Hemp is a variety of the plant Cannabis sativa L. grown for its fibres, seeds and flower heads, with a THC content below 0.3 %. It is precisely the low THC content that distinguishes industrial hemp from cannabis classified as a narcotic — hemp causes no intoxication. It is used for textiles, food, building materials and cannabinoids.
What is hemp?
Hemp (industrial hemp) is Cannabis sativa L. grown in varieties with a very low THC content. It is one of humanity's oldest cultivated plants (see the history of hemp) and one of the most versatile: the stalk provides fibre, the seed provides nutrition, and the flower heads contain cannabinoids such as CBDA.
Is hemp the same thing as cannabis or marijuana?
Botanically they belong to the same species, but they are different varieties with different purposes and chemistry. Industrial hemp has THC below 0.3 % and is grown for fibre, seed and cannabinoids. What is colloquially called marijuana refers to varieties with a high THC content, grown for their intoxicating effect. The difference is THC.
Is hemp dangerous, or a narcotic?
Industrial hemp below 0.3 % THC causes no intoxication and is legal as a raw material in the EU. It is the THC content that determines the legal status — more in Is CBD legal in Sweden?.
What is hemp used for?
Fibre (textiles, rope, building materials), seeds (food, see the nutritional profile of hemp) and flower heads (cannabinoids, see what is raw hemp). Few crops are put to use in so many ways.
Does hemp contain THC?
Yes, but in very low concentrations — below 0.3 % in approved industrial hemp, too low to cause intoxication. The dominant cannabinoids are non-psychoactive (see cannabinoids explained).
Frequently asked questions
What is hemp? A variety of Cannabis sativa L. with THC below 0.3 %, grown for fibre, seeds and cannabinoids.
Is hemp the same as marijuana? The same species, but different varieties; hemp is low in THC and causes no intoxication.
Is hemp a narcotic? No, industrial hemp below 0.3 % THC is legal as a raw material in the EU.
Sources: EU Regulation 2021/2115 on industrial hemp (0.3 % THC); Cannabis sativa (Wikidata Q145873).
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