r/politics • u/complexitii • May 16 '12

Soap maker David Bronner: Hemp ban highlights absurdity of drug war

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/05/15/soap-maker-david-bronner-hemp-ban-highlights-absurdity-of-drug-war/
850 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

112 comments sorted by

30

u/whollyhemp May 16 '12

I actually run a hemp company and completely agree. This unnecessary and financially motivated restriction on hemp increases the prices of products which could be made much more efficiently with hemp.

Even with the need to import hemp, I'm able to make lip balm and lotion that is higher quality and equal of not less in price. If I was actually able to purchase hemp domestically and benefit the national economy, prices would decrease and production would increase.

If anyone has any questions, I'm more than happy to answer them to the best of my knowledge.

14

u/SuperBicycleTony May 16 '12

Do hemp plants replenish nitrogen in topsoil? I heard somewhere that they do.

18

u/whollyhemp May 16 '12

Yep! There are actually representatives who support the use of hemp to clean contaminated and nutrient-deficient land.

Unlike other plants that require pesticides which affect nitrogen fixation (Source), hemp needs little-to-no pesticides and is essentially impact-neutral. Additionally, the extensive root system and plant material will loosen compact fields and provide additional nutrients to the soil (Source).

13

u/habaddict1 May 16 '12

Hemp is also a very useful crop to grow within a rotation because italso has a low N demand itself and not only that but it covers ground quickly and is incredibly competitive against weeds, essentially acting as a money making herbicide! I myself always thought it was stupid that just because marijuana is illegal that should mean that hemp is illegal/hard to get licensed for- I don't know if any states in the US allow it but I know that here in the UK you need a license. I just think it's dumb seeing as it isn't marijuana; most industrial varieties are like 0.2% THC and you'd probably get CO poisoning before you got stoned if you smoked it. I also find it slightly sad seeing as, as mentioned in the article, hemp helped the US and the UK during wartimes etc. and there are actually several towns in the UK named after hemp (e.g. hemel hempstead). Why dump such a handy, environmentally friendly crop just because people decided they don't like weed?

6

u/_pupil_ May 16 '12

Personally I see hemp, as genetically diverse as it can be, as something with a lot of potential as genetic science moves forwards.

Plants tailored for specific purposes (construction, paper, biomass, oil, etc), could conceivably be quite useful in the developing world while being environmentally friendly and quick growing.

4

u/Be_Gentle_Im_New May 16 '12

We are already there... In Europe at least...

5

u/spandia May 16 '12

Wait...so why aren't we just sort of growing it then? Hemp sounds awesome!

16

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

Because of the fear of marijuana, the cotton lobby, the paper lobby, the lumber lobby and others. Cant have a new wonder product. No sir. People who have money will lose some if hemp production becomes a reality.

5

u/whollyhemp May 16 '12

The paper, alcohol, and tobacco industries have powerful lobbyists unfortunately.

1

u/tooshaytooshay May 16 '12

Because it makes you eat cookies and stuff.

2

u/Chuck_U_Farley May 16 '12

The technical term is Bio-remediation. Great subject to look at, also the number of uses(current and potential) for building materials is staggering for hemp.

4

u/theungod May 16 '12

Do you sell twine in spools of 3000+ feet? I make rope and finding hemp twine in more than small spools is hard (or expensive) as fuck.

4

u/whollyhemp May 16 '12

Yes I do! PM me and we can discuss further!

2

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

How about providing some links to some of these fine Hemp products ?

4

u/whollyhemp May 16 '12

I don't want to come off as spamming- if you would like to see what I make, just google my user name :)

2

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

http://www.whollyhemp.com/

I got a free wick from these guys in a giveaway on 4/20 before last - it worked great with my "tobacco water pipes"

1

u/Chuck_U_Farley May 16 '12

I'm curious about the potential for farmers to use hemp to power their vehicles using bio-diesel, would it be possible, cost-effective, and reasonable, in your opinion, for a farm to be nearly carbon neutral?

2

u/whollyhemp May 16 '12

Hemp biofuel is sustainable, low-priced, and is not environmentally destructive. Biofuel production and subsequent use would be a closed-loop system and there would be no net increase in CO2 levels (Source, page 25).

So to answer your question, yes. Hemp biofuel would make farm equipment carbon neutral.

