n recent years, there has been a lot of talk about CBD – and therefore a lot of talk about hemp.
But what is hemp?
And why is it suddenly becoming such a popular topic?
By the end of this post, you’ll have a much better understanding of this versatile plant!
Are Hemp and Marijuana the Same?
Hemp is a plant that is part of the cannabis family, but it contains very low levels of THC (the psychoactive compound that gets you “high”).
Basically, hemp and marijuana are cousins.
Just because one got convicted doesn’t mean the other is guilty.
Hemp might be part of the same cannabis family as marijuana, but hemp doesn’t cause those same hazy ‘highs’.
That’s why CBD from hemp is different from cannabis.
This is because hemp contains very low levels of THC, the psychoactive compound responsible for making people feel intoxicated, while the marijuana plant has higher levels of THC.
But hemp and marijuana still have a lot in common beyond their differences in THC levels.
They both come from the same plant classification, they look similar and they have some uses that overlap – hemp is often used to make hemp-based products like clothing and rope.
Additionally, industrial hemp is becoming an important resource in the production of biofuels and bioplastics.
So remember – hemp is an important and valuable member of the cannabis family, but it doesn’t contain enough THC to create those mind-altering effects that marijuana does.
Hemp’s THC concentration is only 0.3% or less, which means ingesting it does not deliver a ‘high’ that people commonly attribute to marijuana use.
Therefore, hemp can be used for industrial purposes without any need for concern about psychotropic effects.
It also has many potential medical applications, given its other biologically-rich compounds like CBD and terpenes.
Terpenes are a class of aromatic compounds found naturally in plants, including hemp.
They give off scents and flavors that play an important role in the plant’s ecology, helping to ward off predators and attract pollinators.
Hemp has been around longer than you have. What is hemp used for?
Hemp- one of the fastest-growing plants in the world- has been used for centuries in a variety of different ways, including as a food source, as rope or fabric, and even as a building material.
Hemp has long been part of human history – records show it’s been grown and used by humans for thousands of years, in everything from food and fabric to building materials.
Interestingly enough, hemp has even been found in Viking ships dating back to 800 AD!
Hemp is an incredibly versatile plant, made up of some amazing properties – here’s a list of some of them:
- Durability
- Strength
- Hypoallergenic
- Non-irritating
- Highly absorbent
- Moisture wicking
- Flexible
- Resistant to rot and mildew
Now imagine what we could do with its capacity to make paper, canvas, and countless other products that don’t require intense water or energy resources.
Nowadays, hemp is still popular for textiles such as clothing and rope due to its durability and strength compared to traditional fabrics and twines such as cotton or wool.
Plus it’s hypoallergenic, non-irritating, highly absorbent and can wick away moisture from the body – no wonder it’s currently the trendiest ‘fabric on the market today!
What does this mean for us?
Just think about all the potential uses for this amazing plant that not only delivers strong flexible results but also uses fewer natural resources than other materials used in modern times.
Hemp may just be a revolution waiting to happen!
Is hemp stronger than CBD?
Today, hemp is being grown more and more for its CBD content, which is said to have various health benefits.
This is honestly kind of a trick question, since CBD actually comes from hemp.
They each have their unique uses and benefits.
Hemp, as stated before, is an ancient crop with a long history of being used for many different purposes, from rope and clothing to fueling virtually all aspects of life.
In modern times, hemp is being grown more and more because of its Cannabidiol (CBD) content, which is said to have various health benefits.
Some report those health benefits to include:
- pain relief
- reducing inflammation
- improving mood and sleep quality
- displaying antioxidant properties
- neuroprotective effects
- regulation of blood sugar
- increased appetite control.
Whether it’s used topically like in creams, balms or tinctures or consumed in the form of oil or edibles, CBD hemp products are becoming increasingly popular as people look for new ways to incorporate holistic remedies into their daily lives.
As hemp continues to grow in popularity and with plenty of hemp-based applications now available on the market, it’s important to remember that hemp and marijuana come from the same plant but have different active ingredients.
Hemp is much safer than marijuana.
What are the benefits of hemp?
Hemp has a large variety of uses and benefits.
Hemp-sourced products range from hemp textiles and apparel to protein powder and skin care.
Hemp seeds have been known to be a superfood, containing an array of essential nutrients and fatty acids that support health and wellness.
Its fibers are also particularly strong, making it ideal for creating textiles like clothing and bags.
Additionally, hemp is known to have incredible regenerative properties, making it great for soil health – that’s why you can find hemp used as a rotation crop in many sustainable farms!
All these benefits make hemp an unbeatable source of nutrition and enrichment for yourself and the environment.
Why is hemp illegal in the U.S.?
This has been a common question as well among CBD and hemp skeptics.
In short, it’s not illegal anymore.
In the United States, hemp was made illegal in 1937 following the Marijuana Tax Act which raised taxes on cannabis products.
This law was eventually overturned in 2018 with the passing of the Farm Bill, which federally legalized hemp and allowed states to create their own regulations on its cultivation and sale.
Since then, hemp has seen a resurgence in popularity as people seek out new ways to incorporate holistic remedies into their daily lives.
In the US alone, hemp acreage has grown exponentially since the passage of the Farm Bill.
By 2020 there were over 500 licensed hemp growers cultivating more than 26000 acres across 33 states!
Hemp is now being sold legally throughout America – from grocery stores to online marketplaces like Amazon – allowing everyone access to these powerful plant-based remedies.
As more research is conducted into how this incredible crop can benefit our health and our planet, we are sure to see even more exciting developments in the years ahead!
So there you have it!
Now you know all about hemp, from its history to its many uses.
You also know how it differs from marijuana, and what some of the potential benefits of hemp are.
We hope this article has been helpful in clearing up any confusion that you may have had about hemp.
Thanks for reading!
