longer than nineteen thirty seven, a lot of black
and brown kids had to go to jail for a
little plant that not only saved my life, but saves
little kids. Marijuana is such a healing plant. Doctor Todd Mcarea,
who was with the Shaper Commission when Nixon was the president.
It's the same war we're fighting fifty years ago when
(44:26):
Jack and I and Dennis were just young hippies. We're
fighting an evil government that wants to sell you a
whiskey that makes you stupid, Tobacco that kills your lungs.
Speaker 9 (44:33):
It killed Dennis Peron.
Speaker 10 (44:35):
Hemp can save the planet, clothing, oils, medicine. Even Henry
Ford made a car out of hemp. My name is
Richard Eathman, one of the co founders of medical marijuana
in the United States.
Speaker 1 (44:45):
Thank you. That's true. Even Henry Ford made a car
made from hemp. So yeah, this legal landscape, it's stunted
industrial hemp's growth in the United States, while countries like
(45:07):
France and Canada continue to advance hemp production and infrastructure.
The prohibition it also meant that innovations in hemp based materials,
like hemp crete and hemp textiles, they were left unexplored
here in the United States while other nations surged ahead.
Visionaries like Jack Career recognized this misopportunity. In his seminal
(45:33):
book The Emperor Wears No Clothes, Jack Career detailed back
in the sixties, hemp's incredible potential to revolutionize industries. He
famously wrote, you can't make adorable and sustainable society without hemp. Listen,
even if you're not one of the folk involved and
(45:56):
advocated for green initiatives. If you're not sustainability isn't at
the top of your list. You can't make adorable and
sustainable society without HEMP. I don't think there's anybody against
making adorable society, especially given the changes or weather systems
are producing. So you know, herr He argued that HEMP
(46:21):
could serve as a cornerstone for sustainable infrastructure durable as well,
not just for construction, but also for textiles, energy and paper.
His work remains an inspiring call to action for industries. Industries,
please to embrace HEMP as a solution to environmental and
(46:44):
economic challenges. Let's have a listen in my interview with
Patrick Moore, founder of Hemp clothing line Egollution and how
many of you know? Have you heard of Jack Herrer?
I hope?
Speaker 8 (46:56):
Okay?
Speaker 1 (46:58):
Can you just for those who don't know, can you mind?
Speaker 7 (47:01):
Jack hare often referred to as the Emperor of Hemp.
He is the man who wrote The Emperor Wears No Clothes,
the pioneer, groundbreaking master work of historical research pulling together
our long lost history of hemp. You know, a few
people knew a little bit about hemp in the seventies
and eighties, and Jack just kept collecting knowledge and collecting knowledge,
(47:23):
and by the time he pieced it all together, it
became the most recognized counterculture book in history. So yeah,
we all owe Jack Hare a big nod a favor.
There are very few people in this industry worldwide I've
met who didn't say it all started with reading this
book by Jack Hare. A friend of mine in nineteen
ninety found himself in Eastern Europe and because they were
(47:43):
behind the Iron Curtain, they said to the drug war
for fifty years, and so they kept their hemp industry.
The family reworked with in Romania had been producing and
processing it for eight hundred years. So yeah, after the
fall of the Eastern block in the Wall came down,
the trade and hemp opened up with Eastern Europe and
they were decades a century ahead of us. Were where
(48:05):
they were one hundred years ago. By eighty years ninety
years of this war, we've lost all the processing. We
have feral hemp in America. We have no infrastructure, and
we're close. We're America. We'll catch up quickly. But the
lesson in all this is we went medical twenty two
years ago. I helped work on the prop two fifteen
(48:25):
the Meca marijuana bi here in California with Dennis Prone
and Germany about the same time went industrial. Germany went
industrial and started pushing Mercedes Benz to use some hemp,
and they did. They used one percent of hemp twenty
years ago. Put a couple of seats in the car.
They're all Mercedes Benz produced in the world today, thirty
five percent hemp. And they're not giving up things to
(48:48):
go environmental. We're not gonna end up having to dress
like hippies or only drive twenty miles a day, or
have tiny little cars or something. No, we can do
everything we've done, but the wealth of that will be
spread out around the world. So it's the consolidation of
wealth that has been the greatest cost of hemp prohibition.
