For centuries, mankind has been using hemp as a source of fiber, oil, food, building material, and medicinal purposes. Though it has been outlawed in the past, hemp has recently been gaining in popularity again. This is thanks to the many benefits that hemp has to offer — and the revival of cannabis legalization and acceptance.
In this article, we’ll explore the legal history of hemp in the US, from its prohibition to its renewed legalization. By the end of this post — you’re sure to have a new appreciation for what industrial hemp has endured over the years!
Hemp has a long and storied place in the annals of US and world history. It’s been used since ancient times for a variety of reasons, including making clothing, constructing homes, and even producing oil.
Despite the tumult of on-again, off-again legality — which we’ll get into momentarily — hemp continues to play an important agricultural role in the United States. The resurgence of this important sustainable crop is seeing new and beneficial applications — industrial, culinary, medicinal, and beyond — in virtually every sector from food to self-care to textiles to construction.
And it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon!
So, how did we arrive at this juncture in hemp’s still-evolving legal and functional legacy?
Before jumping back in time, let’s just go ahead and address the cannabis elephant in the room, shall we?
The 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills deemed hemp as a federally-legal plant in the US today. It can be cultivated, researched, transformed into goods, and transported across state lines. You can even mail it via the USPS and — in Uncle Sam’s eyes — it’s fine to travel domestically with hemp.
To be clear, we’re talking about the agricultural commodity industrial hemp — aka hemp that has less than 0.3% THC by weight. We’re talking about the plant itself, not the items that can be made from it (like CBD oil products). And many of these provisions are for commercial (i.e., large-scale) use cases, not personal use scenarios.
However, derivatives and byproducts of hemp biomass are also federally-legal as long as they don’t exceed the mandated THC threshold. This means you won’t get arrested for wearing hemp clothes or stocking up on nutritious hemp hearts (yum!).
CBD is a more complicated legal story.
While the 2018 Farm Bill allows for the cultivation and manufacturing of hemp, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved CBD as an ingredient in dietary supplements or as a food additive. This means that, despite being wildly popular, CBD products still require a new regulatory pathway that explicitly articulates what’s permissible under the law.
The FDA and Congress are ever so slowly working all the nits and gnats of this out. New regulations are ahead — so it’s important that you familiarize yourself if you wish to partake of this mighty cannabinoid in its many forms.
The particulars of growing, processing, marketing, and buying it also vary from state to state, though. With a few exceptions, it’s legal for commercial production and selling of industrial hemp in most parts of the US. Individual rights to grow hemp at home tend to follow along the guidelines set for personal growing of marijuana plants.(1)
Now that we’ve satisfied your immediate concern about current hemp legalization, we can journey back in time to when a legal cloud of smoke started drifting over cannabis.
Early regulations were likely linked to marijuana strains of cannabis that came with psychoactive effects from the THC content. Nonetheless, hemp was often caught up in the dragnet. (Historical records often lack a distinction between cannabis, marijuana, and hemp….)
Despite having been used in medicinal, recreational, spiritual, and commerce capacities for eons, cannabis began facing legal woes in the 1300s.(2) This is when the first prohibitions and restrictions on it rolled out.
In the fifteenth century, Pope Innocent VIII (1432-1492) used drug policy to marginalize and discriminate against people using marijuana. He declared that cannabis was a “tool of the devil.” One of the reasons he did that was because it helped relieve the pain of childbirth in women — and we all know they have that pain because of Adam and Eve’s original sin!(3)
Bans and restrictions continued rolling out around the world through the 1700s and 1800s.(4) It wasn’t until well into the 1900s that cannabis’s legal tides started turning — though the seas were a choppy mess of prohibition and permissibility to be sure.
Hemp has had its own heydays and trials in the US as well.
Hemp farming in America has its roots all the way back to Jamestown.(5) People were actually ordered to plant this crop. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were among the more notable hemp farmers.
By the early 1900s, hemp was a mega-crop. Farming and industrial advances made it easier to grow, harvest, and process than other previously-staple crops, like cotton.
But, that was to change. While other countries started lifting restrictions — and even adding certain preparations of cannabis to their national pharmacopeias — around 1935, America was pedaling in the opposite direction.
In the 1930s, a vicious “reefer madness” propaganda campaign creating hysteria over marijuana crept up afresh. This ultimately led to the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act, which made marijuana illegal in the US. This legislation didn’t distinguish hemp from marijuana. So, by outlawing marijuana — hemp and its byproducts were prohibited, too.
All hemp farming ceased after the Marihuana Tax Act was enacted. This was a devastating blow to many in the commercial and agriculture industries who made their livings off of hemp.
It’s worth taking a moment to call out one notable (some say infamous) person in the history of hemp in the US: Harry Anslinger. Described as both a “racist hate-monger” and a dedicated lifelong civil servant — you can bet he was a colorful character with a controversial imprint on domestic and international drug policies.(6,7)
Regardless of what you think about the man or the ban, it’s frequently deemed that Anslinger pushed the Marihuana Tax Act for the wrong reasons.(8)
Anslinger wasn’t all that concerned by cannabis in his early career. Then he became the inaugural commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (the predecessor to the Drug Enforcement Administration) in 1930 — and his position on cannabis flipped.
