It is National Cannabis Day (4/20)! Throughout the ongoing push for cannabis legalization worldwide, today is especially important for all within the cannabis community. It is on this date that we take a closer look at the history of cannabis, known medicinal research discoveries, and cannabis in relation to the law.

How did 4/20 come to be? It is believed to have originated from a story of a few high schoolers in the 1970s. A group who referred to themselves as The Waldos, often met on occasion to go and hunt for hidden cannabis plants that were managed by a Coast Guard service member. They used 4:20pm as a secret code to meet up. Thus, began the trend of 4/20. The origin and connection to 4/20 has many tales that relate to police coding in California and famous songs in music. But there is one thing that is for sure; the celebration of cannabis has only grown from then with so much rich history behind it.

In the light of April 20th, there are still some ways that you can celebrate today:

• You can look into a few CBD products that may have caught your eye recently. Whether it’s buying a hand cream or using one of your favorite oils; hemp-deprived CBD products are an increasing trend.
• Think about donating to a known cannabis charity. Many contribute to the support of medicinal cannabis research while others aid the educational aspect of cannabis research.
• Use social media! Talk about how cannabis has made an impact in your life or share some insights you find interesting with your friends and family.

Get creative in celebrating today. The cannabis industry continues to strive and be a voice for those wanting to make a difference. 

~ The PG Health Team

It is believed that cannabis originated in an ancient village in Asia. Ever wondered how it made its way to the United States? Hemp was often used during the times of World War II and dated back to colonial times. The crop was planted and used for materials such as clothing and tools that would be useful for ships in order to maintain smooth sailing. Farmers who were apart of the War-era grew many fields of cannabis Sativa.

FUN FACT #1: “More than 120,000 pounds of hemp fiber was needed to rig the 44-gun USS Constitution, America’s oldest Navy ship affectionately called “Old Ironsides.” – Farm Collector

Hemp became an important crop for war-craft, including ship builds and repairs. During the era in which many spent their time out at sea, hemp became widely popular because of its interesting form of cultivation and having a “natural decay resistance” structure. By the 1600s, hemp was used to produce many cloths or paper-based materials in the south.

FUN FACT #2: “The first drafts of the Declaration of Independence were penned on hemp paper”. – Farm Collector

FUN FACT #3: “Hemp was also considered a form of currency in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland”. – History

During World War II, hemp was also used to prepare the shoelaces of the soldiers and made it possible for parachutes to maintain sturdy webbing for paratroopers. Throughout history, the continuous use of hemp has grown and evolved from methods of war-craft to having the potential to provide medicinal benefits for the mind and body. The future utilization of hemp can be viewed as something quite fascinating. With the industry moving at such a fast pace, one can definitely foresee its success through cultivation.

~ The PG Team

One of our main focal points, as an active contributor to the medical cannabis industry, is to educate the community on both insightful and useful information. In partnership with Visions and Pathways, the Now You Know – Educating Youth on the Legalization of Marijuana workshop series has completed five successful sessions this year in Essex, Morris, and Somerset County. We have educated over 150 youths and adults within a 6 month period. We also offered a special session for the NAACP-NJ (National Advancement of Colored People) Chapter in September. Through this, the workshop provided a high level of knowledge geared toward various key topics within the cannabis industry involving components such as, but not limited to:

• The cannabis industry
• Health risks and benefits
• Plant structure
• Various aspects of the law
• Career and business opportunities

Through outreach and educating the youth and general public on the many factors that involve medical cannabis, the goal behind the workshop was to educate those on marijuana, its history and legal background, and its ever-evolving presence in society. 

A very special thanks to our partners for the workshop series: Visions and Pathways, 68 Partners, NJ CannaBusiness Association, NJ Cannabis Commission, Black Cannabis, BCB Bank, Lauletta Birnbaum, LLC, DACO, Ford Harrison Law Firm, Cole Schotz Law Firm, Diasporic Alliance for Cannabis Opportunities, Jasmine Brown, Hope Wiseman, Norris McLaughlin, P.A, Desiree Ivey, and MJM Strategy.

~ The PG Health Team

South Carolina, one of the many states that are legally allowed to grow and harvest industrial hemp has an interesting way of farming cannabis. We’ve got the inside look on a hi-tech growing breakthrough.

This month, the PG Health team traveled to Columbia, South Carolina, home of the largest apple-producing area, and were given an inside look at the process of cannabis growth. The host of our stay, Eric Berry introduced us to a number of farms that specialize in using hi-tech equipment to aid in the growth and storage portion of hemp farming.

Growth and Seeds

Dating back to its earliest history, hemp (cannabis plant) is one of the oldest crops that have been cultivated. The process of growing hemp requires extensive care and ideal climate aspects to become a cultivation success. The cost of hemp seeds totals $120,000 which includes 5,000-7,000 seeds per acre. Planting starts the third week of May and follows through into the first week of June. From then on, hemp is then transplanted into 40″ rows on flat ground. Like many plants, it requires moisture to set the roots. Being careful not to overwater the cannabis plant, it still requires an adequate amount to continue its life cycle. Weeding is also a concern which requires close attention on a daily basis; including checking for plants that have matured and do not contain pollen sacs. The ration of land per labor to grow and harvest 8 per acre. In order to carry out the plan to successfully cultivate hemp, the following equipment is required:

• Raised bed shaper
• Plastic mulch layers with drip applicators
• Transplanter (a machine used for transplanting seedlings fields) with tray racks
• Plastic mulch retriever 
• Bed mower
• Seeds (Hemp certified CBD seeds)

Alongside this, information on the farmer as well approval is required from the department of agriculture before the process can begin.

Storage

After harvesting, hemp is transported by trucks in bags and then stored indoors for drying. This includes warehouse floors, dehumidifiers, fans, tobacco farms, sheds, and mechanical dryers. The goal is to keep the area dry, well ventilated and out of direct sunlight. The amount of time the hemp is left to dry is two weeks. In order to avoid the growth of mold and mildew, growers should “break off the individual branches from the hemp plant and hang branches on the drying wire, not whole plants” (George Place of N.C. Cooperative Extension, Catawba County Center).

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The process of healthy hemp growth is extensive and high-quality cannabis must originate from successful production. Cannabis farming is increasing more each day and is used for a variety of different purposes including but not limited to medicine, manufacturing, energy, and much more. The hemp plant is more than just its green fixtures but a complex resource.

~ PG Health Team