Hemp

Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a plant in the botanical class of Cannabis sativa cultivars grown specifically for industrial and consumable use. It can be used to make a wide range of products. Along with bamboo, hemp is among the fastest growing plants on Earth. It was also one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber 50,000 years ago. It can be refined into a variety of commercial items, including paper, rope, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, insulation, biofuel, food, and animal feed.
Although chemotype I cannabis and hemp are both Cannabis sativa and contain the psychoactive component tetrahydrocannabinol, they represent distinct cultivar groups, typically with unique phytochemical compositions and uses. Hemp typically has lower concentrations of total THC and may have higher concentrations of cannabidiol, which potentially mitigates the psychoactive effects of THC. The legality of hemp varies widely among countries. Some governments regulate the concentration of THC and permit only hemp that is bred with an especially low THC content into commercial production.

Etymology

The etymology is uncertain but there appears to be no common Proto-Indo-European source for the various forms of the word; the Greek term κάνναβις is the oldest attested form, which may have been borrowed from an earlier Scythian or Thracian word. Then it appears to have been borrowed into Latin, and separately into Slavic and from there into Baltic, Finnish, and Germanic languages.
In the Germanic languages, following Grimm's law, the "k" would have changed to "h" with the first Germanic sound shift, giving Proto-Germanic *hanapiz, which developed into the Old English form, hænep, henep. Barber however, argued that the spread of the name "kannabis" was due to its historically more recent plant use, starting from the south, around Iran, whereas non-THC varieties of hemp are older and prehistoric. Another possible source of origin is Assyrian qunnabu, which was the name for a source of oil, fiber, and medicine in the 1st millennium BC.
Cognates of hemp in other Germanic languages include Dutch hennep, Danish and Norwegian hamp, Saterland Frisian Hoamp, German Hanf, Icelandic hampur and Swedish hampa. In those languages, "hemp" can refer to either industrial fiber hemp or narcotic cannabis strains.

Uses

Hemp is used to make a wide range of commercial and industrial products. Hemp seeds are consumed directly as food and are also pressed into oil used for cooking, nutritional supplements, cosmetics, and as a drying oil in paints and varnishes. Hempseed meal, a by-product of oil extraction, is increasingly evaluated for use in animal feed, including poultry, swine, cattle, fish, and companion animals, due to its favorable protein and fatty acid profile.
The bast fibers are applied in textiles and blended fabrics, furnishings, and specialty papers. They are also processed into composites for construction materials such as hempcrete, fiber-reinforced insulation panels, and biocomposites for furniture and automotive parts. Hemp fiber is additionally used in specialty products such as musical instruments, including guitars and amplifiers, and in pulp for paper and biodegradable packaging.
The inner woody core is employed in animal bedding, garden mulch, litter, and as a component in lightweight building blocks and particle boards. Hemp oil and extracts are also used for non-intoxicating cannabinoid products, such as cannabidiol, in dietary supplements, cosmetics, and wellness formulations.

Food

Hemp seeds can be eaten raw, ground into hemp meal, sprouted, or made into dried sprout powder. Hemp seeds can also be made into a slurry used for baking or beverages, such as hemp milk and tisanes. Hemp oil is cold-pressed from the seed and is high in unsaturated fatty acids.
In the UK, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs treats hemp as a purely non-food crop, but with proper licensing and proof of less than 0.3% THC concentration, hemp seeds can be imported for sowing or for sale as a food or food ingredient. In the US, hemp can be used legally in food products and, as of 2000, was typically sold in health food stores or through mail order.

Nutrition

Hulled hemp seeds are 5% water, 5% carbohydrates, 49% fat, and 32% protein. In a reference amount of, hulled hemp seeds supply 533 calories of food energy, and are a rich source of several B vitamins and dietary minerals.
The share of protein obtained from hemp seeds can be increased by processing the seeds, such as by dehulling the seeds, or by using the meal or press cake - the remaining fraction of hemp seed obtained after expelling its oil fraction. The proteins are mostly located in the inner layer of the seed, whereas the hull is poor in proteins, as it mostly contains the fiber.
The three main proteins in hemp seeds are edestin, albumin, and beta-conglycinin. Hemp seed proteins are highly digestible compared to soy proteins when untreated. The amino acid profile of hemp seeds is comparable to the profiles of other protein-rich foods, such as meat, milk, eggs, and soy. The most abundant amino acid in hemp seed is glutamic acid followed by arginine. Hemp seed protein has a profile of essential amino acids inferior to that of soy or casein.
Despite the rich nutrient content of hemp seeds, the seeds contain antinutritional compounds, including phytic acid, trypsin inhibitors, and tannins, in statistically significant concentrations.

