Everything you didn't know about hemp

Hemp is the French term that translates the Latin Cannabis. In common parlance, hemp is mistaken for cannabis, with hemp referring to the non-psychoactive plant as opposed to cannabis, which contains higher doses of THC. Visit industrial hemp authorized in France is a plant containing less than 0.3% of THC, and only 20 species are authorized for cultivation.

Read more: 10 things you didn't know about medical marijuana

France is Europe's leading producer of industrial hemp, accounting for half of all production, and supplies the construction, textile, food and cosmetics industries with hemp's many properties. Everything can be used, from seeds to leaves and roots.

The applications are numerous. In bulk: insulation, textile fiber, technical textiles, paper, building materials, medicines, food, oil, flour, etc...

Hemp fibers are so strong that they require special machinery to harvest and manufacture them.

Interesting facts about hemp

• Hemp is the longest, softest and strongest fiber known to man.
• Fabrics derived from hemp are more insulating, softer, cooler and resistant than cotton.
• Hemp is grown since 2800 BC. in China.
• It was cultivated by historical figures such as Thomas Jefferson and George Washington (first president of the USA).
• 1 hectare of hemp produces as much fiber as 4 hectares of trees and 2 hectares of cotton.
• Hemp paper is stronger and doesn't need acid or chlorine to be produced. It can be recycled 7 times.
• Hemp particleboard is twice as strong as wood and holds nails more firmly.
• Hemp is the most versatile of all plants. In practice, any product can be obtained from hemp.
• The working documents for the U.S. Declaration of Independence and its first Constitution were written on hemp paper.
• Gutenberg's first Bibles were printed on hemp paper.
• Any object made of wood or plastic could be made of hemp, making it completely biodegradable.
• In 1941, Henry Ford built a car whose bodywork was entirely made of hemp, and ran on hemp fuel.
• 90% sails and ropes made from hemp between the 5th century BC and the end of the 19th century.
• L’hemp seed oil contains more essential oils than any other plant known today. Until the early 20th century, it was used to fuel oil lamps all over the world.
• Parts of the Bugatti Veyron's interior are made from hemp, replacing fiberglass which is less strong, heavier and less durable than hemp.