What Is Hemp?

Hemp is a plant that is a variety of Cannabis, a class of plants that includes marijuana, the illegal recreational drug. The chemical in marijuana that is responsible for its effects makes up about 20% of the marijuana plant but it is also present in hemp, although at a concentration of less than 1%.

Bizarrely, this means that hemp is regarded as a controlled substance in the USA, even though it could be put to good use as a wood substitute in paper making. The use of hemp fibres has a very long history. It was first used in ancient China to make rope, fish net and other materials. Today the plant is used to a limited extent in speciality textiles and some paper.

Some companies in the US (more in Europe) sell writing paper containing small amounts of hemp fiber, blended with less expensive non wood fibers. It is generally used for highly specialized products such as cigarette casings, tea bags and the paper that is used for printing money.

Hemp is the strongest vegetable fiber on the planet. Hemp is a highly evolved plant species and is not genetically engineered. Hemp is heat, mildew, pest, light, and rot resistant. Hemp's long, smooth, hollow fibers make hemp very strong, durable and mold and mildew resistant.

More Info on Hemp
Hemp Uses
Hemp Legal Implications

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