Hemp

Author: Tony Budden - Hemporium

( Article Type: Explanation )

Industrial hemp refers to the non-psychoactive varieties of the Cannabis plant. The diverse range of products derived from hemp include durable fibres, paper, construction materials, nutritional and health products and oils. Hemp is easily grown using organic farming methods and grows exceptionally quickly.
Industrial hemp has a rich history. It is believed that it was the first crop cultivated for fibre and the word ‘Canvas’ is directly related to ‘Cannabis’. It is only in the past century that this beneficial plant has been criminalised through incorrect association with the narcotic industry. There are now over 30 countries that have legitimate hemp industries including Canada, China, Australia and most of the EU.
In South Africa hemp is not grown commercially, but we have had industrial hemp trials for the past 10 years and it has been demonstrated that industrial hemp would flourish in our growing conditions. There are several exciting projects underway that could jump-start the industry as soon as the legislative issues have been resolved.

Hemp vs Dagga
Although they are both of the Cannabis family, hemp is grown predominantly for its fibre and seed while dagga (marijuana) is cultivated for its psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.
While dagga typically has between 3% and 15% THC content in the flowers, industrial hemp has less than 0.5%, giving it no value as a psychoactive drug. Law enforcement can be trained to easily recognise the difference between the two.

A Multitude of Uses
Almost the entire hemp plant can be used to make a multitude of end products. The outer bast fibre from the stalk can be used for clothing, canvas and rope whilst the inner core fibre (or hurds) can be used for construction and paper production.
Hemp fibre is much stronger than cotton and is UV and mould resistant. Hemp fabrics are extremely durable and the hollow nature of the hemp fibre results in breathable clothing that has anti-bacterial properties. Hemp cellulose offers hope for finding a more affordable and renewable raw material for plastic, biocomposites and fibreglass.
Hemp seed is high in the easily digestible protein Globulin Edistin. Hemp seed oil is one of the few plant sources that contain Omega 3, 6 and 9 in perfect ratios for our body, as well as all the essential amino acids. Hemp seeds are not psychoactive.
Hemp stalk can be compressed into chipboard and can be mixed with lime to create hempcrete. Hemp fibres can also be woven into insulation/isolation mats that are an environmentally friendly alternative to fi bre-glass insulation. The cultivation of hemp can also meet many of the developmental needs of job-creation, nutrition and housing. Hemp fits in perfectly with a holistic approach to farming, one that focuses on sustainability and organic practices, working well as a rotation crop, natural herbicide, windbreak, soil remediation and carbon sink as well as sustainable resource.
From a ‘sustainable development’ perspective, hemp can replace our current dependency on synthetics and chemicals and promote the use of a sustainable and renewable resource.