Hemp

Lore & Background

The etymology of hemp derives from the classical Greek κάνναβις (kánnabis), borrowed into Latin as cannabis and separately into Slavic, Baltic, Finnish, and Germanic languages. In Germanic languages, following Grimm's law, the 'k' shifted to 'h', giving Proto-Germanic *hanapiz, which developed into Old English hænep, henep. Another possible source is Assyrian qunnabu, a name for a source of oil, fiber, and medicine in the 1st millennium BC. Cognates include Dutch hennep, German Hanf, and Swedish hampa.

Reader's Guide

Hemp's significance lies in its broad utility and historical role as one of the first plants domesticated for fiber. Its bast fibers are used in textiles, composites, and specialty papers; its seeds provide food and oil rich in unsaturated fatty acids; and its woody core (hurds) serves in animal bedding and building materials like hempcrete. The term 'hemp' has varied definitions across regions and epochs, sometimes referring to all forms of Cannabis, sometimes only to low-THC cultivars. In most developed Western countries, governments regulate THC concentration and distinguish hemp from marijuana by chemotype, while in other regions, particularly where hemp is a traditional crop, such distinctions are not practiced, and the UN Trade and Development refers to 'multipurpose hemp.' Hemp's sustainability benefits—light weight, mold resistance, breathability—make it a versatile material for construction, and its seeds are a rich source of protein, B vitamins, and dietary minerals, though they contain antinutritional compounds such as phytic acid and tannins.

Did You Know?

• Hemp was one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber, approximately 8,000–10,000 years ago.
• The word 'canvas' is derived from the word cannabis.
• Hemp seeds are 32% protein and 49% fat, and are a rich source of several B vitamins and dietary minerals.
• In most developed Western countries, hemp is legally defined by a low concentration of THC, distinguishing it from marijuana.