hemp

Hemp: The Amazing PlantThere are many different varieties of the cannabis plant. Hemp, also called industrial hemp, refers to the non-psychoactive (less than .3% THC) varieties of Cannabis Sativa L. Hemp has a plethora of uses as it can be grown as a renewable source for raw materials that may be incorporated into thousands of products. Health foods, organic body care as well as nutraceuticals are made with its seeds and flowers. The fibers and stalks are utilized in the production of hemp clothing, construction materials, paper, biofuel, plastic composites, to name a few. This plant sets itself apart from other crops because it cleans the soil. Phytoremediation is the process by which plants are used to clean the ground by absorbing heavy metals and other toxic substances. The best example of this is the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. In 1986, nuclear waste was spread across much of Eastern Europe rendering land unusable. Hemp was the plant of choice to help clean and remediate the soil.