Though hemp may sound like a relatively new concept, it has been cultivated and used as an agricultural crop for centuries. From its health benefits to its application in clothing and paper, hemp is one of the most versatile plants on Earth. As part of our mission at Ministry of Hemp, we’re exploring the many wonderful uses and potential applications of this incredible plant — if you’ve ever been curious about hemp yourself, then you’ve come to the right place! Here’s what we’ll cover:
What is hemp?
Put simply, hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant that has very low levels (< 0.3%) of THC – making it completely non-psychoactive. It is rich in CBD and other natural compounds such as terpenes and flavonoids that work together to promote wellness in our bodies. Not only can these compounds be found in hemp-derived products such as tinctures and topicals, but they can also be consumed directly by eating hemp seeds – more on this later. Industrial hemp also contains strong fibres, making it ideal for use in textiles and paper production, among other things!
History of hemp cultivation
The earliest recorded use of hemp dates back over 10,000 years, when it was grown primarily for its fibres to make rope or textiles. In ancient China, people began using hemp for food – including pressing oil from the seeds – and medicine around 4000 BC. In the 16th century, hemp was cultivated in Europe and the Americas due to its popularity with farmers, who could grow large quantities quickly without using much land or resources compared to other crops such as wheat or flaxseed. By 1776, during America’s Revolutionary War, almost all ships were fitted with hemp sails; even George Washington himself encouraged American farmers to grow this “profitable” crop! Unfortunately, following the Prohibition laws passed in 1937, its use declined greatly until recently when it has made a comeback, largely due to advances in technology that give us better access than ever before!
The difference between hemp and marijuana
Although both are varieties of Cannabis Sativa L., they differ drastically in their chemical composition (primarily THC). While marijuana typically contains high levels (>0.3%) of THC, making it a psychoactive substance, industrial hemp contains virtually none, meaning there is no “high” associated with its use! This distinction should always be kept in mind when discussing either, as misidentification could mislead someone unfamiliar with these plants and lead them unnecessarily towards potentially harmful substances instead. Therefore, whether for medicinal purposes or otherwise, knowledge of where each individual product stands chemically should always take precedence over use/consumption!
HEMP USES IN TEXTILES & CLOTHING
In addition to some truly innovative applications such as bioplastics, metal replacement, biofuel production, concrete reinforcement, etc… another great example of use is in the clothing industry, specifically via textiles made from processed industrial cannabis plants called ‘hemp fibre cloth’, which are becoming increasingly popular with fashionistas worldwide! Not only do these garments tend to last longer overall as they are inherently stronger than cotton alternatives, but they also use significantly less water in the manufacturing process, making them a much more sustainable choice both economically and environmentally – something anyone conscious of their carbon footprint can appreciate! Furthermore, due to their breathability properties along with the anti-microbial properties that are naturally built into the plant material itself… not only will the wearer stay cool & comfortable throughout the day, but they won’t have to worry so much about bacteria build-up either; sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? 😉
HEMP FOOD
We’ve already discussed how ancient Chinese civilisation was aware of the value behind dietary inclusion of cannabis-based foods like oil pressed from seeds … however nowadays modern science allows us to explore full nutritional potential behind this amazing plant further than ever before – here’s just a few examples of what’s currently available on the market today: protein powder containing up to 20g per serving; vegan milk alternative packed w/ omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals etc.; flour ideal for baking needs because it’s packed w/ omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals etc.. .; flour ideal for baking needs because gluten free high carbohydrate content; crunchy snacks toasted infused w/ flavours etc… the list goes on really… point is people now don’t need to fear getting any sort of ‘high’ effects ingesting products made from ‘hemp’ material which ultimately opens door whole new world of possibilities consumers are looking forward to trying out! So next time you’re thinking about adding something special to your shopping cart, consider hitting the ‘hemp aisle’ first 😉
BENEFITS OF USING INDUSTRIAL HEMP
Industrial hemp-based materials offer a wide range of benefits when compared to traditional petroleum-based plastics, including: improved strength, durability, cost savings… moreover, unlike pollutant-emitting counterparts produced using fossil fuels… chances of decomposition 100 times faster, thus reducing amount of energy needed, clean environment after disposal – and let’s face it, who doesn’t enjoy seeing greenery flourish around us rather than artificial colours brought upon us by plastic pollution? Moreover, given the fact that the process involved in creating the final product requires minimal machinery & energy input coupled with huge reduction in waste output… eco-minded individuals everywhere would stand to benefit from investing heavily in the industry bringing long term sustainability initiatives closer to reality every single day!