Hemp is a non-intoxicating variety of the Cannabis Sativa plant species that is grown specifically for industrial or medical use. Until 1940, hemp was the worldwide standard that everything else was judged against and along with bamboo, hemp is one of the fastest growing plants in the world.

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Unlike its relative commonly referred to as Cannabis or Marijuana, the hemp plant does not contain substantial amounts of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and instead contains predominantly Cannabidiol (CBD). Hemp is defined as the Cannabis Sativa plant with 0.3% or less THC on a dry-weight basis. At these minuscule percentages, the intoxicating and psychoactive effects of THC are eliminated & hemp cannot “get you high".

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Whereas THC is the cannabinoid associated with a psychotropic high and is intoxicating - CBD is not. According to a report from the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.

 

​Hemp cannot, and does not, produce any drug whatsoever—no matter how you process it. As with Cannabis, industrial and medical Hemp is also illegal and people are imprisoned for growing and using it. It was made illegal  due to propaganda created from companies with vested interest from the new petroleum based synthetic textile companies and the large and powerful newspaper and lumber barons who saw hemp as the biggest threat to their businesses.

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It has significant and proven medicinal properties  with between 25,000 to 50,000  industrial, environmental  and medical uses such as clothing, rope, biodegradable plastic, Styrofoam alternatives, building materials, and paper with research showcasing hemp as an efficient bio-fuel and soil-remediator.  Meanwhile, its seeds contain a balanced concentration of protein, essential fats, vitamins, and enzymes, while sugar, starches, and saturated fats are nearly non-existent—making it one of nature’s most-perfect foods. Paper, cardboard, fabrics, plastics, fuel, building material and lubricants of all kinds, products we use every day, could easily be made from hemp or hemp oil, and at a much lower cost than we currently pay. In fact, in many instances the quality of the products would go up while the costs decrease. Hemp is one of the most versatile and fastest growing plants on the planet. Its long fibers are the strongest natural fiber known, yet it’s also been made into the world’s finest cloth.

 

Hemp-based paper lasts three times longer (225 years) than wood-based paper (75 years) and does not yellow. Hemp-based cardboard boxes are stronger than wood-based cardboard boxes. Even hemp-based building materials (plywood sheeting, and manufactured dimensional hardwood) would produce homes that last longer and hold up to the weather better. The obvious starting point of re-implementing hemp as a viable resource would be the development of hemp-based paper, cardboard and packaging products. We can produce four times the amount paper pulp per acre from hemp than from trees and we don’t have to wait a minimum of five years for it to grow we can harvest in a matter of months.

 

Hemp grows to maturity in a matter of three to four months, and two (sometimes three) crops can be harvested per year off the same parcel of land, year after year. Hemp also does not require the highly toxic non-reusable and non-recyclable chemicals (sulfuric acid, to break down the organic glue called lignin and chlorine bleach used to whiten paper) that are needed to break down wood fibers into pulp, nor does it require chemical pesticides. Tree-free hemp paper by contrast, can be made without sulfuric acid, chlorine bleach or any toxins, because the hurds (found inside the stalk of the plant) can be broken down with much less harmful compounds and in many cases are recyclable.  

On an annual basis, 1 acre of hemp will produce as much fiber as 2 to 3 acres of cotton. Hemp fiber is stronger and softer than cotton, lasts twice as long as cotton, and will not mildew.

 

Cotton grows only in moderate climates and requires more water than hemp; but hemp is frost tolerant, requires only moderate amounts of water, and grows in more climates. Cotton requires large quantities of pesticides and herbicides with 50% of the world's pesticides/herbicides beings used in the production of cotton. Hemp requires no pesticides, no herbicides, and only moderate amounts of fertilizer. Conventional grown Cotton is considered the world’s dirtiest crop due to its heavy dependence on pesticides – these pesticides are toxic to humans, the environment and wildlife.  Hemp fixes the soil with nitrogen, can be grown in companion with food and it cleans toxicity out of the soil. Hemp can be used to create totally biodegradable plastics to prevent wildlife death and toxic plastic pollution.

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Some of the world’s most masterful works of arts were painted on canvas which was historically made from tightly woven hemp. The word "canvas" is derived from the 13th century Anglo-French canevaz and the Old French canevas. Both may be derivatives of the Vulgar Latin cannapaceus for "made of hemp", originating from the Greek κάνναβις (cannabis). It came into common usage in the 16th century during the Italian Renaissance. Venetian painters were especially keen on utilizing canvas because it was easier for them to use in a humid environment than frescos (which dried poorly in the lagoon) or wood panels (which absorbed moisture and warped). They also had a large, cheap supply readily available—given that the material was also used to make sails and the Venetians were known for their naval fleet.