Have you ever heard of industrial hemp? You might be surprised to discover that it’s not just one type of cannabis but a variant of the plant used for various purposes. Industrial hemp has been grown for centuries, and there are many reasons why governments should legalize it globally. Keep reading to find more information on this fantastic plant.
What Is Industrial Hemp?
Industrial hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant species explicitly grown for industrial uses. You can use it to make various products, including paper, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, insulation, and biofuel. You can also use the seeds of the plant in bird feed and the stalks to make rope and other products.
Hemp is grown in many countries, including the United States. In the United States, the Department of Agriculture regulates hemp. The 2014 Farm Bill permitted states to grow hemp for research purposes.
However, the 2018 Farm Bill officially removed hemp and its seeds from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s list of controlled substances. It also permits the production of industrial hemp products.
You may be wondering, isn’t hemp the same thing as marijuana? Even though they are family, hemp and marijuana are still different. Hemp has a low concentration of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. This low THC concentration means hemp wouldn’t work great as a recreational drug.
What Determines Hemp In The United States?
So, now you know hemp has a low THC concentration, but just how low is it? The United States Congress defined “industrial hemp” as Cannabis sativa L. with a THC concentration of no more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis in the Agricultural Act of 2014. This classification was signed into law by President Barack Obama.
The new classification of industrial hemp came about because many people saw the potential for this plant. There are over 25,000 known uses for industrial hemp, making it one of the most versatile plants in the world. What are some of these uses? Let’s discuss that next.
The Most Popular Uses For Industrial Hemp
Hemp is an excellent plant with a ridiculous amount of uses. Some of the most popular uses of industrial hemp are:
- Textiles: You can use hemp to make various textile products, including clothing, bags, and rope.
- Food: They use hemp plant seeds in bird feed and the oil from the seeds in food. Some chefs have even started experimenting with buds and leaves in their dishes.
- Construction: Companies can use hemp to make biodegradable plastics, insulation, and biofuel. Wait, does that mean you can build an entire house out of this magnificent building material? Yes, and it wouldn’t be the first hemp home.
- Medicine: Doctors can use hemp to make various medical products, including shampoo, soap, and lotions.
- Paper: You can use hemp to make paper products, including paper towels and toilet paper.
Now that we know what hemp is and some of its popular uses, let’s look at its benefits.
The Benefits Of Hemp
There are many benefits to using industrial hemp. Some of the most notable benefits are:
- Environmentally friendly: Hemp is a renewable resource that can produce various products. It only takes 3-4 months to reach maturity, compared to 20-80 years for most other trees.
- Versatile: As you saw above, there are over 25,000 known uses for industrial hemp, and as researchers continue to experiment, they are bound to find more.
- High in nutrients: The hemp plant seeds are a good source of protein, essential fatty acids, and minerals.
- Medicinal properties: Due to its high CBD concentration, hemp has various medicinal properties, including the ability to relieve pain, anxiety, and nausea.
So, now that you know more about industrial hemp, its uses, and its benefits, do you think it has a future in our cruel economy? Let’s find out.
What Is The Future Of Industrial Hemp?
The future of industrial hemp is promising. The Agricultural Act of 2014 and 2018 Farm Bill has opened the door for states to begin growing and producing the magnificent plant, and the market for industrial hemp products is growing.
The hemp market reached a whopping value of $4.6 billion in 2019. Moreover, some estimates suspect it will continue to grow with a compound annual growth rate of 34% until 2025, bringing it up to a value of $26.6 billion.
As more states begin to grow and research hemp, the potential uses for the plant will continue to grow.
Join The Industrial Hemp Revolution
Industrial hemp is a hot topic in the United States and with good reason. The plant has various uses and benefits that could revolutionize many industries. However, it’s essential to understand what hemp is and how the US identifies it before we can start taking advantage of all this plant has to offer.
If you want to learn more about hemp, take one of our online courses—there’s something for everyone. Alternatively, you can continue to read more interesting cannabis-related articles on our blog.
