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HEMP

inside a hemp field

Cannabis sativa

Hemp fibre

WHAT IS HEMP

Hemp is the name given to the high-growing varieties of the cannabis plant, one of the oldest and most sustainable crops in the world. It is highly nutritious, very versatile and great for the environment.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEMP AND MARIJUANA

Hemp is not marijuana. Marijuana is not hemp. They each have their own separate uses and benefits. Hemp and marijuana typically get mixed up is because they both are from the same plant species, cannabis sativa L

The strain of the plant used for a variety of hemp products is very different to the strain used to make marijuana and contains no tetrahydrocannibol (THC) which is the element in Marijuana that makes you feel ‘high’.

WHAT IS USED FOR

Different parts of the plant are used for different purposes. 

Marijuana is used for recreational or medicinal purposes. 

However, with hemp, you can’t get “high” from it at all. Instead, hemp has been known for its industrial and environmental uses and benefits throughout history. Hemp is used  for paper, fuel, oils, medicine, clothing, housing, plastic, rope and  even in foods and beauty products,

HOW IS HEMP FABRIC MADE

During harvesting, the plants are cut near to ground level, gathered up, and left to dry in swathes. Once dry, steam is used to separate the stem into many thinner fibres. Which can then be used to make into a very strong, durable fabric.

In more modern production, it has become possible to de-gum hemp fibre before spinning, softening the resultant fabric without compromising its strength.

THE GOOD THING ABOUT HEMP FABRIC

Since being able to make a much softer fabric, hemp is has been re-discovered. 

Its porous nature (allowing it to be both breathable and insulating) and strength make it a fabric to be worn year-round without it becoming misshapen, faded, or worn out.

Its anti-bacterial properties make it gentle on the skin.

DID YOU KNOW...

Hemp was even considered legal tender (money), as people were able to pay their taxes with hemp for over 200 years in America. Hemp was so valuable that farmers were sometimes fined or even jailed for not growing cannabis in both America and England . What a completely different story today!

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