39 Hemp Facts: Here's Everything You Wanted To Know

Hemp plants have had their own share of being infamous in the world.

Hemp has a long and textured history dating back to the first century. While some parts of the world are still a little rigid when it comes to accepting the many ways in which hemp is beneficial, still others have embraced this plant with open arms!

Hemp was used as currency and for its many practical purposes such as clothing, ropes, sails, and paper. Hemp was even used as a fuel source! Hemp is making a comeback in recent years as people are beginning to understand the benefits of this amazing plant. Let's discuss some hemp facts that you may not have known!

Classification Of Hemp

While hemp cultivation has been in practice for as many as 10,000 years, the stigma around the plant has been sustained in many parts of the world till the present day.

The use of industrial hemp is legalized in all 50 states of the United States of America, seeing how beneficial this plant is and the number of ways in which it can be used to ensure a more sustainable future!

There is no single binomial name for the species of the hemp plant that is legal in the USA.

The plant is also made for industrial use if it hits a certain parameter set by the federal government.

However, it is also important to note that Cannabis ruderalis is the hemp species that has the lowest percentage of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol.

It is not the same as Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica, which have psychoactive properties.

Hemp cultivation is legal as long as the THC content in the plant is less than 0.3%.

This amount of THC is legalized since it cannot cause any psychoactive effects on the human body through any kind of consumption or topical use.

Physical Features Of Hemp

Hemp plants are known for their many benefits.

These plants have existed for thousands of years and are classified as one of the oldest plant species to have existed on Earth.

Due to just how fast they grow and the impeccably high number of ways in which hemp can be used, the production rates for this plant species have grown exponentially.

Whether it be hemp paper, hemp seed oil, or hemp fiber, this plant is miraculous and useful in more ways than just one.

Hemp plants are characterized by leaves that grow in five to seven prongs.

The seeds grow on top of the top leaves.

The leaves are bright green.

Hemp plants take around 10 weeks to mature.

Soil Requirements

While you may have heard of hemp oil or hemp paper, you might not have heard about the cultivation process of this miraculous plant.

Hemp is an interesting plant species that has been helping humans and nature in more ways than we know of.

When it comes to cultivating this plant, most experts seem to think that they are some of the easiest to grow.

They also take considerably less time to reach their full size, which is why cultivators hardly ever need to go through any hassle when it comes to hemp!

Hemp plants are fairly capable of taking care of themselves.

They do not need much water and can survive on their own with minimal care.

This is why cultivators never have a tough time raising a bunch of hemp plants.

Hemp plants can grow in almost all kinds of soil.

One of the most fascinating features of this plant is that not only does it not require nutrient-rich soil, but it also enriches the soil in which it grows.

Growing hemp plants can restore the nutritional index in the soil, this is due to the roots of the plant adding essential elements into the soil instead of draining it.

Hemp plants can also remove toxins from their environment.

The process of extracting hemp seed oil is considered impractical in domestic settings.

Hemp is being used as a replacement for plastic. Since it is biodegradable as well, it is a much better option for the environment.

Hemp is considered to be a billion-dollar crop.

Uses Of Industrial Hemp

Industrial hemp is defined by the federal government as any hemp plant which has a THC content of less than 0.3%. This is because such a small THC content has been found to have no psychoactive effects for people to be worried about.

Hence, all the great properties of the plant can be extracted without having to deal with any unpleasantness.

Hemp paper is used all over the world.

A popular urban legend is that U.S. Constitution was written on hemp paper since the founding members needed paper that would stand the tests of time. However, this is false and the document was written on parchment.

Hemp plants have a much higher rate of paper production as opposed to trees, which is why their cultivation has shot up in recent years.

Hemp plants yield more paper in a much shorter amount of time.

These plants have a much higher cellulose content, which is why they yield more paper.

Hemp fibers are used for making clothes.

Hemp oil is beneficial in many ways as well.

The skincare industry has recently been embracing hemp seed oil for its many beneficial properties.

Hemp is also used in the production of hempcrete, which can be used in making buildings.

A vegetable-oil-powered, hemp car was made in the mid 20th century, which pushed the idea of a sustainable car.

Indian hemp and other hemp varieties are used for the production of hemp biodiesel, which can be a more sustainable fuel option in the future.

Hemp seeds can also be used as a potent meat alternative because of their high protein content.

FAQs

What is hemp good for in the body?

Despite what might be believed in the past, hemp is actually great for the human body. Wild hemp plants have many health benefits, which can be extracted through extracting oils or eating them.

The nutritional benefits of hemp are unbelievable when we consider that it is but just a plant. Hemp seeds are rich in protein and can have as many nutrients as meat.

This makes it an ideal choice for people who do not eat meat.

They also contain fatty acids and are rich in calories. This essentially means that the consumption of hemp seeds can help you in feeling full for a longer duration of time.

Hemp seeds are also rich in many vitamins such as A, B, D, and E, which are also needed in some amounts for the human body to be able to function optimally. Hemp seed protein not only helps people in feeling full for longer periods but also saves them from deficiencies.

Is hemp bad for your health?

The hemp plant is useful in many different ways and one of them comes from its nutritious benefits. Even though it comes from the same plant species as cannabis, hemp plants are quite different.

One of the most troublesome things that keep people from exploring the many benefits of hemp is that they assume hemp has psychoactive effects. This is not true.

cannabis sure has some psychoactive effects but research has confirmed that the same is not true for hemp. In turn, the consumption of hemp has many health benefits!

What part of the hemp plant is used?

While hemp seeds are most widely used, other parts of the plant can be used too. The cultivation of hemp is promoted in almost all parts of the world in the present day due to the need for hemp fibers.

Hemp fibers are being used in many ways, right from the making of clothes to even a car! Other parts of the plant are used for the making of hemp plastic, hemp-concrete or hempcrete, and even paper!

What can you do with a hemp plant?

If you have hemp plantings in the backyard, there is an array of things that you can do. While extraction of the hemp seed oil is a very tedious and quite impossible task to be carried out at home, you can just as well try to make the hemp seeds into something delicious.

Hemp seeds can act as an excellent meat substitute, which is why hemp production has amped up throughout the world over the past few years.

Why is hemp bad for you?

With so many wonderful and promising products such as hemp oils, hemp fiber, hemp fabric, hempcrete, and hemp plastic coming up, it is one of the most promising natural resources that we have at hand and can lead to many more exciting and even life-saving inventions! However, it has its cons.

Large amounts of hemp seeds can induce digestive discomfort like bloating, nausea, or constipation. Additionally, hemp seed shells can contain trace quantities of THC, the compound that induces psychoactive effects.