There are many interesting facts about hemp that most people are unaware of and didn’t know. One of the most interesting facts is that some people don’t know it’s a plant like its cousin, cannabis. They tend to hear the word “hemp” and think it’s a fibre or piece of rope? Actually, they are right but didn’t realize it is made from a plant.
Hemp or the cannabis L-Sativa plant is the same as a cannabis plant; however, unlike the cannabis plant, hemp strains contain small trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), typically less than 0.3%. Both cannabis and hemp also contain other compounds called cannabinoids like cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidivarin (CBDV), CBD, and others.
To discover some interesting facts about hemp that you didn’t know about and why so many people like the CBD products made from it, continue reading.
What is Hemp?
The official name for it is industrialized hemp. The most significant difference between hemp and cannabis plants is the cultivation, use, and levels of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). That is the psychoactive chemical that gets users “high” and cannabis strains are notorious for.
For a hemp plant to be legally classified on a dry-weight basis, it must contain no more than three percent THC. Whereas most cannabis plants contain approximately 5-30% THC; therefore, it is essential to know what you’re buying before you try CBD, either extracted from hemp or cannabis.
Cannabis species have more than 480 natural compounds out of 100 that are specific to a group called cannabinoids. Since hemp plants contain small trace amounts of THC, they are often more rich in other cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) that are non-addictive and non-intoxicating.
Facts About the Hemp Plant
In 2018, the Farm Bill distinguished the difference between cannabis and hemp by restricting hemp to be no more than that of 0.3% THC. Many hemp products are made with seeds that contain protein, fats, and other chemicals.
On the other hand, CBD products are made by being extracted from the leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, where the medicinal properties are such as CBD and other cannabinoids. If you’re looking for high-quality CBD products, Observer recently came out with their top product recommendations.
Without further ado, here are five facts about the hemp plant:
- Hemp Was Used as a Government Aid
Many laws in the US regarding hemp have fluctuated throughout history. Hemp was federally legal to grow between 1970 and 2018 but did you know there was a time when the US government required hemp farmers to grow the plant? It was used for WWII as sails, fabric, canvas, paper, and military-grade rope.
- Hemp Purifies the Earth
Hemp can be used to help purify the earth by growing on top of radioactive materials such as radioactive heavy metals and nuclear compounds. Hemp plants have a long root system that extends deep into the ground, absorbing harmful chemicals and pulling toxins out. This provides a better alternative than an expensive detoxifying process.
- Hemp Could Help Prevent Hunger
By nature, hemp seeds contain high levels of vitamins A, B, D, and E, fatty acids, high levels of calories, and nutritious minerals. Hemps seeds can also be used as a meat alternative because they meet the daily protein requirements. This can help in regions where hunger is a factor due to the rapid growth rates of the hemp plant.
- Hemp May Reduce Deforestation
A big problem facing many countries is deforestation. Hemp could help replace what man has harvested for building materials such as lumber and plywood. It can also help save trees used to manufacture paper and pulp products. According to Hemp Technologies Global, hemp grows faster than trees at one acre of hemp vs. 4.1 for trees.
- Hemp Looks Different Than Cannabis
While both hemp and cannabis look the same, there are some differences. Cannabis plants tend to grow shorter and wider than hemp plants. Hemp plants grow tall and thin and thrive in hot and humid conditions. There are also more flowers on the cannabis plant than the hemp plant. The leaves on cannabis plants are also wider.
The hemp plant has become a versatile product not only for its therapeutic compound cannabidiol but also for many household and commercial products that people use every day.
Other Facts About Hemp That You Didn’t Know
It is legal to grow hemp in all 50 states and are harvested between 90-120 days. Hemp was used to make fiberboards for construction materials and is both stronger and lighter than wood. Did you know hemp paper was used to write the US Constitution? Yes, it is true.
Industrial hemp strains can be isolated to grow plants that contain little to no THC, making hemp a valuable resource for manufacturing high-quality CBD. Before 1937 in the United States of America, hemp was considered a legal tender and was used to pay taxes.
And lastly, hemp contains a wide range of healthy compounds that can be used as a dietary supplement and has many practical uses for common everyday items that most people don’t even know are made from hemp. One of the most important discoveries was its use for extracting the valuable compound CBD that is used in many products.
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