With Prohibition starting to collapse, he was passionate about nipping narcotics in the bud. He was on a mission to start a war on drugs (and hemp). Cocaine and heroin had been made illegal years before — but that wasn’t sufficient in Anslinger’s opinion.
Anti-cannabis propaganda and sensationalized stories — possibly fueled by the cotton and paper industries, which were threatened by hemp’s industrial applications, and racism — led Anslinger into dubbing marijuana “evil weed.”(9) He asserted that marijuana was a Pandora’s box — opening it spurred ills like murder, sex crimes, and bouts of psychosis. Reefer madness, if you will.
Anslinger also linked cannabis to Blacks and Latinos. He promoted the grossly racist idea that these folks were the primary consumers and that using marijuana made them forget their place in society.
Though there wasn’t any hard proof of any of this, Anslinger was persuasive. Public sentiment started aligning with Anslinger and after testifying before Congress on the matter, the Marihuana Tax Act was passed.
The Marihuana Tax Act wasn’t the last effort to quash cannabis. In the 1970s, the Nixon Administration launched its “War on Drugs” campaign. This was followed in the 1980s by the Reagan administration’s D.A.R.E. initiative that preached “Just Say No.”
There has been movement on the legal dial. Both at the state and national level, hemp is seeing a new day in the sunshine!
In more recent years, many states have started to ease their stances on cannabis. Access to both hemp and marijuana has expanded. Several states began decriminalizing marijuana possession, launching medical cannabis programs, etc. In fact, most states have some form of medical and/or recreational cannabis use allowance on the books. This appears to be a trend that will continue.
Nothing much happened at the national level between 2009 (end of D.A.R.E.) and the passage of the 2014 Farm Bill. This legislation revived the ability to grow industrial hemp by authorized parties for research purposes. It was well received and the trial period went well.
Then, with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, the floodgates were opened. This act did some key things:
As such, hemp and its byproducts and derivatives were ripe for a renaissance — which we’re seeing all around us today!
Cannabis regulation is complex and involves many different lawmakers, agencies, and so on. Congress — the legislative body that passed the Farm Bills — is only one part of the federal government and overall legal framework.
This leaves a lot for other federal regulators (e.g., FDA, DEA, FTC) and states to figure out. They need to establish the rules for operations, consumption, oversight, etc. — i.e., the shape of the hemp marketplace. This is why we have the inconsistent mash-up of hemp and CBD laws in the US and some locales have tighter restrictions than others.
If hemp persists on its current trajectory, it could regain its place among the top crops grown in the country.(10)
The legal tableau for cannabis is ever-evolving. The trend is towards more rights and access, so it’s possible that we’ll see new opportunities for hemp and hemp-based products.
Keeping an eye on regulatory, commercial, and cultural developments is recommended so you don’t miss any relevant changes.
Hemp has a long and colorful history. It’s been used since ancient times and has swayed with the ebbs and flows of society. As such, laws and cultural norms have changed along the way.
Today, hemp with no more than 0.3% THC is federally legal for certain uses with certain conditions applicable. Individual states have laws that allow for more or less hemp access and usage than what the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills stipulate.
And, the future for hemp continues to look bright!
The short answer is yes. Industrial hemp is federally legal in the US thanks to 2018 Farm Bill. However, it also falls under the purview of other federal agencies, which haven’t created a clear or consistent federal regulatory pathway. Additionally, states have their own rules and regulations on the growing and use of hemp and hemp-derived products like CBD oil.
Hemp was associated with marijuana and its “bad” effects. When marijuana was made illegal, hemp got swept up in the frenzy and also became illicit.
Maybe. Typically, states that allow you to grow marijuana will also let you grow hemp. There are lots of rules and restrictions. So it’s best to check your local laws.
Hemp is a mighty plant. Not only is it a source of cannabinoids like THC and CBD, it’s also an incredibly hardy, resourceful, and versatile plant.
This may get you wondering how great industrial hemp actually is — for the planet (and ultimately you!). Like:
Keep reading and you’ll find out!
Hemp, aka industrial hemp, is a member of the Cannabis sativa L. family of plants. It’s often distinguished as being the cannabis with no more than 0.3% THC.
You can find hemp growing on every continent except Antarctica — it’s adapted to a variety of temperate climates as its spread from its original home in Asia.
Different cultivars have different qualities. Some are favored for their fibers, others for their botanical extracts.
We weren’t kidding when we said hemp is versatile. 50,000 uses of hemp might be a stretch, but you get the idea.
And, you don’t have to look far or hard to see it in things all around you.
Through the comeback of legalization, “magic” of science and technology, and human creativity, hemp has countless potential. And, every day technology is discovering and implementing even more hemp innovations.
Here are just a few ways hemp’s returning to industry, households, construction, personal care, and more. It’s used as or in:
Hemp really is a wunderkind when it comes to showing the Earth some love. It helps take away some of the bad stuff that hurts our planet while simultaneously contributing a bunch of good stuff to this third rock from the Sun.
