HEMP, HEMP, MARVELOUS HEMP

Last week PHB attended one of the oldest hemp trade shows in the country, NoCo. Normally PHB focuses on the health aspects of hemp, but the Expo was a great reminder of why hemp is such an important part of human agricultural history, and a great way to see new innovations in hemp as a fiber crop.

4,000 BC – Hemp is cultivated in China

1500 BC – Egyptians used hemp for textiles and hemp rope.

Ancient Greeks – Used the plant they called κάνναβις (kánnabis)

Roman Era – The term “canvas” comes from the Latin word, “cannabis.” 

1500-1700 AD – The Guttenberg bibles and the King James bibles were printed on hemp-based paper

1620 – The Mayflower sails to the western hemisphere with hemp rope, sails, and caulking

1776 – The Declaration of Independence is written on hemp paper

1790s – George Washington and Thomas Jefferson advocate for hemp to be grown by all farmers for its variety of uses.

1890s – Up to 90% of the world’s rope, cloth, twine, cords, ship sails, canvas, and fiber is derived from hemp fibers.

1937 – Hemp is stigmatized in the USA and outlawed for THC content

WW2 – The US Government again encourages hemp farming for the war effort, and up to 100,000 acres are grown again, mostly for fiber, only to be outlawed again at war’s end.

• Hemp seeds contain complete protein that is more economical and nutritious than soybeans. The amino acid profile of hemp seeds is comparable to the profiles of other protein-rich foods, such as meat, milk, eggs, and soy. Hemp protein makes a great substitute for tofu, soybeans, butter, cheese, salad oil, milk, animal feed, and more.
• Hemp seeds also are a rich source of dietary fiber (20% DV), B vitamins, and the dietary minerals manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and iron.
• Hemp oil is cold-pressed from the seed and is high in unsaturated fatty acids. It is also used for varnishes and other coatings.
• Hemp cannabinoids are extracted from unfertilized hemp flowers, and are used to maintain a healthy endocannabinoid system which is critical for balanced nervous and digestive systems.
• Hemp stalks are used for hemp-based plastics, cardboard, paper, fabric, textiles, rope,
• Hemp stalks are also being developed for use for building materials, like concrete reinforcement, flooring, and more.
• Hemp fiber is used for bedding for animals.
• Hemp is commonly used as insulation. It does not settle and so cavities do not form, making it low-maintenance. Naturally lightweight and non-toxic, it can be used as exposed installation, too. Compared to mineral insulation, hemp absorbs 2x the heat, making it comparable to wood.

• Hemp fabric is 4 times warmer than cotton, and it’s stronger and softer. It lasts twice as long as cotton and doesn’t mildew. One acre of hemp yields as much fiber as 2 – 3 acres of cotton.
• Hemp paper lasts hundreds of years without degrading, can be recycled many more times than tree-based paper, and requires fewer toxic chemicals to manufacture. One acre of hemp yields as much fiber for paper as 2 – 4 acres of trees, and grows in one season rather than decades. Compared to wood pulp, hemp yields a four to five times longer fiber. So far, only the outer part of the stem yields fibers suitable for paper production. 
• A few benefits of growing hemp as a crop include the suppression of weeds, anti-erosion, reclamation properties, and the removal of poisonous substances and heavy metals from soil.

• “Hempcrete,” hemp reinforced concrete, is 7-9 x lighter than concrete, repels some vermin, and is insulative.
• Hemp fiber is being turned into ethanol as fuel.
• Hemp is being developed as a substitute for plastics, and it is biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable, making it much more environmentally friendly.
• Hemp can be grown in most climates and needs only moderate amounts of water and fertilizer.
• Hemp has a short growing season, so it can be used in a rotation schedule.
• Hemp fiber is being compressed into environmentally friendly flooring material.

(1) Thanks to Formation AG, www.formation-ag.com, for fun fast facts!

(2) Wikipedia, “Hemp.”