4 Myths About Hemp Debunked

HEMP presents as a wonderful crop that not only enhances water retention and carbon sequestration but significantly contributes to the wellbeing of our climate.

Farmers and growers that are interested in growing Industrial Grade Hemp are often left feeling confused and discouraged.

This is generally driven by the fact that every state regulates this amazing plant in different ways. In saying that, the Hemp Farming application process is rather simple and Urban Green Farms can help make it easier.

Hemp Food & Fibre Benefits

• 4 times stronger than softwood tree fibres.

• 1 tonne grown in 120 days is equivalent to a Radiata Pine Tree grown in 20 years.

• Stronger and lighter than timber, thus reducing transportation drag, weight and potential workplace injuries.

• Can be used for pulp, boards, construction, textiles, cotton, paper, animal feedstock, shelter and bedding.

• Reduces reliance on mining of sand, rock, gypsums, limestones by 30%

• 85% less pesticides and chemical inputs required.

• Grows on almost all soils.

• Thrives in density, reducing acreage footprint.

• UV and mould resistant.

Hemp Environmental Benefits

• Produces more oxygen than any other plant on Earth.

• Hemp is one of the fastest CO2-to-biomass conversion tools available, more efficient than any other commercial crop or agroforestry.

• Biodegradable (1000x times faster than plastic).

• Reduces water consumption by 40% comparatively to Cotton.

• Can be converted to environmentally friendly biofuels

• 100% zero waste. Residual converts back to soil in 8 weeks.

• Feeds soil biology to bio-remediate soils from toxins and pollutants.

• Highly absorbent - powder for fuel spill clean ups.

• Sequesters more atmospheric pollutants than bamboo and uses much less water.

• Transferable microbes from soil restores the natural balance of all living organisms.

Myth 1: Hemp and Marijuana are the same thing

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Hemp and marijuana are both varieties of cannabis that developed due to selective breeding. Although the two look and smell alike, they are structurally and chemically different. The most noteworthy distinction between the two is the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level. THC is the chemical responsible for making users high; hemp contains virtually no or little traces of THC, while marijuana contains anywhere from 10% up to 30%. Essentially, marijuana is cannabis that induces a mind-altering high and leaves users feeling euphoric and dazed. Hemp, on the contrary, has no such intoxicating effects.

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Myth 2: All hemp strains are the same

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Just like marijuana, hemp belongs to the Cannabis sativa plant family. Also just like marijuana, there are dozens of distinct strains/cultivars of hemp, each of which possess different cannabinoid levels and different levels of CBD.

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Myth 3: Hemp requires no irrigation or Mineral Inputs

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Hemp plants in fact need plenty of water, especially during the first six weeks after germination. Therefore, the plant's reputation as a good dry-land crop (meaning it can be grown without irrigation) isn’t accurate. That being said, as long as hemp receives enough water and bio-stimulants like Happy Soils in the first six weeks, it can indeed survive prolonged periods of drought.

However, it grows taller and thicker when watered, which is why irrigation is still recommended. As for the myth about hemp not needing mineral inputs to grow, there is a little truth to that. Since these plants naturally grow tall and close to one another, it’s more difficult for insects to infiltrate. This means the plant doesn’t require as much input use as other outdoor crops.

Myth 4: Hemp will not solve all the world’s problems

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It’s true that hemp is a very versatile plant. It can be used for a variety of things, from textiles and construction to nutrition and agriculture. Since hemp can be farmed to create sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives for everyday items like cotton and plastics, it’s easy to conclude that hemp is what the world needs to solve all its problems.

For example, growing hemp instead of cotton in some areas would be a huge step forward, but it’s just not plausible to replace all of our current practices with hemp-based alternatives.

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