Why does hemp get such a high sustainability score? It could be because:
If you pit hemp head-to-head with alternative products and materials — well, let’s just say it more than holds its own! Check out these notable match-ups….
Organic hemp is hands down better than cotton. Hemp uses less resources to grow and harvest. Plus, it enhances the soil more than cotton.
Compared to cotton, hemp fabric is more durable, insulating, and absorbent. So items made from it should last longer and may use less material.
Hemp takes fewer resources to grow, requires less amount of time until the plants can be harvested to use, and has the ability to sequester more carbon from the atmosphere than trees.(7)
With hemp, you get way more bang for your buck.
Hemp bioplastics beat regular plastics by a mile when it comes to eco-friendliness. Hemp-based plastics are generally non-toxic and are biodegradable. They’re also stronger and cleaner and easier to make than petroleum plastics.
These combined characteristics mean that hemp ecoplastic is safer and more durable than oil-based plastics.
The hemp plant and hemp and CBD oil product makers can’t further the cause of sustainability alone. You’re a vital part of the ecosystem!
Growers and producers need your support. You can show it buy making purchasing decisions that underscore your commitment to helping Mother Nature.
Next time you’re shopping for clothing, home supplies, décor — whatever else you need to keep your life on track — consider buying goods made from or with hemp. And if CBD is on your list, opt for products made from organic, sustainably-farmed American hemp.
Hemp is a robust plant that uses relatively few resources to grow. As such, it’s highly sustainable and able to help heal the planet.
Because hemp is so eco-friendly and versatile, it’s been used throughout the world in innumerable ways for thousands of years. Thanks to new legalization, after decades of cannabis prohibition in the US, hemp is finding its way back into evermore products — and improving their sustainability profile. (Unfortunately, though, rebuilding a stable supply chain to keep up with consumer demand and raising mass awareness of hemp’s virtues will take time.)
By opting for hemp-based products, you can play a role in hemp’s environmental activism.
Yes! Hemp uses relatively few resources to grow, is a hardy and fast-developing plant, and helps clean pollutants from the surrounding area.
On its own, hemp is not a pollutant. Of course, farmers and product producers need to follow sustainable practices to avoid polluting the environment when growing and processing the plant. Also, if not properly managed, hemp can become invasive — essentially a weed that crowds out or chokes off less competitive plants.
Absolutely. As an organic material, hemp can break down into more elemental components. It takes about two weeks for the plant matter to decompose.
It’s a marvelous plant. Really, once we start digging into the history of hemp, what hemp is used for, and its environmental benefits — you’ll start marveling at it.
Our bias aside (We LOVE hemp!), this cannabis plant is sustainable, versatile, dynamic, and mighty. Its endured and thrived through the ages, since before recorded history. And it’s been used in everything from folk remedies and food to clothing and construction to energy production and environmental clean-up. Pretty incredible!
Hemp is a plant in the cannabis family. There are three varieties of hemp, subspecies of Cannabis sativa L, Cannabis indica, or Cannabis ruderalis.(1) (Most of the time, we’re talking about the sativa kind.)
Industrial hemp refers to the federally-legal version of Cannabis sativa L. It has no more than 0.3% THC by weight. But, usually, people just say “hemp” as a sort of shorthand for “industrial hemp.”
No, they’re two distinct — but related — things.
Hemp is the whole leafy green plant we defined above.
CBD stands for cannabidiol. It’s a cannabinoid, just one type of molecule or plant compound found in cannabis plants. CBD can be extracted from cannabis plants (hemp or marijuana) to create a highly-concentrated CBD oil.
Also, different hemp-based products come from different varieties or parts of the hemp plant. Each has its own unique characteristics which may be more or less desirable or useful for the final product.
For example, CBD oil is typically made from the flowers, leaves, stems, and stalks of Cannabis sativa L. Other hemp goods may be made from the seeds.
Maybe there aren’t that many uses — but once you start looking, it does seem like there are infinite hemp products possibilities.
People are quite an industrious breed, full of ingenuity. Hemp lends itself well to this innovative spirit of ours! It’s astounding how far humans have taken hemp.
Moreover, every part of the plant is usable. From the lowest, finest wisp of root to the tippy-topmost leaf, clever folks are producing all manner of hemp goods.(2,3,4)
Below is a round-up of confirmed ways hemp’s been used throughout history and in present day. It’s a bit of a laundry list — but you’re sure to be impressed and perhaps surprised.
Hemp and its byproducts — like CBD oil and hemp oil — have been leveraged as health and wellness aids since before formal medicine was a thing.(5)
Some of the earliest indications of this are in Chinese medical texts from about 1500 BCE. In the Chinese pharmacopeia, it mentions the “yin and yang” of cannabis — perhaps an allusion to the properties of both CBD and THC?
In the 1500s and 1600s, Western medicine starts taking notice of hemp (specifically, the flower with cannabinoids). Various publications touted hemp’s medicinal uses, going so far as to say hemp is essential to the herbalist’s kit.