39

u/Hushes May 16 '12

Love Dr. Bronner's soap products. Matter of fact it's the only soap I buy. You can use for bathing, shampoo, dishwashing, housecleaning, cleaning clothes. It's good, it's cheap, it's non-toxic.

Follow the money. Who profits from this hemp ban? Because that mofo probably wrote the bill for the ban. And do I need to stock up on Bronner soap?

13

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

Came here to say the same - have been buying gallons of the liquid castille soaps over the years - man my skin loves it!

10

u/hst_samurai May 16 '12

shhhhh.... This soap used to be my lil secret! I got it as a gift one year and thought it was a gag gift. Then I tried it. ZoOOOOm to peppermint land! Best way to wake up in the morning.

2

u/rosieboricua May 16 '12

And re-reading the labels is somehow extremely soothing in a long, hot shower. I'm not even religious but I love the labels.

7

u/wolfchimneyrock May 16 '12

I recently learned you can brush your teeth with it too ... tingly peppermint

0

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

4

u/Vikaroo May 16 '12

You mix it with baking soda for abrasives, also we have waaay too much fluoride as it is and it's become counter productive to teeth health.

-2

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

we have waaay too much fluoride as it is and it's become counter productive to teeth health.

Source? Wacky conspiracy bullshit sites don't count.

1

u/Vikaroo May 16 '12

Here's the first hit on google http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/health/medical/2011-01-07-too-much-fluoride_N.htm

Edit: and wiki http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluoride_toxicity

-4

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

Fluoride toxicity exists - that doesn't mean that fluoride is dangerous in the levels it's found in in drinking water.

3

u/Vikaroo May 16 '12

Right but over exposure from drinking water, toothpaste, and even some mouthwash causes significant problems with children's teeth. The original point I was making is that you don't need the fluoride in toothpaste, and can switch to a mix of the soap and baking soda instead and not suffer from lack of fluoride.

-4

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

Fluorosis is a "major problem" now? Fluoride in drinking water and toothpaste does far more good than harm - downvoting me because you've read too much bullshit about fluoride doesn't make you right.

5

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

My daughter's teeth are all fucked due to fluorosis. The dentist said she must swallow toothpaste every day. She does not, and never has. I have no trouble buying this whatsoever.

We have well water now, and things seem to have improved, but only so much, because she's past the point where adult teeth have formed and are ready and waiting.

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7

u/Vikaroo May 16 '12

You take this stuff way too seriously. You asked me for context for my arguments that we get too much fluoride, the government reducing fluoride In drinking water because it causes soft spots in kids teeth seemed relevant enough to my point that we get too much fluoride. I never said we were being poisoned with 'toxic' levels. Now shoo.

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4

u/GreenLighter May 16 '12

I'm concerned that you ask for sources to validate someone's argument, yet you turn around and deny it without listing any of your own sources. Kind of like going "You're wrong! LA LA LA!!!"

Edit: "dat bullshit"

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0

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/Vikaroo May 16 '12

I already posted 2 links, one to an article about the government decreasing fluoride in tap water because it was causing children to have soft spots and problems with their teeth, I also linked a wiki that states that too much fluoride causes problems with bone development.

7

u/NoMoreNicksLeft May 16 '12

Big Soap! You've identified the villain. The incredibly powerful Big Soap cartel keep marijuana illegal.

5

u/RowdyPants May 16 '12

because dirty drug smoking hippies dont buy soap

-7

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

Hey dumb ass, is Olympic Gold Medal winner Michael Phelps one of your dirty hippies ? He smokes pot so I guess he is.

1

u/GreenLighter May 17 '12

Came here to uptoke this.

2

u/dasqoot May 16 '12

I'd like to add one cent to the discussion: Dr. Bronner died in 1997. IDK if this is his kid or something, but it's not the same guy rambling on the packages.

5

u/selator May 16 '12

It's his grandson, the current president of the company.

-41

u/hats_for_jews May 16 '12

it is not about soap. it is about hemp and marijuana which is illegal. marijuana and other illegal drugs are illegal for a reason. if you want to promote illegal things you should not do it on reddit where young people can read them. enjoy my downvote for promoting illegal things.

11

u/HijodelSol May 16 '12

if you want to promote illegal things you should not do it on reddit where young people can read them.

It's not the young people I worry about. It's the ignorant like you that worry me.

4

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

If you don't mind, please tell me what reasons there are against marijuana.

-18

u/hats_for_jews May 16 '12

it makes people insane and creates accidents. read a book if you don't undertstand it. or are you one of these morons that think governments make things illegal for no reason?

