Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular hemp-derived products.
Hemp plants are a species of cannabis plant within the Cannabaceae family. The term “hemp” is used to distinguish cannabis that contains 0.3 percent or less THC content by dry weight from plants with a higher THC content. Hemp can be used to make a variety of products, which will be explored further in this article.
Textiles and Paper Products
Hemp fabric is a form of textile manufactured from fibers extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant’s stalks. For millennia, this plant has been recognized as a source of extremely tensile and durable textile fibers. Cultivators have purposely lowered the quantities of psychotropic cannabinoids produced by their crops in order to breed Cannabis sativa to produce stronger and superior fibers.
Hemp has a texture similar to cotton when turned into fabric, but it also has a canvas-like feel. Hemp fabric does not shrink and is highly resistant to pilling. Hemp fabric is very soft, but it is also quite durable, as the fibers from this plant are long and tough. While a regular cotton T-shirt lasts 10 years at most, a hemp T-shirt may last double or triple that period. Hemp cloth is three times stronger than cotton fabric, according to some estimations. This makes hemp an incredibly popular fabric choice.
Despite being illegal for many decades, the 2014 federal Farm Bill permitted cultivation of industrial hemp for research purposes on the federal level in the United States. More and more states are taking matters into their own hands and growing this crop for commercial purposes without the explicit permission of the federal government. In most cases, the states pursuing this agricultural endeavor are those that have also legalized the use of recreational marijuana.
In 1916, American agricultural experts found that hemp pulp could be used to create paper. Not only did paper made from hemp have better characteristics, but it also produced four times as much paper per acre than paper made from trees. Hemp-based paper has been used for thousands of years, dating back to ancient China and Egypt. Despite the fact that it produced a larger yield and was more environmentally friendly, hemp fiber production was essentially non-existent on a national basis by 1933 thanks to the wood-pulp paper industry.
It was their lobbying efforts in the early 20th century that contributed to the smear campaign against hemp. Luckily, hemp paper products can be produced today, and are an incredibly popular greener alternative to traditional wood-pulp papers.
Balms, lotions, and other topicals
Another popular method of consuming hemp is by using CBD products. Non-psychoactive and full of medicinal properties, CBD is an incredibly popular choice in alternative medicine and naturopathy. Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular hemp-derived products.
Overall, lotions and balms sparked the most interest among consumers in the US followed by gummies, tinctures, and supplements, allowing consumers to enjoy a wide variety of CBD products. While research is still in its early stages, some data suggest that topical CBD may be beneficial in the treatment of muscle soreness. The potential of CBD for pain and inflammation was highlighted in a 2018 study, while its pain-relieving properties were mentioned in a 2019 study.
Topical CBD may also help cure certain skin diseases like psoriasis, eczema, or acne according to other research. CBD ointment is a safe and efficient treatment for inflammatory skin disorders, according to a 2019 study, and may help improve skin hydration and suppleness.
Ingestible hemp products
The last popular category includes gummies, vapes, or other methods of consuming CBD or hemp-derived products. CBD can be extracted from the hemp plant and mixed with a solvent to create an extract or distillate.
Extracts and distillates can be consumed orally as a tincture or oil, and they can also be combined with other ingredients to create edibles. Distillate can also be vaped. These products are incredibly popular for their versatility and enjoyable delivery method. Inhalation causes the quickest results, whereas oral consumption typically requires 30 minutes to 1 hour to fully kick in.
Hemp products are an extremely popular category in markets today. The legalization of cannabis in the United States has opened doors for producers in all industries to take advantage of this wonderful plant and all of its benefits. If you’re interested in high-quality, lab-tested extracts or topicals, Abundant Labs is here to help. Contact us today to learn more.