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Many people think that Hemp and Cannabis are 2 distinct plants.
And yet it’s the same plant, Cannabis Sativa L, that we’re talking about.
The word hemp is derived from the Latin cannabis.
The difference between the two comes solely from the THC content of the variety.
The plant has adapted to the different climates in which it has been grown, naturally creating different varieties.
Generally speaking, in warm climates, the plant produces a THC-rich resin, while in temperate climates it produces more fibrous flowers with a lower THC content.
In France and Europe, cultivated and authorized hemp has a THC content of less than 0.2%, while Cannabis( recreational or therapeutichemp ) is highly concentrated in THC (between 5 and 20%).
In everyday language, “cannabis” refers to the THC-rich variety, while “hemp” refers to varieties with a THC content of less than 0.2%, but botanically it’s the same plant: Cannabis Sativa L.
France has always cultivated hemp In the 19th century, 170,000 hectares of land were used for this crop, which declined steadily to just 600 hectares around 1950, when it was abandoned by industry and replaced by synthetic fabrics and cotton, which were booming at the time. The disaffection with this plant has also been caused by lobbying from the oil, forestry and textile industries, which have simply taken hemp out of the equation by associating the plant with the alleged dangerousness of cannabis.
A tax on hemp cultivation (the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, cf.) simply made it unprofitable. But the foreseeable shortage of oil, coupled with environmental issues, augurs well for the future of this sector.
In fact, over the last twenty years or so, it has been growing steadily, thanks to new outlets such as insulation and paper. With over 15,000 hectares, France produced almost 85 tonnes of hemp in 2017, which represents over 50% of the world market.
Fibers are mainly used for :
The seeds are used for food (flour, oils, etc.).
More recently, the results of studies into a future biofuel and bioplastic are very promising. They could significantly reduce our carbon footprint and facilitate the energy and ecological transition in France and around the world.
And there’s another important factor: CBD and the whole hemp wellness sector.
That’s why the USA and China are very interested in this crop, which is making a strong comeback, but France remains the best placed country in this sector for the time being.
France is finally moving forward and daring to talk openly about cannabis.
Indeed, a joint information mission is working at the French National Assembly on the regulation and impact of the various uses of cannabis.
They have clearly defined 4 axes to differentiate the possible uses of this incredible plant:
Therapeutic cannabis” refers to authorized medicines rich in CBD and/or THC. It is used for medical purposes to treat intractable neuropathic pain (Parkinson’s, etc.), painful muscle spasms, severe epilepsy resistant to conventional drugs, nausea and loss of appetite, and to accompany patients at the end of life. Other studies are exploring its medical usefulness for complications of stroke, Alzheimer’s, glaucoma, post-shingles pain…
Recreational cannabis” refers to THC-rich cannabis (now illegal) for recreational use. Consumers who engage in this illegal practice are looking for an altered state of consciousness that can lead to euphoria, excitement, relaxation, creativity, sleep, contemplation… However, this practice can lead to symptoms that are harmful to health in the short, medium and long term, such as tachycardia, anxiety, altered immediate memory, sensory disorders, mydriasis, paranoia, a trigger for severe psychotic disorders.
The “hemp industrial” defines the ancestral use of hemp in France and around the world. hemp industrial uses include fabrics, construction, cosmetics, sound and heat insulation, oils, ropes, bedding, fuel, paper, food, feed, biofuels and composite materials in combination with plastics.
And finally, the one that concerns us at DS COMPANY: “hemp wellness“, which refers to the whole sector based around non-medicated CBD-rich products (oils, e-liquids, cosmetics, etc.).
These products are more properly classified as dietary supplements designed to bring about a certain degree of well-being, but which cannot replace or substitute for medical treatment. Hemp for well-being would bring relaxation and relief to muscular and neuropathic pain present in certain specific pathologies (fibromyalgia, epilepsy, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, cancer…), it could also reduce certain inflammations, nausea, anxiety, difficulties in falling asleep, panic attacks or anxiety attacks or other psychic disorders.
” Hemp Wellness ” aims to bring relaxation, physical and mental well-being and balance to its users. In France, the syndicat du chanvre defends the interests of those involved in hemp wellness in France and the public health of users. The union is fully involved in setting unified standards to regulate the manufacture, processing and distribution of hemp and its raw or processed by-products. It aims to guarantee the highest possible level of safety in the use of CBD and terpene-based products by hemp users and professionals. Well-being hemp is not classified or considered as a medicine; it acts as a complement to a balanced and harmonious lifestyle and must be used in a reasoned way.
Discover our unique range of hemp wellness products based onCBD-rich hemp oil.