Storage

oxidizes and turns rancid within a short period if not stored properly; its shelf life is extended when it is stored in a dark airtight container and refrigerated. Both light and heat can degrade hemp oil.

Fiber

Hemp fiber has been used extensively throughout history, with production peaking soon after being introduced to the New World. For centuries, items ranging from rope to fabrics to industrial materials were made from hemp fiber. Hemp was also commonly used to make sail canvas. The word "canvas" is derived from the word cannabis. Pure hemp has a texture similar to linen. Because of its versatility for use in a variety of products, today hemp is used in a number of consumer goods, including clothing, shoes, accessories, dog collars, and home wares. For clothing, in some instances, hemp is mixed with lyocell. Its benefits in terms for sustainability also increase its appeal in industries, such as the clothing industry.

Building material

Hemp as a building construction material provides solutions to various issues facing current building standards. Its light weight, mold resistance, breathability, etc., make hemp products versatile in a multitude of uses. Following the co-heating tests of NNFCC Renewable House at the Building Research Establishment, hemp is reported to be a more sustainable material of construction than most building methods used today. In addition, its practical use in building construction could result in the reduction of both energy consumption costs and the creation of secondary pollutants.
In 2022, hemp-lime, also known as hempcrete, was accepted as a building material, along with methodologies for its use, by the International Code Council, and was included in the 2024 edition of the International Residential Code as an appendix: "Appendix BL Hemp-Lime Construction". This inclusion in the IRC model code is expected to promote expansion of the use and legitimacy of hemp-lime in construction in the United States.
The hemp market was at its largest during the 17th century. In the 19th century and onward, the market saw a decline during its rapid illegalization in many countries. Hemp has resurfaced in green building construction, primarily in Europe. The modern-day disputes regarding the legality of hemp lead to its main disadvantages: importing and regulating costs. Final Report on the Construction of the Hemp Houses at Haverhill, UK concludes that hemp construction exceeds the cost of traditional building materials by £48 per square meter.
Currently, the University of Bath researches the use of hemp-lime panel systems for construction. Funded by the European Union, the research tests panel design within its use in high-quality construction, on-site assembly, humidity and moisture penetration, temperature change, daily performance, and energy-saving documentation. The program, focusing on Britain, France, and Spain markets aims to perfect protocols of use and application, manufacturing, data gathering, certification for market use, as well as warranty and insurance.
The most common use of hemp-lime in building is by casting the hemp-hurd and lime mix while wet around a timber frame with temporary shuttering and tamping the mix to form a firm mass. After the removal of the temporary shuttering, the solidified hemp mix is then ready to be plastered with lime plaster.

Sustainability

Hemp is classified under the green category of building design, primarily due to its positive effects on the environment. A few of its benefits include but are not limited to the suppression of weed growth, anti-erosion, reclamation properties, and the ability to remove poisonous substances and heavy metals from soil.
The use of hemp is beginning to gain popularity alongside other natural materials. This is because cannabis processing is done mechanically with minimal harmful effects on the environment. A part of what makes hemp sustainable is its minimal water usage and non-reliance on pesticides for proper growth. It is recyclable, non-toxic, and biodegradable, making hemp a popular choice in green building construction.
Hemp fiber is known to have high strength and durability, and has been known to be a good protector against vermin. The fiber can reinforce structures by embossing threads and cannabis shavers. Hemp has been involved more recently in the building industry, producing building construction materials including insulation, hempcrete, and varnishes.
Hemp-made materials have low embodied energy. The plant can absorb large amounts of CO₂, providing air quality, thermal balance, and creating a positive environmental impact.
Hemp's properties allow mold resistance, and its porous materiality makes the building materials made of it breathable. In addition, hemp possesses the ability to absorb and release moisture without deteriorating. Hemp can be non-flammable if mixed with lime and could be applied to numerous aspects of the building due to its lightweight properties.