What is Industrial Hemp?

Hemp is often confused with Marijuana. These two plants look and smell similar, and even come from the same family. However, there is one distinct difference that has allowed for national legalization of one plant and not the other.  The distinction is simple – how much THC does the plant have in it. Hemp, by law, contains less than 0.3% THC. Anything above this minuscule percentage is considered Marijuana. While both plants have their share of therapeutic benefits, only hemp is legal in all fifty states.  With the difference between hemp and marijuana out of the way, it is time to get into precisely what hemp is. More specifically, what is industrial hemp?

Legal or Not – The Stigma Remains

Industrial hemp is just hemp. The word industrial gets placed in front of hemp to make everyone more comfortable. Despite laws that once banned hemp, everyone is and was well aware of the benefits of this plant. With the benefits in mind, loopholes were written into these already controversial laws. Using the word, industrial suggest a single purpose use and separates hemp from the hippie culture that it’s associated with.  At the end of the day, hemp is hemp, industrial or not.

That isn’t to say there isn’t a difference between industrial hemp and handcrafted small-batch hemp. The methods and standards used to grow hemp are as important as ever. The semantics surrounding the names on the other hand – not so much.  Despite national legalization, a noticeable stigma continues to surround hemp. Most people don’t know the difference between hemp and marijuana. Beyond that, even fewer people really understand what hemp is.

What is Hemp?

Hemp is a plant. Unlike most plants, however, hemp can be used to make an endless list of products. From eco-friendly biofuels to vitamin supplements, hemp has a full spectrum of uses most people haven’t even considered.  From a sustainable paper alternative to clothing textile hemp is used to make just about anything you can think of. This plant is capable of being the source of so many products Forbes predicts it will have a multi-billion dollar market of its own by 2022. Hemp is also the source of all of Bloom’s CBD products.

Hemp is Legal

With the passing of the Farm Bill at the end of 2018 Hemp became legal in all 50 states. This law was possible in part because of the chemical makeup of the hemp. Without the psychoactive compound THC, legislators decided the rewards outweighed the negligible risks and legalized Hemp. The Farm Bill allows for hemp to be grown and hemp products to be distributed legally throughout the United States.

American Made

Buying local matters. When purchasing hemp products, it is essential to find out where the hemp was grown. Hemp grown in the United States is typically more reliable and much safer than hemp grown overseas.  Counties such as China and Russia use hemp to detoxify soil. This hemp occasionally gets sold to distributors that don’t test as rigorously as they should. As a result, products made from low-quality hemp often fail to hit the mark when put under scrutiny. These products either don’t have enough of what they say they do or contain the toxic byproducts of low-quality hemp.

Hemp Benefits

Studies continue to come out putting on display all of the health benefits of hemp. Whether it be the seed of the plant, extract, or even juicing the leaves every aspect of hemp is packed with benefits.  Hemp seeds are a great source of magnesium as well as essential omega fatty acids. Hemp seeds also provide complex proteins and amino acids which are essential to healthy living. If you aren’t big on cooking hemp supplements such as CBD is linked to a wide variety of health benefits.  Eco-friendly paper, reusable bags, bio-fuel, all of these typically wasteful items can be made from hemp. All of these items, when made from hemp become eco-friendly, reusable, and sustainable. We’ll continue to dive into the benefits of hemp in other posts, but now you should have a good understanding of what industrial hemp is. Of course, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out to us on social media to ask!