HEMP: A VERSATILE PLANT
Today is Hemp Day!
If you're already a CBD user or have considered including it in your supplement routine, you've probably heard of hemp. In Mexico, most CBD products are made with hemp extracts.
In addition to serving as a base for the production of highly nutritious supplements, this plant is also known in the industry as a sustainable alternative to manufacturing materials such as cotton and plastic.
Keep reading! You'll understand why hemp is part of the trend in the health and environmental sustainability industries.
A little bit of context…
Hemp is often considered one of the first cultivated plants in history. In fact, the oldest cannabis remains date back to 8000 BC, demonstrating that humans have cultivated, processed, and used the plant for millennia.
Along with bamboo, hemp is one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet. It was also one of the first crops converted into fiber, more than 50,000 years ago. Hemp dates back archaeologically to China, where it was used to make clothing, rope, and even shoes. Over time, it was also used to cook dishes such as cakes, pastries, and soups.
In the United States, the use of hemp is attributed to George Washington , who promoted its cultivation as a cash crop to generate income in needy areas that had the climatic conditions for its cultivation.
The reality is that today, hemp is used much less than in ancient times, and many people have forgotten its diverse uses.
Hemp and Marijuana are two different things!
That's right: a 2020 study found that 33% of Americans have used CBD products . Yet, 26% still believe this cannabinoid is the same as marijuana, while more than 50% think CBD will show up on a drug test. This confusion is even more common in countries like Mexico, where the cannabis industry has been lagging for years.
Hemp and marijuana are two different varieties of the same family: Cannabis . Their main difference is their content of the two main cannabinoids: CBD (which does not produce a psychotropic effect and does not appear in drug tests) and THC (which does produce a psychotropic effect and does appear in drug tests).
Hemp is characterized by its high CBD content and traces of THC, while marijuana, on the other hand, has high levels of THC and lower CBD. In addition to their distinct appearance, cultivation methods, and uses, it's important to note that when consumed through ingestible products, these plants produce completely different effects on the body. Find more information about this difference here.
7 uses of hemp that you didn't know about
This is probably the most popular use of the plant. CBD users have a lot to thank hemp for: unlike marijuana plants, the hemp plant has negligible THC content and is rich in CBD. Since many CBD users aren't interested in any of the psychotropic effects associated with THC, hemp has become the crop of choice for farmers who make CBD products .
Hemp cultivation requires less than a third of the water needed for cotton, and it also produces stronger fibers. For this reason, hemp is experiencing a resurgence in the fashion industry today. Fun fact! Did you know that Levi's carries an entire collection of hemp jeans ?
Hemp can be used to make a wide variety of plastics. In fact, in the 1940s, Ford produced a prototype car made from hemp and soy plastic. Today, hemp plastics are also used to make shower curtains, CD and DVD cases, and much more.
Hemp seeds have received much praise for their high nutritional value, containing high levels of protein, calcium, iron, and essential fatty acids. Because of this, they have become popular as a superfood and dietary supplement. Want to know something interesting? In 2022, Pepsi launched "Rockstar Unplugged ," an energy drink infused with hemp seeds.
As mentioned before, hemp can be used to make oil. And like other vegetable oils, it can be processed to produce biodiesel. The plant can also be fermented to create ethanol or methanol. However, hemp fuel production is very small because commercial biodiesel and biogas are typically made from cheap (albeit unsustainable) materials.
The plant is known to contain many compounds that are extremely beneficial for skin health, such as vitamins and essential acids. Hemp-based CBD creams or balms are also used to treat certain skin conditions, such as eczema, arthritis, and other types of rashes, ulcers, or irritations.
Hemp is sometimes referred to as a "mop crop" because it can be used to purify water or soil. For example, these plants are sometimes used to remove impurities from wastewater or excess phosphorus from poultry waste, helping some farmers avoid the use of herbicides (critical for those seeking organic farming certification).
And in summary…
With the post-pandemic trends in the world of supplements and current mental health issues, brands and suppliers around the world have innovated with more health-friendly alternatives. In Mexico, there are trusted suppliers that have encapsulated the incredible benefits of CBD in products such as oils , gummies , ointments , and even CBD products for pets .
Like Ford, Levi's, and Pepsi, many multinational companies have joined the hemp trend. Although there is still a long way to go, we will surely be able to find more and more products and solutions made from this magnificent plant in a few years.
Today, February 4th, we celebrate Hemp Day!
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