HEMP.
Most Americans choose to remain ignorant concerning the many economical advantages of Hemp and what it can provide. They resist learning about it and its qualities due to the narcotic stigma that has been attached: Hemp equals marijuana, which equals drugs, which inevitably leads to legal harassment and public unawareness.
To clear up misinformation given about this harmless yet useful plant, Hemp is the product of the unfertilized Cannabis plant, whether it be male or female. Being unfertilized makes it impossible for any THC to be produced; thus it would be incorrect to say that the Hemp could be used for any type of mind-altering drug. Likewise- if one were to grow yeast or hops and had it in its pure and natural form, it would not be considered alcoholic.
Now to focus on the wide range of what hemp can do for us. The plant can be made into paper, rope, clothing, wood, plastic, cement, fiberglass, construction material, can produce most any grade of petrol and can also be made into food and beer. .
Compared to recycled tree paper that can only be "recycled" 3 times, Hemp paper can be recycled up to 8 times. Currently, recycled tree paper is manufactured from both virgin-tree fibers and recycled fibers with one exception: that is 100% post-consumer paper, which is made from 100% recycled fibers. Therefore, trees are cut to make most recycled paper, whereas recycled hemp paper comes from 100% recycled fiber. Due to its outstanding durability, important documents such as The Gutenberg Bible, Thomas Paine's pamphlets, the novels of Mark Twain, and the United States Constitution were all printed on hemp paper.
The cannabis plant is fast-growing (70 to 110 days to mature to a 6-16 foot stalk)- and can grow in most, if not all climates. This however, can not be said for soft wood trees (paper-making trees) or cotton plants.