The Environmental Benefits of Hemp

After many years of prohibition, hemp is quickly becoming one of the most vital commodities in the world in regards to providing natural benefits to consumers. As governments in major countries acquiesce to legalization, this brings a heightened level of opportunity for extensive research, development, and innovation within the legal hemp sphere. Hemp-derived products are everywhere these days, and for good reason, as people all over the planet are starting to fall in line with a more health-conscious way of life. 

However, substantial benefits for consumers aren't the only factors in play here. When it comes to hemp and sustainability, perhaps the greatest thing about this natural plant is that it has been shown to also provide substantial benefits for the environment. 

Here at botaniCo, one of our goals is to provide educational resources for those interested in the cannabis/hemp market. Whether you're a budding business, or simply a conscientious consumer, we're here to help illuminate the incredible possibilities of legal hemp and cannabis. 

Keep reading as we talk about just some of the known environmental benefits associated with the cultivation and manufacturing of hemp. 

What is 'Industrial' Hemp?

First, let's talk about the definition of industrial hemp. Industrial hemp comes from the Cannabis sativa species, has been utilized for consumer products, and is a natural source of fiber and oilseed for 30+ countries worldwide. According to the USDA:

By definition, industrial hemp is high in fiber and low in active tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that makes some cannabis varieties a valued drug. Canada and the European Union maintain this distinction by strictly regulating the THC levels of industrial hemp, requiring it to be less than 0.3 percent, compared to THC levels of between 3 to 30 percent in marijuana.

Since 2018, when the Hemp Bill was passed, the United States has made tremendous strides by allowing more research, which is leading to more growth and innovation within this burgeoning field. 

So, now that we've covered the basics - let's talk about some environmental benefits of hemp!

Hemp, Global Warming & Carbon Sequestration

Carbon sequestration is the process that includes the capture and storage of carbon dioxide found in the atmosphere. With the recent focus on the effects of climate change and global warming coming into the mainstream, and because hemp production has been shown to be "carbon negative", the widespread implementation of industrial hemp surely has enormous potential to be a prime benefit for the environment. 

Hemp as an Effective Alternative Biofuel

Next, we've got another potential benefit that is also closely related to the efforts thwarting the damage to our atmosphere. Studies have shown that gasoline created from hemp is 85% greener than petroleum. Hemp biofuel made only from hemp seed oil has been researched to be an effective biodiesel, with a 97% conversion rate! 

Another great thing about this environmental benefit of hemp is that the rest of the plant doesn't go to waste, in fact, the entirety of the rest of the hemp plant can also be made into ethanol or methanol. 

Hemp, Soil Enrichment & Regenerative Agriculture

Finally, another important potential benefit of utilizing hemp is its standing as a mainstay sustainable crop in regenerative agriculture (farming and grazing practices that rebuild soil health). Because hemp has been shown to return approximately 60% of nutrients back into the soil it's grown in, this is highly attractive for cultivators and for folks that are concerned with the overall quality of our soil, in general. 

The Future of Hemp & the Environment

In conclusion, the above-mentioned environmental benefits of hemp are far from the only ones that have been studied. As more research is funded, we hope to see more reliance on hemp to naturally fill many of our planetary needs, in the 21st century and beyond. 

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