What is Hemp?

Hemp is considered by many to be a 'wonder crop'. It's used in a variety of products such food, textiles, construction, biofuel, paper and many more. Hemp is any cannabis plant that contains 0.3 percent or less THC, which is the molecule found in marijuana that gets you high. These low amounts of THC are non-impactful and won’t make you intoxicated.

History Of Hemp

People have used hemp for thousands of years. Today, hemp is well-known for its CBD. But hemp was being used by people long before they started extracting CBD from it. The earliest known fabric was woven from hemp between 8,000 and 7,000 BCE. Around 4,000 BCE, hemp was used to make pottery in China. Fast forward a few thousand years to 140 BCE, and the first known man made paper was made with hemp. In the U.S., hemp was widely popular amongst the early settlers. Even their Delcaration of Independence was drafted on hemp paper in 1776. Throughout much of the 20th century, hemp became wrongfully stigmatised and with that its usage decreased. It wasn’t until the U.S. Farm Bill of 2014 that pilot programs for hemp farming were allowed again. This spurred a new global awakening for hemp which has seen it been legalised in over 60 countries. Today, hemp has regained its reputation as a ‘wonder crop,’ and a new and exciting chapter is being written in this versatile plant’s history.

How Does Hemp Differ From Marijuana?

Both hemp and marijuana belong to a group of plants called Cannabis sativa. We all know that marijuana can get you high, but does hemp do the same thing? The answer is no– hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC, which is the molecule in marijuana that gives the psychoactive effect. These low amounts of THC are non-impactful and won’t make you feel high. Although hemp doesn’t get you high, hemp-derived CBD products can lead to noticeable mental and physical changes. Most people say they feel more focused or calm, or that they just feel an overall heightened sense of wellbeing when they use CBD products.

Environmental Benefits Of Hemp

Another reason to love hemp is because of the positive impact it has on the environment. Below are a few ways how it does that:

• From the stalk to the seeds, the flowers and the leaves, every single part of a hemp plant can be used.
• Hemp plants breathe in four times more carbon dioxide than trees – think of them like little vacuum cleaners for the air.
• Hemp is such a naturally strong plant that it doesn’t need any pesticides or herbicides, which means cleaner air, land and water.
• Through its deep, strong roots, hemp replenishes the soil with far more nutrients than it uses up.