What is hemp?
Hemp is a plant of the Cannabis Sativa variety that is grown specifically for industrial, medicinal or food purposes. Hemp has been known and used since ancient times, information can be found that the use of this plant goes back up to 50,000 years. Due to its unique composition, hemp is used to produce various products. Hemp has another unique feature – this plant, like bamboo, is one of the fastest growing plants on Earth. In a favorable climate, hemp can be harvesed up to 3 times per year. The hemp plant grows to a height of 3-5 meters, although this plant really impresses with its bright green leaves, but the flowers are not bright colors during flowering. Hemp fields look unique and often attract the attention of those who just want to walk through them or capture them in a photo shoot.
Although hemp has become very popular recently and there is a lot of information about it, it should be noted that hemp is divided into fiber or industrial hemp and medical hemp (marijuana). It is a plant belonging to the same strain of Cannabis Sativa but from different groups. Both fiber hemp and marijuana contain the psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but hemp has a lower concentration of this ingredient and a higher concentration of another ingredient, cannabidiol (CBD).
Growing hemp
Due to the psychoactive ingredient (THC), the cultivation of hemp is quite strictly regulated. For a long time, the cultivation of all cannabis plants was generally prohibited, precisely because of its psychoactive effects, without distinguishing between fiber hemp and marijuana. However, due to its extremely wide use and valuable properties, hemp has been approved for cultivation again. Each state government enacts laws that allow or prohibit the cultivation of hemp and the production and sale of hemp products.
Growing hemp in UK
In the UK, hemp can only be grown under an official “controlled substance” license issued by the Home Office. Since 1971, it is still considered a restricted crop under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971. Under the regulation, only EU approved seeds with a THC level below 0.2% can be sown, and only the stems and seeds can be harvested from hemp plants in the UK. The leaves used for CBD extraction must be destroyed as soon as they are separated from the plant as the cultivation process is still illegal in the UK. However, CBD can be legally imported from abroad. And the production, sale and use of CBD products is perfectly legal, as are hemp leaf and hemp flower products. The situation is somewhat controversial, and in this case, foreign countries receive many orders to import these products. Zenon Hemp Farm is one of those farms that exports a lot of hemp tea (leaf tea, hemp flower tea).
Growing hemp in US
in 2019 In October, the cultivation of hemp became legal in 46 US states under federal law. The 2018 Farm Bill, which incorporated the Hemp Farming Act of 2018, removed hemp as a Schedule I drug and instead made it an agricultural commodity. It has legalized hemp at the federal level, making it easier for growers to get a production license. Despite this progress, the US hemp business has struggled to expand as it has faced the challenges of traditional marketing and selling methods. It has been difficult for hemp companies and startups to sell non-psychoactive hemp products as some online advertising platforms and financial institutions do not distinguish between hemp and marijuana.
Fiber or Industrial Hemp
Hemp fiber is a plant of the Cannabis Sativa variety grown for industry and containing up to 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol. The allowed amount of this component may slightly differ from country to country. Industrial hemp is legal in the European Union, UK and many other countries around the world. However, before buying hemp products, especially online, check the legal system of the country you are shipping the products to.
Hemp stem fiber is dense and strong, so it is very widely used in the production of ropes, textiles, clothing, shoes, paper, bioplastics, biofuels, insulation materials and other construction materials. Depending on the composition, hemp fibers can be used to make up to 100% hemp textiles, but they are usually mixed with other fibers such as linen, cotton or silk to make fabrics. It is not uncommon to see hemp in cosmetics, which are mostly used to obtain a moisturizing effect.
The health benefits of Hemp
The nutritional composition and value of hemp has been known for a long time. One of the most famous and widely used hemp food products is hemp seeds. They are rich in fat and protein, 100 g of hemp seeds contain as much as 64% of the daily protein requirement. They are also a source of dietary fiber, contain B vitamins and nutritional minerals such as manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and iron. Hemp seeds are rich in fatty acids, most of which are polyunsaturated, linoleic, oleic, alpha-linolenic. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, also known as essential acids (the most important of which are omega 3 and omega 6), are essential for maintaining proper health. The human body is not able to produce these acids on its own, so they must be obtained from food. 1-2 tablespoons of hemp seed oil is the full recommended daily amount of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids.
Research on the benefits of hemp
Research on the health effects of cannabis has been going on for over a decade. And the further this research gains momentum, the more positive properties of hemp and its constituents are discovered.
In particular, a lot of research is done in the US. One of the subjects of research is cannabidiol (CBD), which is found naturally in hemp, and its effects on human health. Data from studies already done show that cannabidiol (CBD) is useful for people with epilepsy, relieves symptoms of nausea and vomiting, reduces chronic pain and relieves sleep disorders.
This component is found in hemp and products made from it, such as hemp tea or hemp oil.
P.S. Hemp food products cannot be used for medical purposes, it is recommended to consult a doctor first. Hemp products may only be used to maintain normal health, strengthen immunity, and relieve minor digestive or sleep disorder.
The article was prepared by SEO Fausta