Speaker 3 (49:09):
And I to mention a lack of education too, right
which the information being spread.
Speaker 7 (49:14):
That's the greatest loss is the information and knowledge. There
were references in the thirties and forties who are put
some prohibition, but by the year two thousand, hemp would
be Cannabis would be a historical ancillary something or another
that a couple academics would know about. Well, here we
are in the twenty first century, and it seems like
one in ten people in the world's wearing a big
(49:35):
pot leaf on their hat. And I can hardly watch
the news without the mentioning it at least once or twice.
So the exact opposite has happened. It has become more
popular than it ever was in history, and it is
branching back out into every major industry on the planet,
from manufacturing to the airplanes to right now, one of
the most exciting breakthroughs.
Speaker 2 (49:56):
Graphine, what advice would you give to these hemp students
and hemp preneers?
Speaker 7 (50:02):
Have to say, sure, right now. The only thing that's
important is get involved. If we don't have fair and
equal access to cannabis, we don't have a cannabis industry.
Speaker 1 (50:17):
If we don't have fair and equal access to cannabis,
we don't have a cannabis industry. If we don't have
fair and equal access, and we don't have a cannabis industry,
we don't have industrial hemp. And I, you know, I
talk to people all the time, and he made a
good point. He was talking about his involvement in the
(50:40):
Compassion Care Act, which brought medical marijuana to the forefront
of the United States and made it legal originally in California.
But there's a whole other side to this multifaceted plant
and crop. There's the medicinal side, but there's the industrial side,
(51:01):
and the industrial side. While we'll have a disruptive effect. Hey,
I'm sure glad we graduated from the horse and buggy
to the car. Now, maybe we could go back to
the hemp car. Listen, you know we can't hold back progress,
but the environment suffering and we're paying the price. So
(51:24):
kudos to the Los Angeles Trade and Technical College for
bringing industrial hemp and have building classes into their curriculum.
While I was attending a panel there, I also I
was so excited I couldn't believe it. We heard Jack
Carreer's name mentioned so many times, and I had the
good fortune to just bump into on the floor his son,
(51:48):
Dan Herrer. Dan Herrere is the founder of the Harrera Foundation,
and let's hear what he had to say about how
investing in this versatile hemp plant and it's many applications.
Can we all know, or at least everybody here knows,
that he can save the world. Do you think it
will save the world?
Speaker 11 (52:08):
Well, it's the only thing that can.
Speaker 12 (52:10):
Yes, we have a great opportunity to use this to
its full utility, and by doing so, we not only
give ourselves sustainable food and sustainable building materials, clothing.
Speaker 11 (52:21):
And medicine.
Speaker 13 (52:22):
There's so many other products that can be developed, used, produced,
and brought into the consumer market that changes how we
live in everyday lives.
Speaker 9 (52:33):
It really is.
Speaker 11 (52:34):
An opportunity for us not only to develop technology and
a use, but this application that it only gives us
the ability to survive the future, but to thrive in it.
Speaker 1 (52:52):
We're not just rebuilding homes in communities. We're building a
better future. You know, I have to say just about
everyone I've run into and I speak to and listeners
all want to know how they can support the affected communities,
bringing it back to the current situation and devastation to
(53:15):
our buildings in Los Angeles. So, if you're looking for
ways to support those impacted by the wildfires or other
natural disasters, consider volunteering your time organizations like the American
Red Cross, United Way or local food banks. There are always,
there are always in need of boots on the ground,
(53:36):
hands on support in disaster affected areas. You can, of
course donate to local organizations, but unfortunately we really have
to vet these. There are fraudsters out there. I'm sorry
to say it, it is what it is, So do
your due diligence. Make sure your donation is directly helping
(53:59):
impact a faire families. I can recommend groups like the
California Community Foundation's Wildlife Relief Fund. To still still ensure
your contributions make an immediate and tangible difference to the
families impacted, consider donating supplies like non perishable food, water, clothing,
and personal care items. Many shelters and community centers are
(54:22):
posting the specific needs online and you can find those
at CACAA at NBC News. They're accessible. Remember, every small
action counts. This can get daunting, it can get overwhelming.
