The story of hemp and its prohibition is one of guilt by association… with marijuana. Though they are two distinct plants, they are the both part of the cannabis sativa species and as a result, hemp, despite its countless uses and applications, was prohibited, which stunted the economic potential and value of the plant.

A weed in its own right, hemp grows more easily than its marijuana counterpart. Hemp can grow in a variety of conditions and requires minimal care to do so. While it certainly looks an awful lot like marijuana, visible differences like height and foliage are distinct enough to differentiate the two.

The hemp plant is taller and most of its leaves are found at the top of the plant. These differences, however, are only superficial. One of the biggest differences can be found in is its composition: it does not contain the psychoactive elements of marijuana – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

While hemp only has trace amounts of THC, it contains cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive cannabinoid content of marijuana that has recently gained in popularity as a treatment for everything from headaches to stress, pain and insomnia, doing so without the “high” effect one would get from marijuana use. Research has deduced that CBD attaches to receptors in the endocannabinoid system of the body, which is a complex biological system that works collaboratively with other systems to maintain good health in the context of memory, sleep, mood and even metabolism.

Those who believe in the plant’s efficacy and anti-inflammatory qualities have used it to treat numerous health issues and ailments including acne, anxiety, arthritis, pain, depression, epilepsy, glaucoma, loss of appetite, loss of sleep and muscle spasms. Its use by patients with Parkinson’s disease has produced results that are incredible to see.

Though it is not common, some users have reported side effects associated with CBD use including anxiety, changes in appetite and mood, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and diarrhea, as well as increased levels of enzymes that can lead to inflammation or damage to the liver, so it is best for people to talk to their physicians about proper dosing and use.

Unless CBD oil is produced in a controlled and regulated atmosphere, there is no way to guarantee its potency. It is important to note that CBD use can interact with some medications, including anti-epileptic drugs. Pregnant and nursing mothers are also advised against its use as some studies have indicated it can enhance the placenta barrier’s permeability and could pose risk to the fetus as it develops.

Further to its CBD content, hemp shows great potential as a renewable resource. Unlike marijuana, which is cultivated primarily for its flowers, hemp seeds, flowers, fibres, shivs, leaves and roots all have an important role to play in the sustainable production of numerous commodities and in our reduced reliance on fossil fuels.

It is truly remarkable that hemp’s use dates as far back as 8000 BCE in Asia and the Middle East. Its original uses were for textiles, as it was durable and versatile as material for clothing, sails, canvas, paper, as well as nets, ropes and twine and as a food source. Today, hemp-based food products and snack foods are once again growing in popularity, both for flavour and nutrition. Considered a superfood, hemp seeds are a complete source of plant-based protein, as they contain all nine essential amino acids. In thirty grams of hemp seeds, there are almost nine-and-a-half grams of protein!

Hemp seeds are also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals such as soluble and insoluble fibre, vitamin E, phosphorus, potassium, and so much more, including linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linoleic acid (omega-3), making it great for heart health, joints, skin and even the brain.

Further to hemp-based foods, hemp can be used to make beverages and supplements. It is also found in some pet foods as it is beneficial for birds, cats, dogs, cows and horses alike, and serves as a suitable material for pet bedding and cat litter.

Non-toxic hemp oil is also used to produce body lotions and moisturizers, as well as candles, paint, and other oil-based products like hemp biodiesel, ethanol and plastics. Hemp-based plastics are biodegradable and could effectively replace plastic as we know it and reduce the pollution that is overtaking our lands and our seas. Hemp fibres have also been used to produce fiberglass and hempcrete. A viable concrete and insulation alternative, hempcrete is a bio-composite material that takes the fibrous core of the hemp plant and combines it with the binding power of lime to produce a durable and sustainable building material.

Around the world, hemp is viewed as both a sustainable and a profitable crop that shows great promise for the future. It is not only good for the bottom line; hemp production is credited with preventing soil erosion and supporting soil detoxification, while requiring less water and no pesticides for its production.

Despite the marked differences between hemp and marijuana and their respective uses, since 1970 cannabis has been classified as an illegal Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act in the United States. That is, until recently, when the Farm Bill was introduced in 2018.

The Farm Bill was a sweeping piece of legislation related to federal food and agricultural policy, and it contained a provision legalizing hemp as an agricultural commodity, which is good news because now that prohibition has ended, the $350 million U.S. market is expected to reach $1 billion in sales by 2020. Despite its growth, the U.S. hemp market is only a small part of the global industry, which is currently valued at $3.7 billion. Just as the U.S. hemp market is expected to grow, the global market is expected to reach $5.7 billion by 2020.

Currently, the United States ranks third in terms of hemp production, sliding into the top three after a surge in acres this past year thanks to the Farm Bill. Production in the U.S. is predominantly dedicated to CBD production, while hemp for use in textiles, fabric or other hemp-based products is likely to be imported, much of it sourced from their neighbours to the north.

Canada ranks second globally in terms of hemp production, behind only China which is responsible for much of the world’s hemp production. Though hemp was commercially legalized in Canada in 1998, it saw a significant increase in acreage between 2016 and 2017. According to Health Canada, during that time, Canadian farmers increased hemp production by eighty percent, with the crop’s acreage jumping from 75,000 to 140,000. That growth is not expected to be sustained, though, as supply in Canada greatly outweighed demand, causing prices to drop and necessitating government intervention, which could slow production in years to come.

A renewed appreciation of hemp is prompting what many believe will be an economic boom, especially as increasing numbers of countries around the world end prohibition and begin to recognize the many benefits of the plant and its practical uses and applications. As a sustainable resource and a viable alternative to fossil fuels, hemp is a weed with a purpose and great economic potential.