Hemp has had its ups and downs throughout the years but remains an essential material used for the production of a range of products. Although its legality remains a controversial topic around the world, the plant can significantly limit the use of other material such as wood or cotton, which is more difficult to reproduce and related to environmental concerns.
We have prepared an extensive list of 50 top facts about hemp, which is a great way to get to know the plant better and discover its wide range of capabilities and uses.
Enjoy!
Hemp belongs to the Cannabis Sativa family, just like Marijuana. Although marijuana and hemp are not identical in chemical makeup and properties, they both originate from the same plant family and are classified as cannabis.
Hemp contains only 1% THC. THC is the psychoactive compound found in cannabis, which is responsible for the “high” effect of consuming the herb or the mind-altering experiences associated with the plant. In hemp, THC levels are as low as 1%, making the plant preferable and more legal in comparison to marijuana.
Hemp consumption will not get you high.
The first hemp domestication evidence stems back to 10,000 years ago. This is when the plant was turned into usable fiber.
Dried hemp includes 57% cellulose. This is the same substance found in green vegetables like cucumber.
The uses of hemp are infinite. The plant’s parts are used for the creation of different products, which are all useful and important in our everyday lives. For instance, hemp can be used for animal bedding, litter, and mulch. It can also be used to create paint, creams, and plastic.
Hemp oil can be used in the kitchen. For the culinary lovers out there it would be interesting to find out that hemp oil can be used for cooking.
You can eat, grind, or drink hemp. There is a consumption method available for everyone when it comes to hemp. You can eat it raw or grind it on top of your favorite meal. If you are more fond of beverages, you can try hemp milk or hemp juice.
Hemp is nutritious. Hemp provides a diverse range of valuable nutritious benefits to the body. Hemp seeds consist of 5% carbs, 49% fat, and 31% protein.
In terms of amino acids, hemp compares to meat, milk, eggs, and soy. That’s right! If you are not very fond of eating milk or meat you can use hemp as a substitute to gain the necessary amino acids for your body.
Hemp also contains vitamin B, manganese, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc, iron, and dietary fiber. You can already see how beneficial for the body this plant can be if consumed accordingly.
Hemp contains high doses of CBD. CBD or cannabidiol is a cannabinoid with a range of health benefits for the human body.
CBD in hemp is related to the treatment of cancer. There is a diverse set of research available on the topic.
CBD communicates with the endocannabinoid system. CBD found in hemp can trigger certain responses in the body through communication with the receptors found in our endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system’s receptors are essential! They are responsible for certain functions such as motor control, mood, appetite, hormone release, and more.
Hemp oil is beneficial for the hormonal balance in the body.
Hemp oil can help with dry skin or other skin problems.
Its nutritious characteristics make it a perfect supplement for vegans and vegetarians. Hemp includes a lot of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which are usually in limited amounts in vegetarians as they are mostly found in seafood.
Hemp is successful in decreasing cholesterol. You can help your metabolism work faster and therefore lower your cholesterol levels due to the balanced ratio of polyunsaturated fats.
Hemp is widely used in fashion. This may come as a surprise but hemp is also used for clothes and ropes and compares to linen in terms of texture. You can even find hemp jewelry on the market today.
It is also used in construction. Hemp even successfully enters the construction arena and can be used as insulation in houses. Hempcrete or the product created with lime to produce the concrete-like material can be a substitute for wood and be a solid foundation for breathable and long-lasting houses.
The plant is even used in car manufacturing! A number of car manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, Ford, GM, Honda, Mitsubishi, Porsche, Mercedes, Volkswagen, and more use hemp in their cars for composite panels.
There is 20kg of hemp in every Mercedes G-class produced. Think about this next time you get into a G-class for an even better experience.
Hemp was used as the raw material for making paper. Hemp was, therefore, an essential material for the making of banknotes, credit bills, postal stamps, and bonds.
Hemp grows much faster than trees. Hemp takes 4 months to grow while most trees take between 20-50 years.
Hemp is a much better material for papermaking when compared to wood.
Hemp can be used as a purifier. The plant is actively used to purify wastewater and soil.
It is also successful in reducing the harmful effects of radioactivity. Hemp was used after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster to reduce the disastrous effects of radioactivity.
Hemp can kill other unwanted or harmful weed. The plant has the ability to help in crop rotation in killing the useless weed.
Hemp can be used to produce fuel. The plant is even popular in the field of biofuel.
Rudolf Diesel planned to use hemp oil and other vegetable oils to support the Diesel engine. It turns out that most products originating from hemp are non-toxic, renewable, and decomposed by bacteria or other organisms.
Before 1937, hemp was the main ingredient for producing paint. As much as 58,000 tons of the material was used for paint production in America during the time period.
China and ancient Egypt actively farmed hemp 10,000 years ago.
Eminent historic figures also grew hemp. Did you know that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson cultivated and grew the plant?
Thomas Jefferson trafficked hemp seeds from China to America through France. Although the journey was long, the end goal was worth it!
There was a hemp war. The plant was so important and lucrative back in the days that disputes over it resulted in a hemp war. During the time, Napoleon wanted to stop Moscow from exporting the plant to England.
Benjamin Franklin was especially interested in hemp. As the first person to possess a paper mill in America, Benjamin Franklin wanted to obtain more hemp as he used it for the production of paper.
Van Gogh’s Gainsborough was made on hemp canvas. In fact, 80% textiles and fabrics used during the 1820s were made from hemp.
The first Bibles, maps, and flags were made from hemp! This fact certainly brings a whole new level of appreciation for the plant.
Hemp plastic was used for Henry Ford’s Model T. The reason for using the material is that it is ten times safer to use than steel in terms of strength.
Henry Ford called his Model T “the car grown from the soil”. The intention was to make is completely organic and use hemp fuel for the car.
In 1937, hemp was announced as “The Most Profitable And Desirable Crop That Can Be Grown”. So why is it still illegal in different parts of the world?
Hemp is widely confused with marijuana and its psychoactive effects. Due to its classification as a Cannabis Sativa plant, there is a lot of confusion preventing more than 30,000 useful products being created from the plant.
The plant was legalized for cultivation in 1937 because of WWII. Because of material shortages, a change in legislation allowed the cultivation of hemp during the time.
Going back in time, rejecting to grow hemp in the 17th and 18th centuries was illegal. You could even go to jail if you refused to grow hemp.
From 1631 to the 1800s you could even pay your taxes with hemp in America. Imagine this happening today, cool right?
In 1970, the government announced hemp as a threatening drug and placed it under Schedule 1 of The Controlled Substances Act of 1970. This prohibited all cultivation of hemp in the country.
The punishment for growing an acre of hemp in the US after The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 was death.
Consuming hemp may not be ideal for everyone. Certain health conditions such as prostate cancer may require special attention to hemp consumption as the plant stimulates the growth of new cells.
There are certain side effects associated with hemp consumption. Consumers have provided feedback related to nausea, diarrhea, or cramps as a result of consuming higher doses of hemp.