Research catapulted forward starting in the late 1800s when scientist first identified cannabinoids. The ensuing decades saw the discovery, isolation, and synthetization of specific cannabinoids — including THC and CBD. More recently, the endocannabinoid system was discovered. Investigation into all aspect of cannabis and the ECS continue.
Here are some personal-care products that may be made from or with hemp components:
You’ll find CBD-oil and hemp-seed-oil variations of all the above items. Have fun going down that rabbit hole!
Eating and drinking hemp as a foodstuff is nothing new. Food and drink items made from hemp seed have probably been enjoyed for as long as hemp has been cultivated.
Hemp seeds come with or without the hull and can be used as-is or sprouted. They’re incredibly nutritious, and offer loads of health benefits. They really are a tasty way to get some of your daily load of omega 3s and 6s, protein, fiber, and more!
The FDA has given hemp seed the stamp of safety approval, classifying them as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). Hemp seeds may contain minute amounts of cannabinoids — but so little they aren’t a factor. (i.e., You won’t derive any benefits or effects from the cannabinoids.)
Here are some yummy forms of hemp for you to chew on:
Hemp seeds are also used in some animal feed, alcoholic beverages, and dietary supplements. You’ll often find hemp added to candies, baked goods, granola, and other processed foods. Suffice it to say — knowingly or not — you’ve probably consumed some hemp seeds at some point.
The first remnants of hemp cloth date back more than 10,000 years.(3) Hemp is ideal for textiles because the plant is naturally fibrous and makes fabrics that are exceptionally strong and resilient. Textile uses for hemp include:
This is sort of a catchall category — but still fascinating! Hemp can also be used to make:
One of the oldest examples of hemp used in construction hails from India. Hemp-infused plaster lining the Ellora Caves prevented decay for more than a millennium and a half.(6) Currently, hemp is finding its place in a wide array of building materials, such as:
Using hemp in these materials is a real win. Hemp is cheaper, more renewable, easier to procure, and healthier to work with than many alternatives. Plus, it has properties that make it: sun-proof, moisture-resistant, fire-retardant, pest-resistant, and anti-mold. It’s strong, lightweight, and breathable. If that’s not enough, incorporating hemp into building materials could cut energy consumption and pollution and sequester CO2 from the air!(4) Phew — hemp’s a power plant!
Before petrofuels, there was biofuel. These are basically fuels made from vegetation. They’ve come back into vogue in recent years — everything old is new again, right?
Biofuels is another area where hemp shines. Hemp seeds and stalks can be turned in biodiesel, alcohol fuel (e.g., ethanol), and biogas.
Hemp-derived fuels are a gamechanger. Obviously a more planet-friendly source than petroleum, hemp is more renewable and less harmful to the environment. These fuels are safer to handle and store, less flammable, and biodegradable.
Hemp’s not just good for us, it can give planet Earth some much needed TLC, too. Agriculturalists, conservationists, environmental restoration workers all make use of hemp’s wonderous abilities to protect and revitalize the air, soil, and water.
Superfund and disaster sites — like Chernobyl — use hemp in a process called bioremediation.(7) Bioremediation is the use of plants to remove contaminants. The plants draw the toxins — chemicals, radioactive waste, sewage, etc. — out of the environment. The bad stuff is stored in the plant and the once-poisoned area is purified.
Hemp can also be used to manage healthy land.
Have you considered planting hemp at your homestead?
There doesn’t seem to be one corner of home or industry untouched by hemp. This versatile, adaptable, durable plant has so many applications. It’s busy improving:
So, hemp, hemp hooray! Show this mighty plant its due respect — and go enjoy its countless uses.
Archaeological findings indicate that hemp was first used in textiles at least 12,000 years ago. Other evidence suggests that hemp was the first cultivated plants.(9)
Data suggests that hemp was originally used as food and medicine and as a textile, crafting, and building material.
No. Hemp is a type of cannabis plant; CBD is a compound found in cannabis plants. CBD oil can be extracted from certain parts of the hemp plant, not including the seeds.
There are oh-so-many approaches to healthcare, including plant-based medicine. If you're like many people, right about now you're scratching your head and wondering, "What is plant-based medicine, exactly?"
Ponder no more! In this post, we'll discuss:
Gary Richter, MS, DVM - named as "America's Favorite Veterinarian," by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) discusses natural medicine as part of his integrative care specialization, CBD and the benefits from "choosing from both plant-based and western medicine."
Plant-based medicine is a term used two ways:
As an approach to healthcare, plant-based medicine prioritizes and promotes plant medicines in the form of herbs, supplements, and functional nutrition. However, standard (aka Western) treatment modalities are still welcomed into the mix. Sometimes therapies like surgery and synthetic drugs are needed!
Your beauty care routines can take advantage of plant medicines, too. You’ll notice that nowadays botanical elements are popular in cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and other personal grooming and hygiene products.
Plant-based medicines can be administered in different ways — orally, topically, etc. The precise method depends on the medicine and what it’s being used for.
Both humans and other animals can, and do, benefit from plant medicine.
English is a vast and malleable language. We bring this up because you might hear other terms that relate to plant-based medicine. We want to make sure you have clarity around the words you come across.
