The Cannabis family has several different breeds, yet it is most famously known for marijuana (“weed”), hence the confusion between hemp and marijuana. Hemp and marijuana are two varieties of the cannabis plant.
Marijuana has been cultivated to contain high levels of the intoxicating, Tetrahydrocannabidinol (THC) compound that some people inhale or ingest for its trademark ‘high.’
Hemp on the other hand, is prized for the high levels of Cannabidiol (CBD) and other non-intoxicating compounds that people take to help lift their mood, calm their mind, reduce inflammation and relieve chronic pain. Beyond this, hemp is known to have over 25,000 different applications!
Humans have grown hemp for food, fabric and medicine since 8000 BC. A resilient, low impact crop, Hemp is the from the family ‘Cannabis Sativa; which means ‘cultivated (Sativa) Hemp (Cannabis).’
Hemp is best known as a source of fibre for making rope or twine but its flowers and seeds contain nutritious plant proteins and a broad spectrum of compounds that are beneficial to our health and wellbeing.
Defined a weed, it takes up relatively little space and grows prolifically with little water. Its dense canopy of leaves eradicates the need for pesticides and herbicides thereby reducing soil toxicity. It thrives in adverse soil conditions and its roots prevent soil erosion. Furthermore, industrial hemp readily absorbs more CO2 than any other commercial crop or commercial forestry.