Why Hemp?

Hemp as you probably know or are starting to understand is the industrial name we give the Cannabis sativa varieties that have low to nil traces of THC. (The molecule that makes you high that is!)

Hemp is a very versatile plant and has been used all over the world since prehistory, as food, clothing, building materials, fuel and medicine. Almost every part of the hemp plant can be used by industry: The seeds, the stalk, the roots, the flower and even the leaves. While hemp, Marijuana or Cannabis are one and the same species, they are quite different in character when bred for industrial versus medicinal or recreational consumption. Hemp benefits the environment and the economy while providing a sustainable alternative source of fibre for paper, textiles, and other purposes.

Hemp seed has served as a primary famine food in China, Australia and Europe as recently as World War II. Hemp seed also contains all the essential amino acids and fatty acids and the most complete protein to be found in the vegetable kingdom. A better question might be, why not hemp?

And what about CBD? Over 80 chemicals, known as cannabinoids, have been found in the Cannabis Sativa plant.  Different varieties of cannabis have varying concentrations of all the different types of cannabinoids.  THC, mentioned above is the most prevalent and well known (due to its psychoactive properties), however CBD (Cannabidiol) which is found primarily in the flower, is the second most prevalent cannabinoid and is a non-psychoactive.

Although the exact medical benefits and implications of CBD are still being investigated, it has demonstrated promise in a variety of therapeutic and pharmaceutical regimes.

HEMP: CROP OF THE FUTURE

Products on the market today are only a small demonstration of the potential of hemp’s usefulness for paper, fibre, food, fuel, and more. Most hemp activists’ overwhelming interest is in ecological and economic issues.  Years of prohibition and propaganda had slowed or stopped the many possible uses of this plant, but thanks to the current generation of hemp lovers we’ve seen a shift with increased momentum for better access to this beneficial plant.

CARBON NEGATIVE

As noted in our section on sustainability, the production of hemp is carbon negative, which means it absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere during its growth than is emitted by the equipment used to harvest, process and transport it.  It has environmentally responsible industrial and consumer applications including bioplastics, composites, construction materials, high protein foods and beverages, health-promoting food supplements, textiles, paper products, biofuel, graphene substitutes.

GOOD BUSINESS

Hemp can be a profitable cash crop for farmers, even more so when they reside in a country that allows them to utilise the whole plant.

The hemp industry is a cost-effective and socially responsible business that can help mitigate Climate Change, representing a shift in our current system to upgrade it to a circular economy.  Hemp is a key stakeholder in the upscaling of innovative projects that accelerate the transition towards a regenerative growth model.  That is, the outputs give back to the planet more than it takes whilst creating many thousands of new green and highly skilled jobs in rural areas and in manufacturing

 VALUABLE PROTEIN SOURCE

Hemp seeds possess an extremely high nutritional value and are one of the best products available from the hemp plant. The recent increase in popularity has made them easily accessible for human consumption. Hemp seeds are high in protein, fibre and contain essential fatty acids (omega-3s and omega-6s). The seeds protein is a complete protein source containing all nine essential amino acids, the building blocks for all proteins. The body can’t produce essential amino acids or fatty acids so eating hemp seeds are a great way to make sure you are getting them from your diet.