Uses for Industrial Hemp

In a recent blog, Ms. Mary Staffing covered the differences between industrial hemp and cannabis and explained that the term “industrial hemp” is used to refer to mainly the stalk part of the Cannabis Sativa plant while “cannabis” (marijuana) is used to refer to the “buds” or flowery part of the plant that people smoke for medicinal reasons and recreational purposes. We also pointed out that industrial hemp has a substantially lower amount of THC (the active ingredient in the plant that causes users to feel “high) than cannabis leaves and buds.

If you’re a marijuana budtender, studying to become one or are currently looking for employment as a budtender, you may be very knowledgeable about industrial hemp and cannabis flowers/buds, but if you don’t have much experience in this hugely popular and quickly growing field, then you may not know what industrial hemp is used for in everyday life. Let’s take a look at some of the main uses for this sturdy plant with a stalk similar to bamboo.

Clothing and Textiles

Since 2,000 B.C., hemp has been used for textiles and samples of hemp fabric were first noted in China around that time. Hemp has a reputation for being a tough material, but it has been mixed with silk to produce luxurious lingerie, and when in its roughest form, hemp is ideal for making durable apparel like jeans, shoes and other sturdy outerwear.

Paper

For approximately 2,000 years, hemp has been used to make paper; hemp is a quickly renewable and sustainable source of pulp for paper. Due to the small number and old age of equipment used to process hemp paper, hemp pulp is much more expensive than wood pulp.

Building Supplies

In addition to being made into clothing and paper products, hemp is also used to make certain supplies needed for building such insulation, pressboard and fiberboard. Industrial hemp is also used to make something called “hempcrete,” which is a stronger, lighter and more environmentally friendly version of concrete.

Plastics

Hemp is also a viable feedstock for plastics production, and in the early 1940’s, the Ford Motor Company manufactured a prototype car made out of soy plastic and hemp. In recent years, hemp has been made into shower curtain liners, CD and DVD cases and common plastic products we use on a regular basis.

To learn more about industrial hemp and cannabis, check back to the Ms. Mary Staffing blog, and if you’re interested in learning more about how to get started as a budtender, please contact Ms. Mary Staffing today to speak to one of our staffing specialists.