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Clearing the smoke
Let’s start with the basics. What is hemp exactly, and what is its relation to its infamous cousin, weed?
There are a number of myths about hemp. We’re going to debunk some of them.
Both hemp and marajuana are varieties of the Cannabis plant, a member of the Cannabaceae family: strains called Cannabis sativa. What we call hemp is a variety of Cannabis that contains 0.3% or less tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] content.
This is important. It is the THC that gets you ‘high’. Marijuana is the variety of Cannabis that contains more than 0.3% THC (sometimes as much as 30% THC) – and why it can produce psychotropic, euphoric effects on the user.
These stated differences are widely known, and used to differentiate between the two plants. But confusion remains. Not least because the plants look extremely similar – numerous arrests and seizes have happened because law enforcers have mistaken hemp for weed.
Both hemp and marijuana produce high amounts of CBD, the non-intoxicating cannabis compound; THC is produced at very different levels.
The origins of the myths
Before the 1930, there was no stigma associated with marajuana and hemp. The plant was used for many purposes: as paper, clothing, a recreational drug. Following what some have called a ‘smear campaign’ and new tougher laws on cannabis – such as the 1937 Marajuana Tax in the US – all cannabis plants became illegal.
In some countries, hemp has only recently been made legal. This is partly why the industry is still emerging and there still exist many challenges and barriers to hemp farmers across the world.
Luckily, things are beginning to change. Although in the UK, for example, hemp is still classified under the ‘controlled substance’ drugs act.
Hemp and weed growing conditions
How hemp and marijuana are grown is different, too. While marijuana varieties are selectively bred in strictly controlled environments designed to optimise the breed’s characteristics and produce female plants that yield budding flowers – and often to increase the THC content – hemp is grown to maximise its size and yield.
Unlike weed, hemp is generally grown outdoors and does not require the level of control and attention needed to grow marajuana (although it still requires more specific growing climates than other crops).
There are generally two different end-uses for hemp: CBD and industrial.
The CBD obsession
CBD [Cannabidol] has shot to worldwide fame in the past decade – partly as a result of hemp being legalised in many countries. It has brought hemp to the forefront of discussion and debate. There are many campaigns around licencing and legalisation; celebrations of CBD oil’s medical impacts and healing properties.
What is CBD? CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in Cannabis plants. In other words, unlike THC, it can’t get you ‘high’. CBD is touted mainly for its medicinal uses and claimed health benefits. It’s used to combat both physical and mental issues, from cancer to depression. It is so popular that it has already been added to cheeseburgers, toothpaste and lollipops.
Hemp plants contain more CBD and less THC. Marijuana plants contain more THC and less CBD.
Introducing industrial hemp
Industrial hemp is a bit of an unsung hero in the hemp world – the limelight is usually taken by the use of CBD. There is no real difference between hemp and ‘industrial hemp’ – but they describe the different end-uses for hemp.
Hemp can be grown to create a huge array of things – there are over 25,000 different products and uses of hemp! The stalks, leaves, oil and seeds provide materials used in a wide variety of products. Paper, building materials, clothing, textiles, biofuels, animal feed, and plastic are just some of the products that can be made from industrial hemp. And many of these are far more sustainable, environmentally-friendly alternatives to those most commonly used.
Find out more about some of the incredible hemp-based products in this blog.