Did you know the use of hemp dates back over 10,000 years? Hemp fiber was used in villages to strengthen pottery. Hemp oil has also been praised since ancient time for its medicinal benefits.
Fun-Fact: Columbus used hemp for the sails in his ships when he made his journey to America.
Hemp, a variety of the Cannabis Sativa plant, is cultivated predominantly for its vast industrial uses. This is because hemp fiber is incredibly strong. Hemp is practically void of THC, rendering it of little interest to recreational cannabis users. However, hemp has does have high CBD contents and, thereby, a great deal of medical value.
We’ve identified the 6 industries that stand to be revolutionized by a worldwide cultivation of hemp. Be sure to see our infographic at the end of this post and share the incredible uses of hemp with your friends. With more awareness comes greater understanding and, hopefully, an accelerated adoption of this world changing plant.
Paper
The first uses of hemp paper date back to over 2,000 years ago, so it is by no means a new discovery. Farming hemp for paper is much better for wildlife and trees. Hemp is easier and quicker to farm, and it also requires less bleaching which is better for the environment. It is even CHEAPER to produce hemp paper than wood paper. However, two of the reasons that it hasn’t caught on is due to the processes by which paper is made and because it is easier to get the pulp from trees. Companies would have to design and purchase new machines to process the hemp into paper. These companies have been making paper the same way for hundreds of years, and to change that is both costly and time-consuming. As new companies emerge and time goes on, expect to see hemp paper used more often.
There is also the possibility that large lumber corporations lobbied to make hemp illegal in order to protect their investments. Jack Herer wrote in his book The Emperor Wears No Clothes: “When the new mechanical hemp fiber stripping machines to conserve hemp’s high-cellulose pulp finally became state of the art, available and affordable,” William Randolph Hearst, with enormous holdings in timber acreage and investments in paper manufacturing, “stood to lose billions of dollars and perhaps go bankrupt.”
Clothing
Hemp is an extremely durable material which makes it perfect for clothing. Think of that awesome shirt you have that you don’t wear anymore because of a hole…well, if it were made of hemp, you might still be wearing it. Hemp requires less toxic chemicals than cotton and it is resistant to UV light so it won’t fade.
Construction
From concrete to insulation to flooring, hemp can do it all. Hempcrete is a stronger, lighter, and more durable version of concrete. It is naturally less porous which makes it a better insulator. Hempcrete is also less likely to crack or break. Hempboard flooring is water and mold resistant, so it is great for the kitchen and patio. You can literally build an entire house out of hemp! Not only is hemp better for construction, it’s cheaper.
Food & Drink
Hemp seeds are a nutritious and tasty treat! Take it from us, go out and get some if you haven’t tried it yet. It is used worldwide as a dietary supplement. Hemp oil is also great for cooking and as a skin care product. Hemp seeds can even be made into flour. All variations are high in essential fatty and amino acids which are good for the body. Bodybuilders are also turning to Hemp for meal replacement and protein shakes.
Fuel
As we continue to search for a sustainable and long lasting solution to petroleum, biofuel should be considered an option. Biofuel is fuel derived from living matter; corn being the most popular choice. As it turns out, Hemp produces more ethanol than corn per acre making it a perfect match. Don’t look for Hemp fuel to be common any time soon however, as there is the cost/benefit of using land for fuel versus using it for food.
Medicine
Boasting between 1 and 5% CBD, the cultivation of hemp for medicinal applications. The medical uses of CBD are almost endless; it can be used as an antiemetic, anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumoral, anti-cancer, and anti-depressant. Since CBD doesn’t get you “high”, it’s a functional alternative to other medications and is safe for children. Large brands like Kiva are beginning to incorporate CBD into their products. With so many applications, hemp’s CBD content stands to uproot many avenues of the medical establishment.
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