5 Benefits of Hemp in the Environment

Hemp in the Environment – Hemp has been a vital commodity for centuries being grown for things like textiles, medicines, foods, and more. But hemp’s benefit goes well beyond these everyday applications. In fact, growing hemp may actually improve our environment!

Today, we celebrate Earth Day with a shoutout to our favorite earth-loving herb: hemp.

5 Ways Hemp Impacts the Environment

Deters Pests Naturally

Excessive pesticide use is problematic when toxins can seep into the soil and water supply.  Fortunately, hemp cultivation does not require pesticide use, unlike other common crops like cotton and flax. In fact, hemp naturally deters pests, which may be due to its pungent aroma and potentially intoxicating chemicals. This makes hemp a wonderfully safe crop to grow for consumers of all species.

Improves Soil Fertility

Hemp grows well in many environments, stretching deep into the soil to protect it from erosion and infuse it with valuable microbial content. It can also pull nitrogen from the air, which it uses to boost tissue production and plant durability. Once harvested, farmers can turn the waste back into the soil for better soil fertility season after season.

Cleans Toxins

Hemp has another superpower called phytoremediation. Basically, this means that hemp can pull toxins from the air and soil to store in its branches and leaves. In fact, hemp was one of the best performing phyto-remediative plants tested at the Chornobyl disaster site. Specifically, researchers found that hemp cultivation significantly reduced heavy metals in the soil while maintaining exceptionally strong fiber integrity.

Conserves Water

Another benefit of hemp in the environment is its ability to conserve water. Notably, hemp can help conserve water in a few different ways. First, its deep roots help protect the soil to prevent erosion and evaporation, thus allowing more water to reach important waterways. Second, hemp is heat and drought tolerant, meaning it doesn’t require much water to thrive. In doing, growing hemp instead of water-heavy plants like cotton can help us preserve this valuable commodity.  

Multiple Uses

Hemp has countless applications like food, fiber, biofuel, and building material. Following the 2018 Farm Bill, farmers can also grow hemp for cannabinoid extraction, which may hold unknown therapeutic potential, as well. For example, some suggest that cannabinoid consumption could help regulate mammalian stress responses by interacting with the Endocannabinoid System.

Unique Considerations Regarding Cannabinoid Hemp

Obviously, hemp cultivation is pretty great for the environment, but cannabinoid hemp holds some unique considerations. Basically, because cannabinoid hemp looks identical to its illicit cousin, farmers must adhere to strict protocol when growing it. For example, farmers may not repurpose hemp waste though some areas allow farmers to till it into the ground. Though the wasted hemp fibers are good for the soil, there are surely more valuable applications.

Another thing to consider about cannabinoid hemp in the environment is the importance of growing in clean areas. Because it is a phytoremediator, hemp grown on contaminated soil will also become contaminated with the toxins it extracts. As such, farmers should always test their soil before growing any hemp for consumption.

Final Thoughts About Hemp in the Environment

We love our planet and proudly protect it through our hemp farming practices. As such, we test our soil before sewing our first seeds to ensure that the crops we produce are clean and our plants healthy. What’s more, we only add nutrients that are necessary for optimal cannabinoid production to bring you the best outsourced CBD products on the market. We manage the entire hemp supply chain from seed to distribution. All you have to do is market and sell it as your own.

Contact us to learn more about our CBD hemp products or view our virtual catalog now.