Harvey: The full potential of hemp has yet to be unleashed

Posted on April 17, 2014

Originally Posted on Emerald Media via UWIRE

It’s not uncommon to find products at your local market made with hemp. Yes, hemp cereal and hemp lotion are actually made with cannabis.

But don’t get too excited because this type of cannabis won’t get you high. Hemp and marijuana are different varieties of the same species, cannabis sativa.

Marijuana is the variety of cannabis that carries high levels of THC, the chemical that causes psychoactive effects when consumed. Hemp, on the other hand, carries very low levels of THC (typically less than 1 percent) and is instead cultivated for its immensely versatile seeds, oil and fiber. Hemp is said to harbor several health and environmental benefits, which is why it is often used in food, body care products, clothing and more.

Because of the misunderstandings that have resulted from lack of sufficient research on the cultivation of hemp and marijuana, it is illegal to grow in most states.

Only nine states in the U.S. allow farmers to grow hemp under strict conditions — including California, Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia and Oregon. These states’ policies differ, but typically include requiring state licensing to grow hemp, legally redefining industrial hemp and promoting research and development of markets for industrial hemp.

Just recently in February, President Obama signed a Farm Bill, legalizing the production of hemp for research purposes in these states, according to a press release by the Vote Hemp organization.

Hemp is a plant with many uses, giving it the potential to become a powerful cash crop. Its seeds have high amounts of protein and two essential fatty acids, Omega-3 and Omega-6 — making them comparable to sunflower seeds.

They can be used whole in foods such as granola or corn chips, crushed to extract the oil for sauces or personal care products, or even turned into a powder used for baking or protein drinks. If it is ever produced in mass amounts, it also has the potential to be used paints, solvents, binders, polymer plastics and other products containing oil.

The hemp stalk is incredibly versatile as well. Prized for its strong fibers, it can be used for everything from clothing and paper to animal bedding and house insulation.

In Eugene, there are several places you can go to shop for hemp products. The closest to campus is Jambo World Crafts, near the corner of 13th Avenue and Alder Street. This store offers many options for hemp products, including lotion, clothes, purses, jewelry and more, said Taunia Reed, a Jambo employee.

Another great place is the Saturday Market on the corner of Broadway and Oak Street, which has several vendors that sell all sorts of hemp products. For hemp food products, check out your local natural foods market.

You may remember making hemp friendship bracelets in middle school, but little did you know that one day people will be fighting to use this same plant as a natural replacement for fossil fuels. The full potential of hemp has yet to be unleashed, but there’s no doubt that this cash crop could be revolutionary.

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