By the late 1820s, the new American hand cotton gins (invented by Eli Whitney in 1793) were largely replaced by European made industrial looms and cotton gins (gin is short for engine), because of Europeamp;rsquo;s primary equipment machinery technology (tool and die making) lead over America. Fifty percent of all chemicals used in American agriculture today are used in cotton growing. Hemp needs no chemicals and has few weed or insect enemies, except for the U. S. government and the DEA. For the first time, light cotton clothing could be produced at less cost than hand retting (rotting) and hand separating hemp fibers to be hand spun on spinning wheels and jennys. However, because of its strength, softness, warmth and long lasting qualities, hemp continued to be the second most used natural fiber until the 1930s. In case youamp;rsquo;re wondering, there is no THC or high in hemp fiber. Thatamp;rsquo;s right, you canamp;rsquo;t smoke your shirt! In fact, attempting to smoke hemp fabric, or any fabric, for that matter, could be fatal! - Jack Herer