Plant-based medicine may also be referred to as plant medicine, herbal medicine, or natural medicine. Sometimes, less formal implementations of plant medicine are called "traditional" or "folk" medicine.
There may or may not be nuances in these different phrases. It depends a great deal on the particular person or publication that's using them. The main thrust is that they all rally around a care protocol that uses shoots, flowers and leaves sprung from the earth instead of chemicals and synthetics cooked up in a lab.
Here's a quick overview of related medical approaches — all of which incorporate plant-based medicine as is appropriate for the patient:
We know — with documented certainty — that our ancestors used plants to address all sorts of physical and mental health issues. People on every continent harnessed the healing powers of their local herbs, flowers, leaves, and so on since before there were "doctors" and "medicines."
According to the U.S. Forest Service, there's proof that plants were used medicinally at least 60,000 years ago.(1) That's pretty mind-blowing!
There’s no one answer to this because each plant and each person is unique. Every flower and root has distinct chemistry and resulting therapeutic potential.
And no two people are alike. Everyone’s body has its own make-up — including an endocannabinoid system (ECS) as personalized as the loops and swirls of your fingerprints — and processes substances in its own way.
What better way to highlight the goodness of plant-based medicine than to provide some examples of medicinal plants and plant medicines?(2,3,4)
These are but a mere few of the thousands of medicinal plants. There are tons more, probably ones you haven't even heard of before!
And, keep in mind that a lot of plant medicines don't parade around using their original names. The common aspirin and mighty morphine originated from plant sources — willow bark and poppies, respectively.(5)
Plus, it's popular to combine multiple medicinal plants into special formulas targeted at specific outcomes, like weight loss or increased energy or focus.
Now, the different plants and compounds have varying amounts of research into the safety and efficacy. So you really have to investigate each medicinal plant or blend you're considering. Sadly, due to years of marijuana prohibition, the FDA has been slow to evaluate the medical benefits of the cannabis plant — despite widespread acceptance and legalization.
Both natural medicine and pharmaceutical research include how plants can support our health and play a role in the creation of new drugs. New medications sourced from or inspired by plants is constantly evolving. Stay tuned!
Plants are full of compounds like vitamins, minerals, and other phytochemicals — over 25,000 of them have been discovered to date!(6) These are what cause the antioxidant and other healthful responses mentioned above.
When you use plant medicines, the plant compounds interact with your tissues (e.g., skin), fluids (e.g., blood), and systems (e.g., circulatory), including your ednocannabinoid system (ECS). These phytocompounds then work with your body to execute some sort of reaction that results in a health benefit. Here’s an illustration of this incredible process:
One of the other bonuses of plant-based medicine is that treatments usually have fewer or less severe adverse reactions than manufactured drugs.
Because many of the base elements of plant medicines are also food items, we often have a lot more information on their toxicity (or lack thereof) and know their track records as allergens. And, as foods, many of the plants commonly used medicinally are recognized as safe by the FDA.
What else do plant-medicine advocates like about their botanical remedies? They appreciate that plant medicines:
While plant-based medicine may, in general, be gentler on your body than most pharmaceuticals, you still need to proceed with care.
Any substance — foods, beverages, medicines, make-up, particles in the air — can cause unintended adverse reactions like:
This is why it’s so important to keep your doctor in the loop. If you’re dealing with an everyday wellness issue or a more chronic or severe condition and are interested in natural options, it’s wise to discuss this with your care team.
They’ll be best able to assess your circumstances and let you know critical info about safety and efficacy. (Many plants — used as food or medicinally — are contraindicated for certain health conditions.) Your doc may also provide suggested plant medicines, doses, and resources.
It’s worth mentioning that many plants used medicinally are not FDA cleared or FDA approved for such purposes. Some plant-based or derived products are approved as foods, medicines, or dietary supplements; others aren’t.(7,8)
This doesn’t mean plant-based medicine is unsafe, ineffective, or untrustworthy. It just means that it hasn’t been regulated, yet. It also highlights the importance of securing reputable sources of information and anecdotal experiences.
Regulation is often driven by new research, shifting cultural norms, emerging health imperatives, commercial interest, technological advances, and so on. For better or worse, the laws and regulations surrounding plants used as medicine are ever-changing and not always entirely just.
Unfortunately, this cracks the door wide open for consumer confusion and creates a knowledge void. And it puts the responsibility to sort it all out squarely on your shoulders. However, awareness of the regulatory landscape is half the battle!
You’ll want to begin by assessing your current health and your wellness goals. This way, you’ll have a benchmark and target by which to gauge your success.
We always advise checking in with your healthcare provider prior to starting a new medical regimen or self-care overhaul. Especially for those who’re:
That said, so long as not contraindicated (best evaluated by a healthcare professional), adults may opt to dabble in the world of plant-based medicine. If this sounds like you, we suggest that you do your research before buying or using plant medicines. A little due diligence can go a long way!
Here are some quick tips to guide you:
It may take some trial and error to find natural solutions that work for you. So, have a little patience. It’s also a good idea to keep a diary or log of the plant medicines you’re trying and how you feel before and after usage. This will help you measure results.
