Hemp Defined
The Hemp Plant
The hemp plant is harvested for its fibers, seed, seed meal and seed oil.
Hemp is a distinct variety of the plant species cannabis sativa L. Due to the similar leaf shape, hemp is frequently confused with marijuana. Although both plants are from the species cannabis, hemp contains virtually no THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in marijuana.
Hemp cannot be used as a drug because it produces virtually no THC
(less than 1%), where marijuana produces between 5 - 20 % THC.
Cannabis flower botanical drawing, from 1887.
- The SEED is an excellent food and source of oil for cooking
and for lubrication. It is cholesterol-lowering and full of
protein. It can also be used to make soaps, cosmetics and
shampoos.
make rope or woven into durable, high quality textiles. The
textiles in turn are used to make clothes, sails, linens and fabrics
of all types. The original Levi jeans were made out of hemp.
The cannabis hemp fibre produces the strongest long-lasting
natural fibres in the plant kingdom.
removed, are 77% cellulose. These can be used to make
dioxin-free paper, packing materials, non-toxic paints and
lacquers, industrial fabrication materials such as plastics and
chipboard and even bricks. Waste materials are completely
biodegradable.
ameliorant. They can also be eaten as a salad vegetable.
reclamation, preventing erosion and mudslides. Boiled and
made into a poultice, cannabis roots can ease the pain of
arthritis and sprains.
Biomass for the production of pollution-free fuels, through a
simple process of controlled decomposition called pyrolysis.
These fuels can be used to power everything from generators
and domestic heating to motor cars and jet planes.
Hemp Agronomic Characteristics
Hemp is a bast fiber plant similar to flax, kenaf, jute and ramie. Long slender primary fibers on the outer portion of the stalk characterize bast fiber plants. An annual plant that grows from seed, hemp can be grown on a range of soils, but tends to grow best on land that produces high yields of corn. The soil must be well drained, rich in nitrogen, and non-acidic. Hemp requires limited pesticides because is grows so quickly and attracts few pests. In northern latitudes, hemp is usually planted between early March and late May. Hemp averages between 2 - 4 meters in height in about four months of growth.
Hemp crops are harvested at different times for different hemp products.
Harvesting stalks for high quality primary fiber occurs as soon as the crop is in flower.
Harvesting for seed production and stalks occurs 4 - 6 weeks after flowering, when male plants begin to shed pollen.
Primary Hemp Fiber
The valued primary fibers are contained around the hollow, woody core of the hemp stalk. These long, strong fibers that grow the length of the hemp stalk are considered bast fibers Hemp fiber possesses properties similar to other bast fibers (flax, kenaf, jute and ramie) and excels in fiber length, strength, durability, absorbency, antimildew and antimicrobial properties.
Once a hemp crop has matured and been harvested, hemp primary fibers are separated from the hemp stalk through the "retting" process. For "dew retting", the cut stalks are left in the field for several weeks to allow natural humidity and bacteria to decompose the fiber-binding pectins. Other ways to separate the fiber from the core are: water retting, warm water retting and chemical retting. When the retting process is complete, the fibers are readily separated from the core, and processed for specific products.
Primary fibers are long-staple length fibers, averaging 8 ” (20 cm) in length. These hemp fibers can be spun and woven to a fine, crisp, linen-like fabric and used for apparel textiles, home furnishing textiles and carpeting. Antimildew and antimicrobial properties make them very suitable for sails, tarps, awnings, and floor coverings.
Primary fibers can be cut to shorter staple lengths to accommodate a variety of spinning systems. Hemp fiber blended with wool, cotton, linen or other fibers, adds strength, durability, absorbency and breathability, making hemp-blended fabrics cool and comfortable to wear and touch.
The Qualities of Primary Hemp Fiber
structure hemp under microscope 125 x magnification
length average 8 ” (20 cm) in length,
4 - 6 ”, 1 - 2 ” and special lengths available upon request
luster high
strength high
elasticity low, can be treated to improve
heat conductivity high, very cool fabric to wear
absorbency high
cleanliness and washability high reaction to bleaches will weaken,
use with care reaction to heat will scorch and burn
effect of mildew highly resistant
effect of light & outdoor exposure very resistant
reaction to alkalies not affected
reaction to acids easily affected
affinity for dyes very good
Core Fiber
Core fiber is derived from the sturdy, wood-like hollow stalk of the hemp plant. Sometimes referred to as "hurds", it is up to twice as absorbent as wood shavings, making it an excellent animal bedding and garden mulch. It can be easily blended with lime to create a strong yet lightweight concrete or plaster. Its high cellulose content means it can be applied to the manufacturing of plastics. Like primary fiber, it is biodegradable and possesses antimildew and antimicrobial properties.
U.S. Legal Definitions
Custom Regulations of the United States, Official US Custom House Guide, 1987. sec. 302.58 --CR-360. MARIJUANA STATUTORY PROVISIONS
Controlled Substances Act, Food & Drug Admin (1970)
Chapt. 22, Sec. 802-15 Definitions:
(a) MARIHUANA. The term 'marihuana' means all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa (L.), whether growing or not, the seeds thereof, the resin extracted from any part of such plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture or or preparation of such plant, its seeds or resin;
BUT SHALL NOT INCLUDE the mature stalks of such plant,. fiber provided from such stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of such plant., any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture or preparation of such mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber. oil or cake or the sterilized seed of such plant. which is incapable of germination.....
Resources:
http://www.naihc.org/hemp_information/hemp_defined.html
....... love can and will make you do crazy ass things, like doing a charity run in r undies on a cold gloomy seattle morning in Feb. :) 
all about hemp.pdf [1.78Mb]