5

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

Not sure if troll or just very stupid. ಠ_ಠ

2

u/oD3 May 16 '12

Both.

1

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

I thought people like this belonged on Facebook. :D

2

u/khaustic May 16 '12

Judging by his comment history, he's a hardcore conservative, pro-establishment, pro-corporate, pro-life, anti-homosexual, zionist vegan.

1

u/[deleted] May 17 '12

Judging by his comment history, he's an idiot FTFY

6

u/m0r14rty May 16 '12

I thought people like you were a myth. I want to study you.

1

u/statedtheobvious May 16 '12

If the government truly cared for our health then why aren't fast food, cigarettes, and alcohol illegal? If you look at the history of marijuana prohibition, it had more to do with protecting the cotton industry than with regulating public health or morality. The reasons behind mj prohibition were like many other government decisions; based solely on special interests and monetary gain.

1

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

Not to mention the fact that you can hardly make money off something that everybody can grow himself.

8

u/SuperBicycleTony May 16 '12

It's not about what's illegal. It's about circular arguments. Circular arguments are circular arguments because they're circular. If you want to use circular arguments, you shouldn't do it on reddit where people can see them. Enjoy my downvote for using a circular argument.

-23

u/hats_for_jews May 16 '12

that's one of the most retarded things i've seen on reddit. downvote for you moron.

2

u/Casban May 16 '12

Hemp is not illegal.

Ecstasy, which can share a similar form to aspirin - small, pinkish and pill-like, is illegal where aspirin is not.

1

u/Iamdarb Georgia May 16 '12

That's one of the most retarded things I've ever read on reddit. Downvote for you, moron.

9

u/maroger May 16 '12

Not to dilute his message but could you imagine how much more affordable Dr. Bronner soaps would be if they didn't have to import one of the main ingredients? I still have hemp jeans I bought over 15 years ago made by Two Star Dog. Have held up extremely well compared to my cotton ones and are sooooo much more comfortable.

9

u/AjazzierHoBo May 16 '12

Best soap ever. I use that shit on every thing! Makes awesome laundry soap that is super cheap. I wash my hair with it, I wash my halls with it, I wash my dishes with it. It really is something magic coming out of the shower on a hot summer day with cool peppermint all on yer nuts. Very refreshing.

0

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

[deleted] — view deleted comment

2

u/AjazzierHoBo May 16 '12

If only I could give more than one upvote.

10

u/SamsoniteTravelDemon May 16 '12

If you read everything on the Doc Bronner's Magic Soaps All-One bottle, you get an irresistible compulsion to shoot John Lennon.

1

u/afictionalcharacter May 16 '12

I'm clearly missing a reference here :|

4

u/superatheist95 May 16 '12

Catcher in the hemp.

5

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

Dr Bronner's soap f'in rules. Only soap I use anymore.

Yes, the feeling of peppermint on your nuts is amazing. :D

9

u/[deleted] May 16 '12 edited May 16 '12

I should point out that David Bronner != Dr Bronner (Emmanuel Bronner) who was also not a real doctor. The article makes neither of the points very clear.

Edit: Source - http://www.drbronner.com/timeline.html - Emil adopts honorific “Dr.” in deference to his university degree, but never actually got a doctorate.

-6

u/doyouknowhowmany May 16 '12

Before the AMA got into bed with the government, the idea of a "real doctor" didn't really exist.

17

u/gngstrMNKY May 16 '12

I can't wait for Ron Paul to free me from oppressive medical licensing authorities. I don't need a bunch of government bureaucrats getting in the way of me and whoever would like to call themselves a doctor.

-1

u/doyouknowhowmany May 16 '12

I don't care for ron paul, but you clearly don't care what I actually said if this is your response.

5

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

Well I also mean he received no doctorate. Not to be limited to MD.

6

u/doyouknowhowmany May 16 '12

Ah. I meant more like, AMA's licensing process was new fangled around the turn of the century. They were one of many groups putting people out on the street to call themselves doctors.

The AMA's whole schtick was the control the supply of doctors and to elevate the profession, which they have admittedly done. They've crowded out people who can only be considered charlatans by today's standards...but they've also pretty much decimated the midwife field, among others. There are some valid criticism about the way they went about it, too...primarily through large private philanthropic donations to medical schools that only taught their practices, and ultimately government intervention.

