Hemp is an annual, erect herb with cane-like stems. A member of the Cannaceae family, it produces flower clusters on pistillate (female) plants or stamens on staminate (male) ones and has long been appreciated for its lightweight fibres that offer the strength and durability that cotton or wood pulp cannot match; hence its popularity for use in paper production as well as textile applications like fabric production or making paper textiles like canvas cloth or clothing.
Hemp seed contains high-quality proteins, abundant lipids and significant quantities of insoluble dietary fibre. Hemp protein is easily digestible and packed with essential amino acids such as methionine and cysteine that are underrepresented in vegetarian diets. Hemp protein also boasts an exceptional concentration of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-3 fatty acid thought to play an essential role for human health; hemp oil serves as an invaluable source of polyunsaturates such as linoleic acid (LA; omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; omega-3).
Hemp’s fibrous stalk can be transformed into fabric, twine, rope and paper products. Hemp is also an excellent substitute for wood pulp in papermaking as well as biodegradable plastics that are recyclable and sustainable. Hemp is an extremely hardy crop requiring little irrigation while withstanding drought, flooding, cold, wind and frost conditions; making it a valuable rotational crop which enriches soil quality through continuous leaf shedding during growing season, keeping moisture levels balanced while increasing nutrient content of soils.
Cultivation of cannabis sativa for industrial purposes was illegal in the US until 2014 when, through the Farm Bill, three exceptions were created that allow hemp cultivation under research programs administered by institutes of higher education, state departments of agriculture or the Department of Defense. This legislation legalized its cultivation as an agricultural commodity and removed it from Schedule I controlled substances list.
Hemp fibers are stronger and more flexible than those found in flax or sisal, enabling fabric manufacturers to craft fabrics similar to linen as well as canvas and burlap (sacking). Specially processed hemp has an attractive white sheen that is used for twine, yarn and cordage applications. Hemp fibres serve as the basis for “hempcrete,” an innovative material which combines hemp fibres with lime binder and can be used to build non-load-bearing walls or other structures. Hemp can also be used for producing non-toxic and biodegradable plastics as well as an economical replacement to traditional concrete construction applications in some construction applications known as Hempcrete production. Hempcrete costs less to produce compared to its counterpart and provides renewable resources. Crack-resistant concrete is also less likely to crack than its concrete counterpart and can tolerate more extreme climate conditions, while being lighter than stone makes transport and set-up simpler. In addition, being water- and mold-resistant offers additional advantages.