lime hemp is a great material.  in terms of low energy construction that means low energy and use.  building in this way means you can keep energy usage down and it is excellent in terms of embodied carbon because the hemp absorbs co2 when it grows.  the walling structure is negative carbon.

the hemp used has a very low narcotic content and is fully licensed by the government to be grown in the uk.

it is also an insulating walling material where the structural strength comes from the timber frame and the hemp lime creates the bulk of the wall which does the insulation.

please tell everyone you know to ask their u.s. rep to support hr1831, the industrial hemp farming act! see www.votehemp.com for the latest developments.

farmers in many states are ready to start growing it here in the u.s.. farmers in canada are now growing and profiting from it. here is an example of fiber usage and benefits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb9teck_hy4 hemp oil was replaced with petroleum oil in paints after it was banned in the mid 1930’s. ben franklin use hemp oil based ink. if we are trying to move from petroleum based products hemp is essential. it can be burned as a bio fuel if necessary.

one acre of hemp can save 4.1 acres of trees in fiber production. that statistic is from the usda.

birdseed used to contain 50% hempseed. the birds would eat those first. what impact did this have on bird health and appetite for pests?

here is a video on hempcrete housing. hundreds have been build in europe and studies show the walls actually absorb co2. http://bcove.me/mq4q659c

as a last resource, all backed by bibliography, please reference http://www.jackherer.com/thebook/chapter-two/

2.5 acres of ihemp will provide the insulation for an average size home and grows in 12-14 weeks.

hempcrete walls are vapor permeable, locking in co2 when in the field and continuing to sequester co2 for years after the house is complete, thereby improving indoor air quality for residents.

http://www.hemp-technologies.com