The wonders of Hemp

Although hemp is one of the oldest crops in the world, it was not until the 1990s that it became reinstated as an agricultural crop. Botanically, like marijuana, hemp is a variant of cannabis and has been wrongly associated with drugs. Low in THC (a psychoactive ingredient), hemp has none of the qualities of recreational drugs. However, its value lay in its endless applications: food, animal feed, cosmetics and toiletries, biofuel, textiles, biodegradable plastic, paper etc. .. making it one of the most versatile and sustainable plants.

Hemp is an environmentally friendly crop. It grows well without herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides. Hemp grows quickly while at the same time improving soil quality, so that it can be cultivated over and over again in the same fields (though under organic rules hemp is grown more ecologically in rotation with other crops). Because its applications are so diverse, hemp is a highly sustainable alternative to non-renewable petrochemicals.

In textiles hemp offers a great alternative to conventionally grown cotton which uses high levels of pesticides and very high levels of water. Hemp fibre has been valued throughout the ages because its supple texture is strong and durable. Thanks to excellent insulative and conductive qualities hemp fabric can be worn all year long and is very resistant to degradation from mould, bacteria, sunlight and chemicals. Hemp clothes actually get better with age and do not lose their shape. Also, unlike synthetic fibres, hemp is fully biodegradable.

Other applications not only include paper (a great alternative to deforestation), food and cosmetics (hemp seed is rich in Vitamin A and essential fatty acids, protein, Vitamin Bs and dietary fibre) but also biodegradable plastic and biofuel. Our ever-increasing reliance on non-renewable hydrocarbons (petroleum and other fossil fuels) is irrevocably changing our world. By choosing renewable sources such as hemp, we take decisive steps towards sustainability.