7 Hemp Myths And Why They're Not Entirely True or False
Hemp is often touted as a miracle crop by hempsters and environmentalists alike. But is it really as miraculous as people say? And is it still a viable climate solution? Read on to discover more.
Myth 1 – Hemp requires little water
This is somewhat true when comparing hemp grown for fiber to cotton, but when comparing hemp grown for grain or CBD to corn, this claim holds little weight. Corn requires 45 to 50cm of moisture during the growing season for optimal yields, while hemp does best at around 45cm of moisture. While farmers can still make decent yields with less moisture, and hemp is more likely to be able to survive longer periods of drought, it can hardly be stated that hemp is a miracle crop that barely requires any water.
Myth 2 – Hemp requires no pesticides or herbicides
Again, there is some truth to this. While hemp may need far less pesticides than, say, corn or cotton, we should not expect this ease of farming to last forever. Pests and weeds are constantly adapting to their environment. While practices such as crop rotation and cover cropping can help mitigate some of these issues, we should expect the same cat-and-mouse game to have to be played with hemp that we play with any other crop. Farmers are seeking the highest yields and best prices for their crops, and spraying pesticides and herbicides at least every once in awhile can help ensure that.
It is also important to note that this whole “hemp doesn’t need pesticides” myth revolves around planting hemp close together which is only done for fiber production. Hemp grown for grain or CBD is more spaced out meaning the canopy of plants does not have the same ability to shade out weeds.
Myth 3 – Henry Ford made a car completely out of hemp
Again, this is not entirely true, but it is also not entirely false. There is a video of a supposed “hemp car” being whacked with a hammer, demonstrating impeccable strength. But the car was not made entirely out of hemp. It was likely made out of hemp, soybeans, wheat, flax, ramie, resin, and other ingredients. The actual hemp content likely hovered around 10%. While it is tempting to call it a “hemp car” in order to give hemp the greatest spotlight, it would be more accurate to call it a car with a small amount of hemp in it.
Myth 4 – Hemp plastic is biodegradable
This is largely false. What’s touted as “hemp plastic” is usually just regular fossil-based plastic with hemp filler. Even hemp plastics that are marketed as completely biodegradable/compostable often are not.
Read the post about hemp plastic on our sister blog to learn more!
Myth 5 – The Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper
While the Declaration of Independence being written on hemp paper sounds monumentally poetic, sadly this legend is fake. It was actually written on parchment which is made from animal skin.
Myth 6 – Hemp is carbon negative
This is true but with a very large caveat. Hemp is only carbon negative when the stalks and leaves are allowed to be used in products rather than being composted, digested, incinerated, or landfilled. Well, that’s where a company like Pollima comes in. Pollima is turning hemp waste into furniture which means those greenhouse gases aren’t being released back into the atmosphere.
Read the post on our sister blog called “Hemp waste... where does it go?” to learn more about what happens to hemp after it’s harvested and what Pollima is doing to step in and change that.
Myth 7 – Hemp will save the planet
This is true but only in the context of the many actions that are needed to stabilize our climate and protect the environment. The fact is that no one solution will rule them all. We must ensure that hemp cultivation does not result in more deforestation. We should also be careful to realize that just because hemp is more efficient than, say, corn or cotton does not mean that we can increase our rates of consumption and become flippant with our resources.
Even the most effective climate solutions are still only a small part of the overall portfolio. The entire industrial revolution needs to happen again – sustainably this time. Every job can and should be a climate job in some way. We are all connected to each other through the climate. If you are a musician, find ways to revolutionize the music industry to reduce its carbon emissions. If you are a farmer, keep finding ways to become more efficient and productive with less resources. If you are a dear reader, keep learning more and sharing new knowledge with your friends. We have a long way to go, but with everyone doing their part, the future is brighter than we think.