Hemp Fabric: How Cannabis Ended Up in Your Closet

Hemp is the fiber-and-seed side of the cannabis plant, and it makes some of the toughest, most sustainable fabric out there. It comes from the same species as weed, but it's bred for long stalks and almost no THC instead of resinous buds, so a hemp T-shirt won't get anyone high. Here's how the two differ and what the textile industry actually does with hemp.

Hemp vs. Marijuana: Same Species, Different Plant

The first thing to clear up is the difference between hemp and marijuana. Both come from the cannabis species, but they're grown for very different jobs and have very different traits.

Hemp is grown specifically for its fibers and seeds, which have a long list of industrial uses. The hemp varieties used for textiles carry only trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound behind the high you get from weed. In many countries, the United States included, the law requires hemp to contain less than 0.3% THC.

Marijuana, on the other hand, is grown mainly for its flowers, which pack significant amounts of THC and are used recreationally or medicinally. Think of hemp and marijuana as two strains of the same plant: same family tree, radically different chemistry and uses.

Why the Textile Industry Loves Hemp Fiber

Hemp has earned its spot in the textile world for a few reasons. First, it's one of the strongest natural fibers on the planet, which translates into seriously durable fabric. Hemp clothes can take daily wear and frequent washing without falling apart.

On top of that, hemp is a highly sustainable crop. It grows fast and needs less water than crops like cotton. It's also naturally pest-resistant and doesn't call for heavy pesticide or herbicide use. And its roots help keep soil healthy and hold it in place against erosion.

Hemp Clothing and Sustainable Fashion

As more people pay attention to where their clothes come from, hemp has become a go-to choice for sustainable fashion. Plenty of clothing brands now work hemp into their lines. Hemp fabric breathes well, which makes it a solid pick for hot weather, and it takes dye nicely, so hemp garments come in all kinds of colors and styles.

The perks go beyond toughness and a low footprint. Hemp clothing softens with every wash and is comfortable to wear. It's also said to have antibacterial and antifungal properties, which helps it stay fresh between washes.

A Fiber That Does a Bit of Everything

Despite the shared history between hemp and marijuana, the two are fundamentally different crops. Hemp is a versatile textile fiber that's turning into a pillar of sustainable fashion. Between its durability, its sustainability and its comfort, hemp keeps gaining ground in the textile industry and looks like a strong bet for the future.

What Is Industrial Hemp Used For?

Hemp shows up in a surprising number of industries thanks to its versatility and unique properties. Here's a quick rundown of where it ends up:

1. Textiles:
   • Hemp fiber: Hemp is grown mostly for its fiber. The fibers are pulled from the plant's stalks and spun into yarn and fabric. Hemp cloth is durable, strong and breathable, which makes it a good fit for clothing, bedding and home textiles.
   • Sustainable fashion: Because it's tough and low-impact, hemp has caught on in eco-friendly fashion. Many brands use it for clothing and footwear.
2. Food:
   • Hemp seeds: Hemp seeds are packed with nutrients, including essential fatty acids, protein and fiber. People eat them raw, press them into hemp seed oil or bake them into food, and they're widely considered a healthy food source.
3. Health and wellness:
   • Hemp seed oil: Pressed from the seeds, hemp seed oil goes into skincare and nutritional supplements. It contains essential fatty acids and is believed to be good for the skin and overall health.
   • CBD products: Hemp is a source of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating compound used in wellness products like oils, lotions and capsules.
4. Construction:
   • Building materials: Hemp is used to make sustainable building materials such as hempcrete blocks, insulation and fiberboard. These materials are fire-resistant, durable and eco-friendly.
5. Paper:
   • Hemp paper: Hemp fiber has been used to make paper for centuries. Hemp paper is durable and breaks down more slowly than conventional wood-pulp paper.
6. Bioplastics:
   • Hemp-based plastics: Hemp goes into bioplastics that are biodegradable and have a smaller environmental impact than traditional plastics.
7. Fuel and energy:
   • Biofuels: Hemp has been floated as a potential biofuel source because it grows fast and is high in cellulose.
8. Automotive:
   • Car parts: Some automakers use hemp-based materials for parts like door panels and dashboards.
9. Cosmetics:
   • Beauty products: Hemp seed oil turns up in all sorts of skin and hair products thanks to its moisturizing, nourishing properties.

Hemp is prized for its sustainability, fast growth and sheer versatility across a wide range of uses. As demand for sustainable, eco-friendly products keeps climbing, hemp has become a key raw material in a lot of industries.

What Can You Do With CBD Hemp?

1. Medical use: Hemp grown for its flowers is often used to extract cannabinoids, especially cannabidiol (CBD). CBD goes into oils and tinctures that patients use for conditions like epilepsy, chronic pain and anxiety, and research on several of those uses is ongoing.
2. CBD products: CBD hemp is the raw material for a whole range of products, from oils and capsules to lotions and edibles. People reach for them to ease pain, calm inflammation, sleep better and take the edge off stress and anxiety.
3. Smoking and vaping: Some people smoke or vape hemp flower. It won't give you the high of THC-rich weed, but thanks to its CBD it can offer a mellow, relaxing experience.
4. Terpene extraction: Terpenes are the aromatic compounds in hemp flower, and they're often used to make essential oils and fragrances.
5. Dual-purpose crops: Some farmers grow hemp for fiber, seeds and CBD-rich oil all at once. These flower-focused varieties tend to carry more cannabinoids than fiber hemp, but they're still bred to stay under the legal THC limit in many places.