What Is Agricultural Hemp? Although there are some logistic differences between agricultural hemp and Indian hemp, botanically it is the same plant. It is the cultivation methods and especially the varieties used that make it a classic agricultural crop, or one that is used to make CBD. The determining criterion is how much THC content (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the cannabinoid responsible for the psychotropic effects of hemp.
The latter contains nearly a hundred other cannabinoids, including CBD (cannabidiol), which would have sedative and anxiolytic virtues. It would also act on many different systems in the body and has a certain therapeutic interest. The characteristic smell of hemp is due to organic compounds: terpenes. These would also have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. It is not surprising that hemp is of great interest in the medical field.
What Is Agricultural Hemp?
Agricultural Hemp is a variety of Cannabis Sativa plants that contains less than 0.3% THC. It is grown for industrial purposes and is legal for use in the United States and several countries. Different countries have different rules as to how much THC is acceptable within hemp and its’ end product. Check your local laws for exact levels.
You can determine if a hemp or CBD product has legally acceptable levels of THC by reading the Certificate of Analysis report.
Hemp Uses: Predisposition to organic cultivation
Hemp (Latin name: cannabis sativa L.) is an annual dicotyledonous plant. It is originally a dioecious plant, meaning that males and females are found on different plants. The male plants pollinate the females and the females carry the seeds. If they are not fertilized, they form inflorescences which are commonly called “heads”. On the market, there are monoecious plants (also called hermaphrodites) which group male and female flowers on the same stem.
Hemp prefers medium-heavy soils that are well irrigated but free of standing water and compaction. The optimal pH is between 6 and 7.5. It has no particular requirements for the previous crop and constitutes a good cultural precedent thanks to its tap roots. It is recommended to respect a minimum interval of 3 years between two hemp crops. This plant is undemanding and robust, botrytis being the main disease affecting it. Due to the high sowing density, seed hemp does not require any weed control. This makes the crop particularly suitable for organic cultivation.
Hemp can be cultivated for its fiber, its seed or its unfertilized female inflorescences (where the cannabinoids are concentrated, for legal cannabis it is CBD). The cultivation path is different depending on the final use of the product.
Hemp Is a Quality Fiber
For example in Switzerland, the hemp industry for fiber is almost non-existent, contrary to France and Germany in particular, which have redoubled their efforts in this field over the last few years. The fibers of hemp are found in its stalk, so that a dense cultivation with a maximum of long stalks is sought. In order to extract the fibers – the filasse – the stalks must be left in the field for 2 – 3 weeks and turned over regularly. During this retting phase, the action of rain and light breaks down the pectins that bind the fibers together. Once the spun yarn separates from the chenevotte, the plant mass can be pressed into bales and stored for the extraction and spinning processes. The hemp fiber was used in the past as bedding and is nowadays used as insulation in buildings.
Hemp fiber is of good quality and can be used in many ways, including ropes, clothing, twine, and paper.
Takeaway on What is Agricultural Hemp
Agricultural Hemp is a variety of Cannabis Sativa plants that contains less than 0.3% THC. It is legal for use in the United States and several other countries. Agricultural hemp is what is used to make CBD. It is also called Industrial Hemp.
How to Know More About the Agricultural Hemp In Your CBD Products
Was What is Agricultural Hemp useful? If you are concerned about the source, sustainability, or quality of the hemp used in your favorite CBD product, read How to Find a Quality CBD Vendor.
Some other concerns and questions about agricultural hemp include where it is sourced, are there benefits to vertical integration between hemp and the CBD, and if organic or sustainable farming methods are used.