Hemp Basics: What is Hemp?
Weed, grass, pot, dope, hemp, cannabis, marijuana...... We have so many names for the same plant. Or, are they the same plant? If not, what’s the difference between them? How many varieties of cannabis are there on earth? Here is the article to answer the following questions:
- What is the definition of “hemp”?
- Is hemp addictive and why?
- What is hemp used for?
- Where is hemp cultivated?
- What is the definition of “hemp”?
Hemp is a kind of cannabis sativa. Cannabis sativa is an annual herbaceous flowering plant, which can be divided into three categories according to its uses.
Industrial Use: It is called Hemp, containing THC<3%.
Medical Use: It is called Cannabis, containing 3%<THC<5%.
Recreational Use: It is called Marijuana, containing THC>5%.
- Is hemp addictive and why?
A simple answer is no, hemp is not addictive. Cannabis sativa contains hundreds of active ingredients, the two most important of which are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the culprit for the addiction, while CBD is a cannabinoid that will not cause addiction. According to medical research, the addiction rate of recreational marijuana is only 9%, while that of cigarettes is 32% and alcohol is 27%. However, hemp contains less than 3% THC, therefore, it is completely non-addictive.
- What is hemp used for?
Cannabis sativa was one of the first crops to be cultivated by humans, and it has been cultivated for 6,000-12,000 years. The first evidence of cannabis cultivation comes from East Asia, where people used the stems for weaving and fruits for eating. Nowadays, industrial hemp is used in more than a dozen fields including but not limited to health products, animal products, electronics, apparel, biofuels, etc.
- Where is hemp cultivated?
Cannabis is grown on all continents of the world, including Europe, Asia, America (including North and South America), Africa, and Oceania. Many countries have approved the legalization of marijuana for medical, industrial, and recreational use. Countries that allow medical use of whole plants include Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, and others.
