HEMP & ITS EVERLASTING IMPACT

July is the national month for celebrating Hemp, a varietal of the Cannabis sativa plant that produces non-psychoactive effects when consumed and fibrous material which are then used in a plethora of products both commercially and industrially.

With the ever expanding Cannabis industry, many are familiar with this incredibly versatile plant but don’t fully understand the impact hemp has on changing the world or the differences between itself and its psychoactive cousin.

This month is used to educate, spread awareness, and show support for the remarkable Hemp plant in this post-prohibition era. The best way you can celebrate Hemp (not only for July but all year long) is by educating yourself/others about the history of Hemp, the implications of the Farm Bill, the importance of hemp for industry and our environment,  and of course by incorporating Hemp materials whenever possible!

Hemp is one of the fastest growing plants on Earth! Not only that, but it is extremely sustainable and biodegradable, providing a cleaner, more green way for all of us to enjoy our favorite luxuries.

 

FARM BILL

 

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 or “Farm Bill”  made hemp production legal in the United States for the first time since 1970.  March 22, 2021 also marked a huge shift in the growing and production guidelines for hemp farmers due to the enactment of the final rule of this game-changing piece of legislature. This ruling allows individual States and Indian Tribes to submit their plans for licensing and regulating hemp to the USDA. Once approved, famers are now able to broadly cultivate their hemp crops while the restrictions on the sale, transport, and possession of hemp-derived products are lifted, so long as the production of these items is in accordance with state laws. These laws include proper licensing, and a limit of 0.3 percent THC or less in these cannabis plants.

This level of accessibility has the potential to change the industrial world! Hemp can provide cleaner, more sustainable commercially made products including clothing, shoes, paper, rope, textiles, food, bioplastics, hempcrete, biofuel, and so much more, allowing us to be lavish consumers, while staying environmentally friendly.

SUSTAINABILITY

 

So all this talk about how incredibly sustainable industrial hemp is, but why? First , due to the hemp plant’s dense structure, hemp is seen to choke out harsh predatory plants and naturally reduces pests, making harmful herbicides and pesticides less necessary for proper yields. This allows for a cleaner, more organic product for consumption, while being a lot gentler on the Earth.

Speaking of out home planet, this low-impact crop requires very little water for growth and production compared to other botanicals, using less than four times the amount of water needed for growth and processing to that of traditional cotton fibers. Additionally due to its’ dense manner, hemp requires less land to grow, but can still produce up to double the fiber yield of cotton per 2.5 acres. The Hemp plant also feeds 60-70% of the nutrients it takes from the soil right back into the ground for future plant growth and soil health.

 

HOW/WHY YOU SHOULD START INCORPORATING HEMP INTO YOUR DAILY LIFE

 

1. Your style! You can help change the world by switching over to hemp textiles and materials for products like clothing, shoes, bags, etc. They are extremely sustainable, biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and super cute!
2. Skincare! Hemp-enriched lines of skincare are becoming all the craze. Rightfully so as they can provide your skin with maximum hydration, as well as Omega 3 & Omega 6 fatty acids and tons of vitamins for your skin to absorb.
3. Your diet! Hemp protein powder is one of the most natural sources of plant protein on the market. Rich in essential amino acids, dairy and lactose free, Hemp protein makes for a yummy, vegan-friendly, healthy addition to your diet.
4. Your diet, again! Whole hemp seeds are also a wonderful addition to any diet. Incredibly versatile and tasty, adding hemp seeds to a smoothie or baked desert (or any form you would like to enjoy them in) can work as a natural appetite suppressant, curbing unhealthy food cravings and keeping you full longer. Hemp seeds also add possible benefits like regulating metabolism, promoting skin and hair growth, preserving bone health, and increasing brain function.

In addition to all the amazing benefits Hemp has on for its consumer, using industrial hemp as a replacement for other plant materials we can help provide a more environmentally cautious and greener way of life, ultimately helping save our Earth. The Farm Bill is taking huge steps in the right direction. All we can do is convert as much makes sense to hemp and it’s derivatives along with supporting, educating, pushing for greater reform.

As we wrap up National Hemp month, it is truly mind-blowing to realize all of the insane progress we have made in the Cannabis industry, the biggest advancement since Colonial times! To learn more about CBD rich Hemp, read our blog post here highlighting the basics of CBD and other major cannabinoids.