When most people are talking about Hemp or Marijuana. The conversation more often then not turns to either the medicinal benefits or the potential of getting high.
Not many people are aware of the wide application industrial use that these wondrous plants can have.
There are far too many applications for us to be able to name right here, as there’s over 50,000 of them in fact. So in this article we will be covering some of the more common uses.
To help you find examples of the sort of applications that we will be going over. We have search the internet for as much of the relevant information and examples that we could find, and will be providing the appropriate links for your convenience.
Every Part of the Plant Has a Use
Flowers and Leaves
The highest levels of CBD and THC can be found in the leaves and flowers of both plants. For this reason the leaves and flowers are used almost exclusively for producing medicinal products.
The remainder of the plant is a less viable option for this extraction process. As it would either yield too low a level to make it profitable, or it could dilute the concentration levels and contaminate in the end product.
For information on the medicinal potentials of CBD, view our article Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil and Cannabiniods in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Treatment.
Seeds
Oil can be produced from the seeds of both plants. Hemp plants tend to have their seeds harvested for processing more often then the Marijuana plants. This is because most Marijuana plants are harvested before they can produce seed, and most of the seeds that are produced. Are used to grow more plants in conjunction with the “cloning” process of a plant.
Stems and Stalks
There are two main by products produced from processing the stems and stalks of both plants. These are the Bast Fibers and the Hurd (the woody core). These two by products have the most potential industry application and they can be used in farming, building and industrial products.
Pulp/Cake/Biscuit
The waste byproducts left behind, when processing any part of the plant, is in the form of a pulp. Nothing needs to go to waste when we process either plant as these byproducts can be used in farming, building or even chemical processing.
Potential Industry Applications for Cannabis Products
Pretty much anything made of cotton, timber or even petroleum, can be made out of hemp as well. Hemp fiber is one of the strongest natural fibers in the world. It can be used to product anything from fabrics to ropes and build material.
This makes the humble cannabis plant the Swiss army knife of the past, present and future industrial innovations.
1) Textile, Clothing and Paper Industries
What comes to mind for most people when they think of Hemp fabrics is the rough and coarse burlap sack like materials. The kind that looks like they are made of rope, with loose fibers sticking out and all the edges looking torn and frayed.
This is no longer the case thanks to technological innovations in the textile industry. Now the cannabis fibers can be worked into a softer more flexible texture. This usually includes blending them with other fibers such as cotton, with the end product looking and feeling just like any other fabric and paper product.
Product Examples:
2) Agriculture, and Horticulture
Cannabis byproducts as well as the raw materials themselves, can be used in the variety of was with regards to animal care. From winter protection coats, to bedding and even feed itself. The materials produced through the cannabis industry can be perfectly fine to be used within the agriculture industry.
The pulp byproducts and general waste. Can be used to produce mulch and compost, that’s ideal for returning nutrients into the soil. As well as protecting the soil itself from the elements. It can keep the moisture in the ground, stave off frost and even help to prevent erosion.
Product Examples:
- Horse Blankets
- Animal Bedding
- Animal Feed
- Garden Mulch
- Erosion Control Blankets
3) Construction and Industrial
The cannabis fibers make for an excellent substitute for the fibers found in products like fiberglass, fiber board and insulation. They can also be used as part of the binding mixture used to make bricks, moldings and pultrusion compression.
Cannabis is also a pyrolysis biomass, meaning that it is great for making ethanol, methanol, methane gas, and other bio-fuels.
The oils produced from processing cannabis plants can also be used as a chemical feed-stock. Which can be used to produce plastics, paints, and sealants.
The raw bast fibers and hurd can be used to make chemical absorbents and ropes, as well as fuel for boilers.
Product Examples:
- Geotextiles
- Bio-Composites
- Hepcrete/Hemplime
- Insulation
- Bio-fuel
- Solvents
- Paints
4) Body Care and Beauty
From balms to lotions and even cosmetics, cannabis can be used to produce a variety of products. That can hydrate and clean your skin and your hair. Or even help hide blemishes and give your skin just that little bit of a glow.
Product Examples:
5) Food Industry
The largest and most profitable market for the cannabis industry outside of medical, would be the food industries. Whether its a bulk produced wholesale market or the ingredients used for home cooking. Every item that can be produced for this industry can be used in most markets that deal with food.
Cannabis actually contains up to 80% PUFAs (Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids), a highly nutritious compound for both humans and animals alike. These levels make cannabis one of the best natural sources in the plant kingdom.
Product Examples:
- Breads
- Granola
- Ice Creams
- Milk
- Breakfast Stock
- Protein Powders
- Cooling Oil
- Flour
- Seed Cake for Beer Production
- Salad Oils
- Butter
- Supplements