Industrial hemp is a number of varieties of Cannabis sativa L. that are intended for agricultural and industrial purposes. They are grown for their seed and fiber content as well as the resulting byproducts such as oil, seed cake, hurds, etc. Industrial hemp is characterized by being low in THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) and high in CBD (cannabidiol). THC is less than 1% and in Canada and the European Union the current legal level for cultivation is 0.3%. The ratio of CBD to THC is greater than one.

It has been noted by many experts that the presence of elevated levels of CBD in industrial hemp causes the human body to actually block reception of the psychoactive THC, thereby making industrial hemp an "anti-marijuana" and therefore undesirable/counterproductive as a recreational drug. Due to pollenation preferences unique to each of the types of plants (psychoactive marijuana vs industrial hemp)it is actually preferrable for both camps that they NOT be grown near each other. This is a strong proof against the common fear that the drug marijuana would be grown among industrial hemp plants.

Much good information on this subject, including a PDF exposing the myths about industrial hemp, can be found at http://www.votehemp.com

External links

Badnarik issues position paper on industrial hemp

See also Sisal hemp.