Almost Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Hemp
Hemp, scientifically classified as Cannabis sativa, is a versatile plant used in thousands of products for industrial, medicinal, and recreational purposes. Known as industrial hemp, it is a labor-intensive crop that has seen rising demand, especially after the 2018 Farm Bill eased regulations on its cultivation and sale. By 2021, the global market value of hemp was estimated at around $4 billion.
The Appeal of Hemp
Hemp’s attractiveness lies in its rapid growth and versatility. It is one of the fastest-growing plants, comparable to bamboo. When processed, hemp can be transformed into numerous products.
Scientific Name: Cannabis Sativa L (hemp)
Chemotypes: II, III, IV, V
Etymology and Origin of Hemp
Etymology
The word “hemp” has ancient origins. The Greek term κάνναβις (kánnabis) possibly borrowed from Scythian or Thracian societies, spread quickly across Latin, Slavic, Finnish, Baltic, and Germanic cultures. Old English adopted it as hænep or henep, potentially influenced by the term ‘qunnabu’ from the Assyrians, used to describe fiber, oil, and medicine.
Origin
Hemp’s exact ancestral source is unknown, but it likely originated in Central Asia. Archaeological records indicate hemp fiber cultivation as early as 2800 BCE, spreading to Europe and the Mediterranean by the Middle Ages, and eventually reaching Chile in the 1500s and North America in the 1600s.
Characteristics of Hemp
Physical Characteristics
Hemp is a sturdy, vertically erect plant growing between 4-15 feet in height. Its leaves are palmate with 7-11 serrated leaflets. The flowers are small and range from yellow to green, with female plants producing pollen and seeds. The stem is hollow and cylindrical with a solid base and tip, and the inner layer, or pith, is surrounded by hurds and fibers.
The fibers are long, flexible, and durable, making them ideal for products like rope, sacking, and various other items.
Uses of Hemp
Early Uses
Historically, hemp was used for food, fuel, medicine, textiles, and more. In ancient China, it was revered as one of the ‘5 grains’, considered sacred.
From 200 BC to the 1800s
Hemp continued to be a major source for paper, clothing, and cordage. The cultivation techniques described in ancient Chinese texts are still used today.
Hemp in Europe (500-1000 AD)
Introduced between 500 and 1000 AD, hemp became popular among European farmers and paper producers. Under King Henry VIII, English farmers were fined if they did not grow hemp.
Hemp in America
In early America, colonies required farmers to grow hemp. George Washington encouraged its cultivation, though production declined with the rise of petroleum products.
Modern Uses of Hemp
Today, hemp is used in over 25,000 products, including construction materials, textiles, nutrition, wellness, and biofuels.
Hemp-Derived CBD
CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, has become highly popular. The global CBD market was estimated at $2.8 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $3.5 billion by 2021.
Construction Materials
Hemp is used in insulation, concrete, plaster, composites, and oil-based paints. It is sustainable, mold-resistant, durable, and lightweight.
Textiles
Hemp fibers are used for paper, boxes, cordage, canvas, fabrics, upholstery, blankets, bagging, sacks, threads, clothing, and accessories.
Nutrition, Wellness, and Medical
Hemp products are used in beauty products, nutritional supplements, and various health applications.
Fuel and Agriculture
Hemp is used for animal feed, biofuels, natural mulch, fertilizer, plant and animal bedding.
Cultivation of Hemp
Growing Conditions
Hemp thrives in temperate climates with moderate humidity. In the US, it is grown in states like Colorado, Tennessee, Kentucky, Northern California, Vermont, and Oregon. China, Colombia, France, and Lithuania are also major producers.
Soil Preferences
Hemp prefers deep, aerated soils with a pH of around 6. It requires a balance of moisture and drainage.
Nutrition
Hemp requires significant nitrogen during the first 6-8 weeks and phosphorous during flowering and seed formation. Recommended nutrients include 80-100 lbs of nitrogen, 35-50 lbs of phosphate, and 52-70 lbs of potash per acre.
Weed Control
Hemp naturally suppresses weeds, reducing the need for pesticides.
Seeding and Germination
Seeding should occur when soil temperatures reach 42-46°F. Germination occurs within 24-48 hours, with seedlings emerging in 5-7 days. Optimal seed density is 50-60 lbs per acre.
Harvesting
Hemp fiber is ready for harvest 70-90 days after seeding, and seeds are harvested 4-6 weeks after fiber harvest.
Comparison to Other Crops
Hemp produces more fiber per acre than cotton and more paper per acre than any other crop. It is hardy, sustainable, and provides a high yield with few natural predators and no need for herbicides.
Hemp Regulations
Legal Status Worldwide
Hemp regulations vary globally. The 2018 US Farm Bill significantly eased restrictions, but each country has its own laws. The EU allows products with less than 0.2% THC, while many Asian countries have strict laws. Latin American countries are more lenient, and some African nations are beginning to explore hemp cultivation.
Conclusion
Hemp’s versatility makes it one of the most valuable agricultural crops. With changing regulations, its potential as a sustainable, high-yield crop is being rediscovered, offering numerous environmental and economic benefits.