Plant-based medicine uses botanicals — herbs, flowers, leaves, bark, etc. — as treatments to address health concerns.
While plant-centric, standard medical treatments are still used as needed and can be very helpful as an adjunct therapy. (For example, many people with chronic pain have reported reduced dependence on opioids after adding cannabis to their pain management regimen.)
Plant-based medicine has many potential benefits for your health. It can help you work towards specific goals — like losing weight or reducing your risk of heart disease — as well broader objectives like improving your overall health.
However, it's important to consult a doctor before taking any plant-based medicine to make sure it's safe for you. Just as with pharmaceuticals, there are risks associated with some plant-based medicine, such as the potential for adverse reactions from supplements and herbs.
If you're trying to address any health conditions or are looking for more natural ways to support your general well-being, consider incorporating plant medicine into your self-care protocol. Go ahead — nurture your “bee leaf” in plant power!
In the simplest terms, plant-based medicine is a healthcare approach that uses plants to prevent or treat disease or maintain or boost wellness.
Both “regular” and plant medicine approaches can be effective. But, plant medicines are more natural and tend to be associated with having fewer and less severe side effects. They may also be more affordable and more accessible than pharmaceuticals.
A resounding YES to that question! Using botanicals as medicine is probably as old as mankind and is the foundation of modern pharmaceutical products. You can find records dating back thousands of years that give evidence of plants — like cannabis! — being used for everything from cancer to labor pains. Furthermore, many of the manufactured drugs stocking the pharmacy shelves are derived from plants or synthesized to mimic plant mechanisms or chemistry. Lastly, there are formal training programs and accreditation for doctors, herbalists, naturopaths, medicinal botanists, and similar occupations.(9,10,11)
No! Other animals benefit from plant medicine as well, whether they’re wild critters consuming the biomass directly from nature’s buffet or in the form of pills, balms, or drops you give to your pets. In fact, all animals — with the exception of insects — have endocannabinoid systems.
"What is cannabis?" This may sound like a straightforward question. But when you get into it a little bit — you start to see that simplicity fray at the edges.
Why’s this? Because the terms cannabis, hemp, and marijuana are sometimes used differently by different people in different contexts, and not always accurately.
We’re here to lay it out for you so you know the proper definitions and usage for these terms. We’ll be sure to give you context to make it extra crystal clear. Just note that our focus in this post is primarily on the botanical and biological aspects of cannabis rather than regulatory or cultural differences.
There are literally hundreds of varieties of cannabis.(1) Cannabis is a member of the Cannabaceae family of plants, which includes more than 170 species. The three you’ll probably hear about most are Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis.
The one you’re here to learn about is Cannabis sativa, aka Cannabis sativa L. Marijuana and hemp are both subspecies of cannabis.(2)
Cannabis is a sturdy and herbaceous annual plant. You probably have an iconic image of a marijuana leaf floating in your mind’s eye. And while marijuana and hemp do look similar, they do have differentiating features.
Check out this comparison of the plants’ appearances:(3,4)
| Hemp Plants | Marijuana Plants | |
| Overall Appearance | Tall and slender, more scrawny tree-like | Stout and squat, more bush-like |
| Typical Max. Height | 20 ft. | 13 ft. |
| Growth Proximity | Several may grow close together | Tend to be spaced out |
| Stalks/Stems | Long and cane-like; few below top of plant | Many branches |
| Leaves | Fan shaped with fewer and skinnier “blades”; more sparse; predominantly at the top | Broader fan shaped with more and broader “blades”; more numerous and distributed |
| Flowers | Fewer; small, greenish yellow | More; tight, nuggety buds with small hairs or crystals |
Will the untrained eye be able to tell hemp and marijuana apart in the wild? Maybe not. But that’s only a concern if you’re a grower or producer. If you’re filling your cart with high-quality products from a reliable retailer — you’re all set (and this is just interesting trivia).
Cannabis is a hot topic most probably due to its cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are special and mighty plant compounds found in cannabis plants. These substances are the source of cannabis that enables it to support mental and physical health and wellness. The different collection of cannabinoids in a particular variety of cannabis contributes to how it can affect you and the outcomes it may produce.
There are over 140 identified cannabinoids. THC and CBD, two of only a handful of major cannabinoids, that are arguably the most well-known. But there are other up-and-comers from the ranks of the minor cannabinoids — like CBN, CBG, etc.
While cannabinoids come with a host of potential positive impacts for one’s well-being, there are significant differences. The biggest — or most noted — distinction is that THC is a psychoactive compound (It can get you high.) and CBD is not. Beyond the biology, there are legal and cultural differences, too.
Accompanying the cannabinoids are a stew of other plant compounds. Top billing goes to terpenes, flavonoids, and the many nutrients contained in our leafy green friends. These constituents have tons of health benefits in their own right but also can boost the effectiveness of cannabinoids. Go plant medicine!
Cannabis has a long, diverse, often misunderstood yet celebrated legacy — documentation of which goes back at least 10,000 years. Originating in China, cannabis is now found on most continents (anywhere it can be provided with a temperate climate).
