Hemp Research Paper

639 Words2 Pages

Industrial hemp is commonly cultivated for its fiber and seed, which are used to create a wide variety of products, including food, rope, cloth, paper, fuel, building materials, and hygiene products, such as soaps and lotions. Unlike marijuana, which is cultivated for medicinal, and recreational use, hemp is not psychoactive. Hemp differs from marijuana ingrowth structure and farming practice. While marijuana is cultivated primarily for its flowers, hemp is cultivated for its fibers and seeds, which are used for a wide variety of non-drug applications. Because of the way it grows, it produces much lower cannabinoid content than cannabis grown for euphoric or medicinal purposes. What we refer to as “hemp” or “industrial hemp” is a type of …show more content…

Hemp fabrics can be created with 100% pure hemp fiber, or blended with other fibers such as cotton or silk. Pure hemp fabrics have a texture similar to linen. Much of the linen made in China is derived from hemp fiber. Hemp seed hurds is used to create building materials such as “hempcrete.” An alternative to traditional concrete, hempcrete is lighter, easier to work with, and acts as a natural insulator and moisture regulator. Hemp is extremely nutritious, as they are rich in essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, protein, and fiber. Researchers at the University of Connecticut created hemp oil with an impressive 97% conversion frequency to viable biofuel. Industrial hemp is widely considered the ultimate eco-friendly crop. Unlike most other food and fiber crops, hemp cultivation requires little to no chemicals, pesticides, or herbicides. In addition, to be very hardy and easily grown in a wide range of climates, hemp actually conditions soil where it is planted, acting as a natural weed control crop, and “sopping” up existing impurities in soil and groundwater. Additionally, the plant’s extensive root systems secure unstable areas by anchoring deeply to prevent soil runoff and preserve topsoil layers. Hemp is completely sustainable when grown in rotation with other crops such as corn. Hemp crops can reduce timber impact for paper and other tree products. Hemp produces more fiber per acre than any other source, producing about 250% more fiber than cotton and 600% more fiber than flax grown under the same conditions. Its recyclability is far superior to the tree products that are commonly used in the manufacture of paper. Currently, Hemp is Illegal Due to its Relation to the Cannabis Species. The United States is one of the few industrial countries not currently producing

Open Document