countries have banned hemp. Why ban the most sustainable energy source on the planet? It would appear like some sort of a miracle that one plant can produce a whole nation’s fuel and energy requirements and still be in perfect harmony with the environment. A miracle that can provide energy to the entire world – made illegal!

The Environmental Advantages
of Hemp

     Deforestation is a major threat. Hemp is an outstanding substitute for wood in the paper industry as it is an extremely fast growing and renewable crop. Hemp can be harvested every three to four months whereas forests take many years to regenerate. One hectare of hemp yields the equivalent volume of usable fibre as 3-4 hectares of forest. In short, one hectare of industrial hemp preserves 3-4 hectares of forest.

     The greenhouse effect is very much in the news at the moment. Interestingly, growing hemp is a very efficient way of absorbing carbon dioxide, especially if it is used as a means of reducing deforestation.

     In addition, the hemp plant helps to replenish and detoxify the soil; it uses far

less fertiliser, fungicides, herbicides or pesticides than other crops, and it needs less amounts of water too. Hemp grows well in a variety of climates and conditions as long as they are frost-free for at least 90 days or more per year.

     At the very least, hemp makes excellent green manure, especially when used as a rotational crop. Hemp stabilises and enriches the soil and ensures fields are free from weeds negating the needs and costs of herbicides. Its value on this point alone, even if no part of the plant is being utilised is immense. Any additional benefits, be they industrial or monetary, represent a bonus.

THC in Hemp

     Hemp contains Δ9 etrahydrocannabinol (THC),   which is the psychoactive ingredient found in cannabis. While THC is present in all cannabis varieties to some extent, industrial cannabis does not contain enough to produce an intoxicating effect, even if large amounts were ingested. In varieties grown for medicinal uses and where males are removed to prevent fertilisation, THC levels can be as high as approximately 20% in the unfertilised females. In hemp varieties grown for industrial use, the plants are grown very closely together and a very dense biomass product is obtained, rich in oil from the seeds and fibre from the stalks but low in THC content. EU and Canadian regulations limit THC content to 0.3% in industrial hemp.