More than words – The Voice of There

HEMP BEACH

by Mari_J

The Hemp Beach. Formerly known as the 420 Beach is located on the southwest side of Caldera Island. A tour of this once quiet and empty beach takes a bit of time as you explore what is now a self sustaining community. Starting out as a small trailer park, G_Mon_420, friends and various clubs have grown from a small trailer park community to a full scale town of business, residence and gathering places. While hemp or the “marijuana” leaf has been a source of controversy in game for some time, this community has continued to grow, undergo changes and become one of the longest running communities in There. G_Mon_420 has been working with There on changing the name with the hopes of getting this community a spot on the There map. What makes this community continue to grow and thrive? I decided to find some information on hemp, its history, it’s appeal and get a general idea before I headed off to the Hemp Beach and take a look for myself and chat with G_Mon_420.

According to Hemp Industries Association, a group whose purpose is to represent the interests of the Hemp industry and to encourage the research and development of new hemp products, hemp is among the oldest industries on the planet. It actually dates back more than 10,000 years to the beginnings of pottery. The HIA website informs it’s visitors that “The Columbia History of the World states that the oldest relic of human industry is a bit of hemp fabric dating back to approximately 8,000 BC” The hemp industry has a very interesting history as farmers were encouraged to cultivate hemp to help in the war effort after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. After the war the government shut down the hemp processing plants and that industry faded away. During the 1940’s to the 60’s the government acknowledged that industrial hemp and marijuana were distinct varieties of the cannabis plant. With the passage of the Controlled Substances ACT of 1970 the government no longer recognized that distinction, even though there was a specific exemption for hemp in the act. A few other interesting facts that I found out about hemp:

1) Presidents Washington and Jefferson both grew hemp and that the government actually subsidized hemp during the Second World War and that US farmers grew over a million acres of hemp as part of that program.

2) Hemp seed is more nutritious than soybeans, is second only to soybeans in complete protein and is more digestible by humans and can not be used as a drug.

3) The bark of the hemp stalk contains bast fibers which are among the Earth’s longest natural soft fibers. The hemp stalk can not be used as a drug and is stronger, more absorbent and isolative than cotton fiber.

4) Hemp produces more pulp per acre than timber and can be used for every quality of paper. It can also reduce wastewater and does in fact help save trees.

The list goes on. For more info concerning the history and uses of hemp you can visit the HIA website at www.thehia.org

It appears that There Inc does recognize and acknowledge the distinction between hemp and marijuana. G_Mon_420 explained that in the early days of There, he was allowed to submit items with the term 420 on it. That position has changed and they ask that it be referred to as Hemp. So the 420 club and line of clothing and items is now officially Hemp Time. Hemp Time is based at the Hemp Beach. Now granted, at first look one does see an overabundance of “hemp” leaves. The leaves decorate everything from rugs, screens, posters, clothing, buggies and just about every product imaginable in There. I asked G_Mon_420 to give me a tour of the beach and tell me about the community. We started out on the south end of the beach. Visitors are welcomed by a large castle built by G_Mon_420. Inside the castle is a small gallery of hemp art. Once through the castle, items start appearing as you realize there must be over 30 portazones lined along the beach like a boardwalk. Buildings line both sides of the beach and offer plenty to look at as you make your way along. The Hemp Beach community started back in February of 2004 and has grown in members, designers and structures as far as you can see along the beach. The community is well organized and again one of the oldest communities in There. Hemp Beach is home to many and every time I visit there is a fairly large gathering of members chatting and having a good time. It is a lively decorated area and home to several designers of the hemp line of products.

I would be remiss to not address the question on most people’s minds... Is Hemp Beach host to a bunch of stonies and pot heads? It would be a lie to say that no one in this community enjoys “hemp” for uses other than clothing or products. However, many of the members of this community do not smoke and just enjoy the camaraderie of their fellow There friends. I have to admit that I am quite impressed with the organization of this community, the designers and people who reside or visit here. It is a non violent area and G_Mon_420 shared that all profits he makes from his line of products goes right back into the game so that others can enjoy not only the community but the game as well. The beach has so many things to see. Boats, homes, skyscrapers and some really awesome stages. There Inc has put some homes on this beach and most of them now belong to the members of this community. The ocean area of the beach is used for building new portazone buildings and general fun.

G_Mon_420 has been a member of There since March of 2003. Besides being a successful designer, he is the leader of several clubs, including Club 420 which has 290 members. As the founder and leader of this unique community, G_Mon_420 wants everyone to enjoy the beach and reiterates that the beach and clubs are not about condoning the illegal use of marijuana, rather it is about the education of the quality products that are manufactured from hemp. Of course it is also about having a good time and enjoying the game. Every Friday night the Hemp Beach hosts a large bash and is open to anyone who would like to see, visit or become a member of this fun community. Regardless of your stance on this sometimes controversial plant, this community is absolutely a must see to anyone in the game.