During its long lifespan, cannabis — in its various, glorious forms — has been used in countless ways. Records indicate that it was the first cultivated crop. And that harvest was put to use in every conceivable area of life: food, textiles, construction, fuel, medicine, beauty care, land management….
As an adult recreational-, personal-, or medicinal-use plant, cannabis continues to be prepared and consumed in a multitude of manners. Here are several, just to give you an idea.
Formulations
Administration Methods
A mind-blowing array of words and phrases have evolved over the ages and pepper our current cannabis vernacular. Maybe this stems from the impressively varied usage and geographic spread of cannabis, marijuana, and hemp cultivation and consumption. After all, they’ve been around — they’re ancient and seemingly everywhere — growing like weeds.
But, words have meaning, which equates to power. This means the words we use matter. So let’s take a beat to underscore:
And, to be clear, when we say “cannabis,” we’re referring to Cannabis sativa L. Why are we harping on this point?
Because you’ll frequently see the words cannabis and marijuana used interchangeably and this isn’t strictly accurate. Cannabis can only be used in place of marijuana (or hemp) when speaking in generalities or intending less specificity.
It’s like saying all apples are fruits (true) versus all fruits are apples (not true). You can say “All marijuana is cannabis.” (true) but you can’t correctly say that “All cannabis is marijuana.” because it’s a false statement.
So, just as you can discuss the merits of apples and then also mention fruit in general, you can follow a similar pattern when writing or speaking about cannabis. For example:
✓ Correct:
X Incorrect:
The anatomy of CBD: Curious about the anatomy of a hemp plant or how it relates to CBD? Check out how the Government ranks it on their cannabis taxonomy chart.
As we’ve established, marijuana is one subspecies of cannabis.
There are hundreds, if not more, strains of marijuana. Some strains are actually hybrids of different cannabis subspecies — like a cross between sativa and indica. Each strain offers up its own characteristics.
So, what most notably makes marijuana marijuana? Probably its cannabinoid profile.
Most types of marijuana are considered to be higher in THC levels and lower in CBD level. THC is a psychoactive compound, meaning it’s capable of affecting your mind or altering mental and cognitive state. For this reason, marijuana’s more associated with feelings of being high or intoxicated.
There are exceptions. Certain strains of marijuana have been selectively bred to have lower THC and higher CBD levels. An example? Charlotte’s Webb (named after Charlotte Figi — look her up!) is a popular one.(5)
You know you’ve carved out a special place in society when you have as many nicknames and euphemisms as marijuana does. It has arrived!
Below are some of the more common — or beloved — monikers for marijuana and/or its products.
And this is just the tip of the leafy green iceberg. Pop culture sure has gotten creative with the street names and slang!
When it comes to the law, you might see the word marihuana, spelled with an h instead of a j.
This is an older spelling of marijuana. It’s common in legal contexts because it harkens back to the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. And because it was originally codified with that spelling, many governing bodies also adopted it for their statutory language.(6)
Another critical legal point about marijuana: The federal government and many state, local, and tribal jurisdictions define any cannabis with over 0.3% THC to be marijuana. Regardless of whether or not it’s botanically part of the marijuana or hemp subspecies.
Again, hemp plants are a subtype of cannabis plants.
Before hemp was widely used for medicinally, it was a darling of the textiles and food industries. The fibers were ideal for crafting durable rope and cloth. The seeds are incredibly nutritious and versatile.
At one time, hemp production was among America’s most important commercial agricultural endeavors. For a slew of reasons, though, it was halted and outlawed by the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act. The 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills reopened the door to hemp production in the US.
Since then, hemp has started to flourish once again!
Hemp is brimming with goodness: cannabinoids, terpenes, etc. It's most recognized for its relatively high CBD and low THC profile. Because it has smaller amounts of THC, it’s less likely to produce any kind of psychotropic reaction when consumed.
CBD actually lacks the chemical features to create a high. This is the reason lots of people prefer hemp-derived CBD over marijuana-derived CBD. It’s also why hemp CBD is associated with calming sensations.
Here again we have the opportunity to clear the word-soup air.
First, you might come across hemp referred to as industrial hemp. Industrial hemp typically serves one or more of the following purposes:
Next, is another area of very common confusion: hemp vs CBD and hemp oil vs CBD oil. These pairs of terms aren’t synonymous.
Cannabis is a hearty, versatile, and age-old species of plant. Marijuana and hemp are two different subspecies of cannabis.
Each variety — as well as individual strains of each subspecies — has its own profile of cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) and other plant substances. It’s this unique combination of phytocompounds that offers up the distinct effects and potential wellness outcomes consumers look for.
It’s important to understand the language of cannabis so you know what you’re buying and using. Being a savvy consumer will help keep you safe and on the right side of the law. It’ll also help ensure that you’re getting the most effective products for your needs and preferences.
Cannabis is a plant of the cannabis sativa l species. Marijuana and hemp are subspecies.
Yes. Each strain of cannabis has a unique profile of cannabinoids (and terpenes, flavonoids, and other phytochemicals). It’s these differences that give each strain its signature appearance, aroma, flavor, and effect.
