Hemp has been manufactured into textiles, ropes, and paper for thousands of years. Hemp is one of the variants of the cannabis Sativa plants. Unlike its relatives, however, hemp contains very little THC (the psychoactive compound in weed) content, thereby making it near useless in a joint. Hemp, however, has many other uses and applications in industry, which has led to the coining of the name industrial hemp. Some of the products that can be made from hemp are outlined below:
1. Fuel
Hemp is probably the best source of fuel for the environment. It is renewable, cost-efficient, and the most environmentally friendly source of fuel globally. Hemp can be processed into biodiesel and ethanol/methanol. Researchers have revealed that less than 10% of the hemp grown in the United States is enough to substitute for nuclear power and fossil fuels.
2. Plastic
Plastic made from hemp is 100% biodegradable, meaning that replacing regular plastic with hemp plastic will cut down on world pollution. It is also amazing to note that this biodegradability does not come at the expense of durability, as hemp plastic products are reported to be up to 2.5 times stronger than regular polypropylene plastic. It also doesn’t contain the harmful chemicals that make oil-based plastics dangerous.
3. Paper
It may surprise you to find out that hemp produces paper of higher quality than wood pulp. It also doesn’t require harmful substances such as chlorine to bleach it during its processing which is better for the environment. You may then ask why hemp is not the main raw material for paper processing. The answer is a simple one. The growth of hemp was illegal until recently, and therefore the paper creation processes are optimized for processing wood pulp, making it more expensive to make paper from hemp. This hopefully changes in the next few decades.
4. Ink
Hemp can not only be used to create paper but also the ink that is used to write on it. Hemp oil serves as an excellent base for non-toxic ink. It also has the advantage of drying faster than other non-toxic inks, making it a great choice for writing on paper.
5. Jeans
Imagine odor and water-resistant jeans, which also last longer and become more comfortable with each wash. It sounds like the perfect pair of jeans, doesn’t it? Hemp jeans have all of these characteristics making hemp the perfect jeans material.
6. Flour
Flour made from hemp is incredibly dense, meaning you cannot use it for baking on its own. It can, however, be mixed with other lighter flour to produce highly nutritious baked goods. Hemp seeds are packed with nutrients, with a superfood status, and serve as a healthy boost for your bakes.
7. Animal feed
Meals prepared from hemp are rich in nutrients and suitable for animals to be fed with. They contain easily digestible proteins and can be digested directly by livestock, unlike corn, which often needs to be digested with the help of antibiotics.
8. Paint
Continuing its legacy as being good for the environment, hemp can be used to create safe paints. Many regular paints contain volatile organic compounds, which are released into the atmosphere as they dry. Although a lot of legislation is in place to stop the use of these VOCs in paints, many paints still contain them, making hemp paint a perfect replacement for them. You can also be sure of a superb finish with hemp paints as it dries fast and is easily absorbed into wooden materials.
9. Chocolate
While you still need chocolates to make chocolates, you can add hemp seeds to create a more nutritious snack. This can be made at home with some chocolate, weed seeds, and other nuts.
10. Shoes
Strong and durable fibers can be obtained from hemp plants. These can then be woven into a durable material for shoes. Besides being lightweight and breathable, hemp shoes are animal cruelty-free and remain comfortable even in hot weather.
11. Creams and lotions
Weed seeds are chock full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids, all ingredients that will help nourish your skin. As hemp is renewable and sustainable, you can feel good about helping the environment while giving your skin a treat. Hemp oil can also help you clear acne and brighten your skin.
12. Fibreboard
Hemp can be used as a substitute for regular fibreboard in buildings as it ticks all the boxes for materials used. It is light, strong, has insulative properties, and is even waterproof.
13. Milk
Milk created from hemp seeds helps those with lactose intolerance enjoy a glass of milk. Hemp seed is one of the few sources of all the essential proteins needed by the body. It is also packed with many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Hemp milk can also be flavored so you can enjoy it even better.
14. Diapers
The American Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that about 18 billion diapers are disposed of yearly in the United States. As these diapers are often made of non-biodegradable materials, they constitute a nuisance to the environment. Diapers made from hemp material are biodegradable, light, and breathable, giving your baby a comfortable fit while also contributing to the environment.
15. Shampoo
Hemp oil contains the necessary fatty acids, omega-3, and omega-6, for hair growth and maintenance. The large number of vitamins present in hemp oil also nourishes your hair. Vitamin E, in particular, has been proven to help prevent the loss of hair by helping the blood flow better in the capillaries.
16. Nail polish
Hemp oil is a great ingredient for creating nail polish for the same reasons why it is great for creating cream and shampoo. The vast amount of nutrients it contains helps keep your nails healthy and beautiful.
Conclusion
Hemp plants have so many benefits that this writeup only scratches the surface of what can be created from it. The uses of hemp vary widely from clothing to food and stationery. Hemp is one of the best materials for our planet as it is renewable and relatively easy to grow.
However, it is worthy of note that hemp oil can get rancid quickly if proper storage is not provided for it. To get weed seeds of the best quality, reach out to Highway420 today.