Hemp, or Cannabis sativa cultivars, is a mighty little shrub that deserves far more acclaim than it gets. This one plant could save the planet if it wasn’t underappreciated and underutilized. Hemp is a highly sustainable crop. It is one of the fastest growing plants in the world, it cleanses the soil of toxins, it filters large amounts of CO2 from the air, it uses minimal water, and it requires no pesticides or fungicides. Hemp is also extremely useful. It can be used to make thousands of important items such as paper, bioplastics, biofuel, insulation, textiles, clothing, shoes, and rope. Full of protein, healthy fats, fiber, and essential minerals, hemp is also a highly nutritious food source. Hemp seeds can be ground into meal, sprouted, eaten raw, and cold-pressed into hemp seed oil.
A History on Hemp
Hemp’s history goes back almost all the way to the beginning of the agricultural age. As one of the world’s first agricultural crops, remnants of hemp can be traced back to at least 8000 BCE. Referred to as “sacred grass” by ancient Persian priests, hemp has been a major player in world agriculture for thousands of years.
Today, the United States is the third largest producer of hemp in the world. Hemp growing has been part of America’s history for over 400 years. It was mentioned in the 1600’s as an important New England textile crop. Later, George Washington and other founding fathers grew and advocated for the hemp industry. In 1942, the USDA initiated a “Hemp for Victory” program, encouraging farmers to grow hemp as part of the war effort. Unfortunately, hemp was soon classified as an illegal drug and banned in the United States in 1970, when congress passed The Controlled Substances Act. Thankfully, this was amended almost 50 years later when President Trump removed hemp from the act.
Made in the USA
The best states for growing hemp include Oregon, Colorado, and New York. These states enjoy clear governmental regulations, friendly relations with state departments, and they possess the ideal growing conditions. Hemp thrives in mild, humid climates with well-drained, loose soil. An annual rainfall 20+ inches also helps these plants thrive.
It is important to know the source of your hemp. The United States holds hemp farmers to strict laws regarding THC content. Industrial hemp in the US must contain less than 0.3% of THC. Crops that exceed this amount are destroyed. When you buy hemp that was grown in the United States, you can be confident that its THC levels are far below the amount at which it becomes psychoactive. (At 1% THC, you might see very low psychoactive activity. Recreational marijuana contains 5-25% THC.)
Good Ol’ Oregon
More hemp is grown in Oregon than in any other state. Oregon is uniquely suited for hemp farmers. One reason for this is the preeminence of the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Compared to other states, they reign supreme when it comes to supporting and training their hemp farmers. They also hold their farmers to more stringent testing than that in other parts of the country.
Additionally, it is legal to manufacture and sell all hemp products in Oregon, including ingestible ones, allowing farmers to produce hemp for multiple uses. Some areas, such as California, only allow the production of topical hemp products, such as hemp oils and creams.
Finally, Oregon’s warm climate and loose, pH-balanced soil are perfect for growing healthy hemp plants. Hemp Magazine compares Oregon’s hemp to Burgandy’s wine—so good it is better known as a wine than it is as a region. One day, when you hear the name Oregon, you might think of hemp before you think of the state itself.
ProHEMP sources all their hemp from beautiful Oregon. The southern region of Oregon experiences a mild, Mediterranean climate suitable for all strains of hemp. The Willamette Valley region between Eugene and northeast Portland is moist, fertile, and warm, also ideal for growing hemp. Other regions are ideal for specific hemp strains. Wherever it is grown, you can be sure that Oregon farmers know their stuff, and the plant quality will be superior.
Get Some, Give Some
Did you know that March 12th is National Plant a Flower Day? There seems to be a day for everything, but this is one that truly deserves to be celebrated! Now that we’ve harvested something from Mother Earth, it’s time to give a little in return. Flowers brighten and beautify the earth, provide nutritious food, gift us with their amazing essential oils, and make people happy.
Here at ProHEMP, we want to invite you to show the earth your appreciation on March 12th by giving back in some way. You can plant a flower as the name suggests, or plant anything! A tree, a shrub, whatever suits your fancy! Show your gratitude to planet earth for all that it gives you by giving it a little love back. And we will be sure to do the same!
Once you’ve done that, give yourself a little love by adding one of our hemp tinctures to your daily dose of self-care.