While both are major cannabinoids with a host of potential positive impacts for health and wellness, there are significant differences. The biggest — or most noted — distinction is that THC is a psychoactive compound (It can get you high.) and CBD is not. Beyond the biology, there are legal and cultural differences, too.
Recently we tried out some comfortable new hemp masks. We’re happy to report they’re a great choice for shopping, working, or any time you might be around others.
We tried the new organic hemp face mask with cotton ties created by iLoveBad Organics and The Hemp Cooperative. Available in black, or a reversible black & white option, this simple mask ties around the back of the head. It’s easy to wear and easy to throw in the washer to clean (use a lingerie bag to keep it from getting tangled). But the differences go deeper than the deceptively simple appearance of this mask.
With no finite end to the pandemic in sight, frontline workers, from grocery clerks to delivery drivers, now wear masks all day. Many businesses require masks for entry. Most of us want to keep ourselves and other people safer too. But what about creating masks that are made from more sustainable fabrics?
That’s where hemp masks come in. Hemp fabric is extremely durable, and naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial too. There’s no proof this will provide additional protection from the COVID-19 virus. It does mean your mask will stay fresher during long sweaty wearing sessions.
We talked with Daniel Ong, half of the founding team behind iLoveBad Organics. Ong said although they’d been considering making hemp masks for some time, it was Brittanny, the other founder, who spurred them to move forward with this collaboration.
“Brittanny woke up to this palpable realization that masks are going to be the standard and that we should contribute towards the production to supply our friends at our local supermarkets,” he wrote in an email.
“Prior to the Pandemic, I had small talks with my twin brother Dany (a co-founding member of The Hemp Co-op) about the idea of a mask,” Ong recalled. “Shortly after the pandemic took off, he made a prototype, showed it to me and proceeded to go into production with it.”
“We genuinely feel that we’re all in this together.”Daniel Ong, cofounder of iLoveBad Organics
Originally, Ong became interested in creating hemp masks both out of a desire to create a “weird” hemp fashion aesthetic, and to reduce their exposure to the bad odors of urban life in Los Angeles.
When they realized that the front line workers who supported them needed better masks, they agreed to collaborate with The Hemp Cooperative (a clothing brand cleverly known by theit acronym “THC”).
“With THC’s help, we made a couple refinements to their design to fit our personal preferences and within a few days, we started production.”
Their hemp masks are manufactured in the U.S. from organically-grown hemp that’s carefully sourced from China. The seamstresses they work with are largely single mothers or senior citizens, and the brands are paying higher than normal wages to help them make it through the pandemic.
“A number of frontline supermarket employees have reached out stating that the masks were perfect for their needs given that they have to wear it for longer periods of time,” Ong told us. “Hearing it directly from them was pretty awesome.”
The iLoveBad & THC masks sell for $21 with free shipping. They sent us a sample to try out. Our Editor wore the mask multiple times while getting outdoor exercise or doing simple chores out of the house.
The masks tie around the back of the neck and the back of the head, unlike the more common design which loops over the ears. This may be more comfortable for longer wear. If you have long hair, you can loop the upper ties over a pony tail, which feels very secure. For anyone having trouble adjusting to the masks, Ong sent us a graphic which shows how to use them properly.
While these hemp masks aren’t medical-grade personal protective equipment, current CDC guidance suggests that even wearing cloth masks can help reduce transmission of the novel coronavirus.
iLoveBad & THC make their hemp masks are made with two layers of fabric. A pocket in between allows the wearer to add their own filter. Popular disposable filter options include paper towels and coffee filters. Another option that’s also washable is a fabric called non-woven polypropylene. Commonly found in reusable shopping bags and conference swag bags, this fabric is washable and closer to medial-grade N95 materials.
Hemp fabric is extremely durable, and tends to grow more comfortable with repeated washing. It also typically requires fewer chemicals during manufacture (and while the hemp is grown, as well). iLoveBad make their fashion even more sustainable by contributing a portion of their profits towards valuable causes. These include ending animal abuse and supporting orphans in Mexico. For Ong, it’s important to give back to the community anytime, but especially during the pandemic.
One other clothing brand, Hemp Black, also recently started making hemp masks. Many CBD brands have started giving away free hand sanitizer, another way to be a part of the solution. We love seeing the industry step up to find ways to be leaders in corporate responsibility during this time. However, Ong stressed that the hemp industry isn’t special here: everyone has a part to play.
“We genuinely feel that we’re all in this together and we all will respond accordingly when the timing is right,” he wrote.
He hopes the hemp industry can find a way to sustain itself through this rocky economy. Like us, he believes in the potential of hemp to change the world.
“If there is one responsibility that hemp brands should take on, perhaps it’s purely to stay in business during these times so that we may continue the momentum that the hemp community had powered over this past decade.”
Authored By: Kit O’Connell, Editor in Chief, Ministry of Hemp
Copyright © 2024 Green Bee Life | Green Bee LLC, is a subsidiary of Green Life Media, Inc., a full service creative agency and production company.