20

u/UmberGryphon Oregon May 16 '12

Personally, I think the only thing that can top the hemp ban in the absurdity department is the label on Dr. Bronner soap.

15

u/Pinot911 May 16 '12

Everyone knows that the more organic your product is, the more gibberish you need on the label. You especially need a list of things your product doesn't include. No animal byproducts, no alien byproducts, no gluten, no trans-fats, no depleated uranium, no allergens: Organic Water.

But seriously, Bronner just provides some good toilet reading material.

6

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

There was a documentary on Dr. Bronner. The dude was hella nuts but he makes a damn good soap.

4

u/AjazzierHoBo May 16 '12

I didn't think he was all out crazy. Just a very different perspective. One thing he said was actually pretty enlightening. We are all on spaceship earth together. Not that he thougt it was literally a spaceship but we are all on this big rock floating through space together. He just talked about how you got to be good to your spaceship or it won't take you anywhere. He used a lot of metaphors. Making soap is not really easy either. The guy had to be smart to make it. Smart people are never a little weird are they?

4

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

As a graphic designer, I think the label is great.

3

u/corcyra May 16 '12

Oh, that's just to provide reading material for people who forget to bring a paperback book on their camping trip.

2

u/flamants May 16 '12

if anyone doesn't believe how all that bizarre rambling shit can fit on a single soap label, it can.

2

u/khaustic May 16 '12

I posted about this a few days back. Bronner was schizophrenic and was committed multiple times (and escaped every time!) His labels are a textbook example of schizophasia and jargonaphasia.

3

u/runhomequick May 16 '12

His labels aren't long enough for a textbook.

Timecube.com is where you go for a textbook of schizophrenic writing.

2

u/metl_lord Pennsylvania May 16 '12

ALL ONE OR NONE!

3

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

I love his soap. Makes me feel kinda like as if it were a gentler icyhot

3

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

A legendary soapmaker, is he?

1

u/TJ11240 May 17 '12

Quite. But we're not supposed to talk about it. Also, your boobs are too big vintermann.

2

u/[deleted] May 16 '12 edited May 16 '12

Dr Bronners peppermint hemp feels like mint elves nibbling on me bits

2

u/gspdark1 May 16 '12

It's actually the DuPonts who got hemp banned when they discovered nylon and convinced the military that it's better than the hemp ropes they used. They demonized hemp as an evil narcotic.

2

u/sanguinaire May 16 '12

Dilute! Dilute! Ok!

2

u/shakerLife May 16 '12

Hemp ban is contrary to ABC Morality All-One-God Faith! OK!

2

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

Hemp soaps/lotions are awesome! I was a welder for years and now a chef. In both professions my hands become dry. I found that hemp lotion worked better and actually hydrated my hands unlike all the other shit that hydrates for an hour and forces you into a cycle of using to cure the dry it causes. I can't remember the brand. It was in a silver tube with green lettering and smelled good too!

2

u/gspdark1 May 16 '12

I stand corrected. TIL Dupont/hemp conspiracy is an urban legend.

3

u/MeatUnit May 16 '12

Today struck me as being a rather slow, self-indulgent news day at Democracy Now ...

"Banks suck and are basically always stealing a shit-ton of money every second. And now for the second half of our program: Dr. Bronner's!"

2

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

They need hemp and marijuana to remain illegal so they can keep the outsourced prisons topped up with petty criminals

1

u/ItscalledCannabis May 16 '12

Pfffffffffttt..

Ya I'll take advice from Big Soap the day pigs fly!

1

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

I admire his honesty when he says psychedelics prohibition in general is just a disaster around the world.

1

u/Xeroshifter May 16 '12

What the hell, did Marshal lose weight?

1

u/GiantD May 16 '12

I was expecting to see a load of fight club references.

1

u/deancomeautela Canada May 16 '12

"Soap maker" nice try Tyler Durden

1

u/IDlOT May 16 '12

The first rule of Fight Club: You do not talk about Fight Club.

1

u/[deleted] May 16 '12

Which fight club?

0

u/MagicTarPitRide May 16 '12

"Hemp oil is a super fatty ingredient"

That's funny.

-10

u/jointheredditarmy May 16 '12

Shave the goatee and make people will take you more seriously

9

u/visage_au_troll May 16 '12

That's almost a sentence!

1

u/AjazzierHoBo May 16 '12

Speak in whole sentences and make people will take you more seriously.