Everybody can feel very helpless at times like these, But
(54:44):
the most important thing is to take care of yourself.
You have to take care of yourself first before you
can give to others. And whether it's offering your time,
your resources, or even just random not just random acts
of kindness, you have the power to uplift those around you.
But first you've got to be rested, You've got to reset,
(55:07):
got to bring your best to this game, guys and
Angelino's always do so. I wanted to talk a little
bit about when it comes to long term planning and preparedness.
Natural disasters remind us of the importance of preparedness. We
can reduce future risks by changing the way the world
(55:28):
sees green and rebuilding. The US had beenfrastructure, but in
the meantime we could focus on education and sustainable practices,
like advocating foreign investing in fire resistant materials, eco friendly materials.
We could support efforts to restore natural ecosystems to act
as buffers against these disasters. They have to do one
(55:50):
or the other both ideally, and isn't have such a
win win because it does hit both boxes. But educate
yourself and your neighbors on emergency plans, evacuateation routes, and
safety measures. Long term resilience isn't just about rebuilding what
was lost. It's about building smarter, stronger, and in harmony
with the environment. Once we get through this and Southern
(56:13):
cal recovers, it's going to be crucial to take steps
to protect ourselves in our communities in the future. Review
your insurance policy annually to ensure your coverage is adequate.
Many people, myself included, are surprised to learn their policy limits.
Having kept up with the rise and cost of rebuilding
or replacing property. Pay close attention to fire coverage and exclusions.
(56:35):
For example, some policies may exclude damage from certain types
of wildfires, or they may require additional writers for complete protection. Lastly,
this is really important. I've put it off way too long.
Consider creating a home inventory, an itemize list of your belongings,
including receipts and appraisals. Get appraisals for valuable items. This
(56:57):
will streamline the claims process should you ever have to
face disaster in the future, as cities rebuild in the
wake of Palisades and ETN wildfires, hemp crete offers a
forward thinking solution that aligns with the global shift towards
sustainability and construction. Not only can it be used for homes,
but it can also play a role in building public infrastructure,
(57:17):
including our very own fire stations, schools, and community centers.
The road ahead isn't without challenges Angelino's, but as more builders, designers,
and policymakers recognize the benefits of hemp crete and your
desire for it. This historical material could play a vital
(57:38):
role in tackling the climate crisis. Thanks for listening to
Just Saying No. Be sure to subscribe at greenbey life
dot com for more insights into sustainable innovations from the
Cannabis plant. And if you enjoy today's episode, share it
with someone who might be inspired to build greener. Together,
we could rebuild stronger, not just our homes, but our
(57:58):
sense of community and a greener, safer hope for the future. Remember,
challenges may test us, but they also bring out the
best in us. Let's carry that spirit forward as we
work together in this rebuild. Stay safe, stay inspired, and
let's commit to showing up for one another, not just
the moments of crisis, but in everyday efforts. Until next time,
(58:20):
I'm Maria Calbry's reminding you to rethink, rebuild, and restore
with nature in mind. Until next week, Just Say No
with a k n OW. Just Say No is a
green bee Life presentation airing live weekly on Friday afternoons
(58:42):
from four to five pm Pacific on kca Radio and
KCAA TV. Archived audio episodes are on Greenbeelife, greenbelife dot com, iHeartRadio, Speaker,
and most third party major platforms. For archived videos, check
them out on GBLTV, on Greenbeelfe YouTube, and Rumble. To
(59:09):
follow us our Instagram and Facebook is at just Say
No Radio. To apply to be a guest on the
show or for sponsorship and advertising opportunities, go to greenbelife
dot com, forward slash, just Say No, and feel free
(59:31):
to reach out to me Maria for any questions. I'm
at Maria at greenbelife dot com or call me at
eight one eight seven five eight six nine two five.
Speaker 9 (59:46):
NBC News on CACAA Lomlada sponsored by Teamsters Local nineteen
thirty two, protecting the Future of Working Families Teamsters nineteen
thirty two, dot org, ABC News Radio.
Speaker 2 (01:00:04):
I'm Brian Schuck.
Speaker 4 (01:00:05):
President Trump says he will meet with Russian president Putin
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