The purpose of this variety of documents on hemp is to dispel myths on hemp, educate on the benefits of this fantastic plant and provide a comprehensive set of information on help cultivation, harvest and processing.
Industrial cannabis is grown for one single purpose. To obtain the soft, durable fiber produced called Hemp.
Hemp is used for a variety of industrial and medical applications. Products such as paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction, health food and fuel can be produced from various versatile elements the crop.
Hemp food products, mostly orientated around the oil produced, has grown considerably in the last 3 years.
Hemp is one of the faster growing plants known, producing up to 25 tonnes of dry matter per hectare per year. Hemp is very environmentally friendly to grow, as it can be grown organically with no pesticides or herbicides. It is extremely hardy to drought and disease.
The cannabis plants primarily used for production of recreational and medicinal drugs have poor fibre quality and are not used industrially.
The major difference between the two types of plants is, although genetically different, the amount of (THC) produced by industrial strains is generally below 0.3% THC, while Cannabis grown for its psychoactive qualities can contain anywhere from 6 to over 20%.
Major producers of hemp include Canada, France, and China.
While more hemp, that has been processed into various products, is exported to the United States than to any other country, the United States Government does not consistently distinguish between marijuana and the non-psychoactive Cannabis used for industrial and commercial purposes.