Hemp

This article is about the cultivation and uses of hemp. For the biology of the plant, see Cannabis. For the drug, see Cannabis (drug). For other uses of the word hemp, see Hemp (disambiguation).

Hemp fibers.

An example of hemp cloth.

Hemp (Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa) is a plant and the fibers made from it. It is a subspecies of the Cannabis sativa plant. It is usually used to make cloth and other textiles, and ropes.

History

Hemp is one of the oldest plants humans have grown and used. Hemp was domesticated in Asia over 10,000 years ago. It was already used to make clothes, ropes, and an early form of paper. The seeds were eaten, and the plant had medicinal uses. From there the use of hemp spread. In Europe, hemp was at least used 5,500 years ago. It is one of the earliest domesticated plants recorded.^[1] It is quite strong and does not need many pesticides (to keep away bugs)^[2] and no herbicides.^[3] Linen and hemp were the most important fiber plants in Europe for a long time.

Hemp is similar to marijuana, but contains very little THC, the chemical that makes people feel good while using marijuana. Hemp is completely legal in most U.S. states, France, Spain, Indonesia, England, and Ireland.

Uses for hemp

Hemp can be used for the following things:

Building materials
- Hempcrete
- Mud bricks
- Rammed earth
- Wallboard
Cellulose based plastics
Paints and finishes
Paper
Medicine (cannabidiol)
Food & edible oil (seeds)

Hemp Media

A hemp field in Côtes-d'Armor, Brittany, France, which is Europe's largest hemp producer as of 2022
Drone video of a hemp themed maze in a hemp (kanep in Estonian) field in Kanepi parish, Estonia (August 2022)
Close up of hemp seeds which were not separated from the hemp plant.
A macro image of hemp seeds
A number of hemp and bead bracelets at an Oakland, California, U.S.A. Chinatown street fair
Hemp rope (Corderie Royale of Rochefort, Charente-Maritime)
Hemp Straw for rodents
Biodiesel sample
The variety of appearances for cannabis. Only C. sativa (left) is suited for industrial hemp, but it also has medicinal varieties.
Dried hemp stalks displayed at the International Hemp Fair in Vienna
Harvesting industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) - This is a separate harvest for a different form of processing: The upper part of the plant with the leaves will be collected for cold pressing, while the lower part remains for producing fiber and initially it is left on the field.
Hemp for Victory, a short documentary produced by the United States Department of Agriculture during World War II