Hemp is a renewable resource that can be used as biodiesel fuel to power automobiles. The original diesel engine was designed to run on peanut oil, not fossil fuel. Hemp is better to use for biodiesel than anything else because it produces more fuel.
So why the switch to fossil fuels? Basically it was economics. When biofuels where competing with petroleum fuel a few things happened. The oil companies became bigger, and could afford to advertise. At that time they could sell petrol at a cheaper price than biofuel was selling for. People were making money discovering new oil wells, so there was no financial motivation to use other sources . Then of course there was the marijuana prohibition that lumped hemp and marijuana together. The government put a lid on hemp and the idea of biodiesel was shelved.
Facts about biodiesel:
- Non toxic.
- Can be used in diesel engines.
- Biodegradable.
- Produces less carbon dioxide emissions.
- Cheap to produce.
- Less wear on engines.