Hemp Around the World: The Globalization of Hemp

May 17, 2021

Topics Covered

What Countries Grow Hemp?
How Is Hemp Used Around the World?
Interested in Adding Hemp to Your Diet? Start Here.

In 2018, the United States legalized the industrial production of hemp through the Farm Bill after virtually outlawing it with the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Before this time, hemp was a legal and highly prized crop throughout the United States. Today, the U.S. is the third largest producer of hemp in the world. To be legal under federal law, hemp must contain no more than 0.3% THC (the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana).

While hemp has a complicated history in the U.S., it has long been used for a variety of purposes throughout the world. For example, the hemp plant has been cultivated in China for more than 6,000 years. Today, hemp is used in a variety of ways throughout the world, including right here in the United States.

From construction materials to biofuel, hemp is being used to make products, boost health and wellness, and even clean up the environment. Want to learn more? Keep reading to learn about the global uses of hemp.

What Countries Grow Hemp?

Hemp, a species of the Cannabis Sativa plant, can be grown in a number of environments. Ideally, hemp is grown in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral soil (ph 6.0 to 7.0). A hardy plant, hemp can be grown in a range of climates – which means that it can be grown almost anywhere in the world.

Hemp is currently grown in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Hemp-producing countries include:

China
Romania
Colombia
Ecuador
Canada
South Africa
Australia
United States
Lithuania
Germany
Malawi

These countries (and others) grow hemp for a variety of purposes, from fiber for rope and cloth to food products like hemp seed oil to CBD. Each country has its own laws regarding industrial hemp production, with some countries (like Ecuador) allowing hemp with as much as 1% THC to be cultivated, while others (like Lithuania) limiting THC content to 0.2%.

The global market for hemp is valued at $5.56 billion, and is projected to grow to as much as $27.72 billion by 2028. The top hemp-growing countries include:

China
Canada
United States
France
Chile
North Korea

Importantly, because of the different standards for growing hemp around the world, there are strict rules about importing hemp seeds and plants into the United States. While hemp products can be imported to the U.S., they may not comply with American laws and regulations surrounding hemp, such as THC content.

Historical Uses of Hemp

Hemp’s historical significance in China and Europe, including its cultivation for cloth and textiles.

Traditional Uses of Hemp

The various traditional uses of hemp, such as in cloth, rope, paper, medicines, food, inks, paints, varnishes, currency, and canvas.

Innovative Uses of Hemp Today

Bioremediation

The use of hemp to clean contaminated soil, particularly in places like Chernobyl, due to its ability to absorb harmful chemicals and facilitate bioremediation.

Biofuel

Hemp’s application as a form of biofuel, specifically in the UK, and the process involved in making cellulosic ethanol from the hemp plant.

Biodegradable Plastic

The development and increasing global popularity of 100% biodegradable hemp plastic, highlighting its strength, versatility, non-toxic nature, and biodegradability.

Hempcrete

The rising popularity of hempcrete as a building material in various countries, including the UK, due to its eco-friendliness and suitability for construction and insulation.

Hemp Wood

The emergence of hemp wood as an alternative building material, its affordability, faster growth compared to trees, and potential to alleviate demand for traditional lumber.

Hemp Nanosheets

The development of carbon nanosheets from hemp fibers in Canada, and their potential applications as electrodes for supercapacitors, offering enhanced energy storage capabilities at a lower cost.

Traditional and Ongoing Uses of Hemp

The enduring traditional uses of hemp, such as fiber for clothing, hemp seeds and oil for nutrition, and extraction of cannabidiol (CBD) for health and wellness products.

Future Prospects of Hemp

Highlighting hemp’s environmental benefits, nutritional value, and potential for innovation, emphasizing its role in the future both in the United States and globally.

By incorporating these subheadings, the content will be more organized and easier for readers to follow.

Interested in Adding Hemp to Your Diet? Start Here.

There is a lot to like about hemp – particularly when it comes to the potential health benefits of this plant and its compounds. If you want to give hemp a try, CBD products may be a great option for you.

When purchasing CBD, ensure to choose products made from hemp grown in the United States to guarantee that it contains no more than 0.3% THC and is fully legal. Additionally, it is essential to only buy CBD products that have undergone independent testing by a third-party laboratory, with the results readily available for your review, as hemp can absorb harmful chemicals from the soil. That way, you can check for the presence of contaminants as well as the levels of THC and CBD in the product.

At Green Wellness Life, we aren’t doctors and cannot diagnose or treat any condition. Instead, we offer our own insight into CBD as well as the latest scientific research. We only sell CBD products made from American industrial hemp that have been independently tested for quality and purity.

Ready to get started? We’re here to help. Call at (866) 244-4223 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, or email us at any time for questions or simply to learn more about CBD.

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