Belonging to the Canabinaceae family, hemp has experienced increasing popularity with the public in recent years. Having been used for a long time, hemp is present everywhere on the planet whether as food, fiber or textile. Unlike cannabis, hemp does not cause any psychotropic effects since its THC level, which corresponds to the psychoactive molecule, is below 0.03%.
The use of hemp spread across continents, in which China was already producing textiles in -600 BC. The Arabs perfected the technique of making paper from hemp. Between the 17th and 18th centuries, ships required ropes and sails to navigate. Hemp therefore took the place of a strategic material during this period, just like coal for steam engines or oil for our society today. Later, during World War II, several countries equipped their soldiers with uniforms made of hemp due to the material durability.
On August 2, 1937, the American Congress passed the “Marijuana Tax Act”, which lost its status as the first textile and utilitarian material for hemp. For several years now, many countries have realized the strategic scope of hemp and its distinction from cannabis. Little by little, legislation is currently making it possible to revive hemp’s image and its initial place in the market: a functional material with multiple benefits for a good number of industrial sectors.
Did you know?
The first Bible by Gutenberg, was printed on hemp paper
It was also the prop for the United States Declaration of Independence.
Did you know?
In the 18th century, as an American farmer, growing hemp and distributing it to the state could be used as a tax payment.
Did you know?
The prototype of the first car designed by Henry Ford, the “Hemp Body”, was developed in 1941. It was a vehicle made almost entirely from plant materials!