What is Industrial Hemp?

 

photo courtesy of Forbes

Hemp has been around for a very, very long time. It's primary purpose was for food and fiber production. However, now when the word "hemp" is brought up, the first thing that comes to mind for many people is marijuana. This is unfortunate because there is actually a significant difference between what is called "industrial hemp" and "marijuana." 

Simply put, marijuana is related to industrial hemp, but has been genetically selected for high THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) levels, which is a chemical that creates the high. 

Industrial hemp, on the other hand, has very little to no THC. The highest THC levels that Industrial hemp can have is 0.3%, which is practically nothing, which makes industrial hemp impossible to get high off of. 

Until shortly after World War II, industrial hemp was a significant crop that farmers in America would grow. It was used to make rope, twine, clothes, burlap bags, ship sails, and many more fiber products. While hemp production was on a bit of a decline during the interim between WWI and WWII, American hemp production skyrocketed during WWII for the war effort. The government campaigns for hemp production came up with the slogan "hemp for victory" to incentivize farmers to produce more hemp to make tents, ropes, bags, shoe laces, uniforms, ect... for the military. As a matter of fact, the USDA created a promotional video in the 40's, which you can watch here. Unfortunately, after WWII, hemp (and its brother marijuana) were put on the list of controlled substances, which put an end to the production of American industrial hemp. 

However, as of the 2018 Farm Bill, industrial hemp became federally legal once again in the United States. It has taken a few years for all states to pass their own industrial hemp legislation, but as of April 16th, industrial hemp is legal in all states, with Idaho the last state to legalize hemp. But, even though hemp is now legal, in order to grow hemp, the grower has to go through an extensive screening and certification process in order to even grow hemp. 

Another use for hemp besides it's fiber value, is it's oil value. The most familiar hemp oil product today is CBD oil, which is valued for its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing qualities (especially if used in a cream). Hemp seed has also been shown to have positive effects when fed to animals because of its high protein and fat content. A European study on hemp seed in poultry diets found that the overall weight of eggs increased significantly, and had a higher Omega-3 content versus eggs produced from chickens not fed rations with hemp seed. 

Overall, hemp is a very versatile crop with many benefits. It truly is a shame that it has taken so long for hemp to be legal in the U.S again, especially since it is a great economic booster, and not just for agriculture, but for other industries as well.