Usage Of Cannabis And Its Advantages
Hemp also known as cannabis is a resourceful plant, for the human society, with many great benefits that can help people all over the World. Hemp is widely known and has been used for centuries because of how resourceful the plant is. The hemp plant is also overlooked because of the confusion between marijuana, but the two plants are completely different. The production and growth of the hemp plant improves modern human societies through industrial products, medical use, and improving the environment.
Hemp is produced from the Cannabis Sativa L species (Gołaszewska et al. 2018). This species is a source of industrial hemp and is used for production of a variety of products, such as oil, ropes, insulating boards, natural fibers, paper, clothing, varnish and other products (Gołaszewska et al. 2018). Fibers from hemp were used as raw material for the production of insulation boards ( Mirski et al 2018). Cannabis Sativa L is the oldest plant to been grown in the World (Gołaszewska et al. 2018). Hemp has endless benefits, like the seeds found in the hemp plant. The seeds can be used for animal feed, functional food, medicinal products, lower cholesterol and blood pressure (Gołaszewska et al. 2018). Hemp could possibly replace wood and cotton pulp, which are extensively used product (Tourangeau, 2015). And the hemp plant can reduce negative environmental impacts of producing products like ropes and paper. Hemp can make paper, that is stronger, while using less chemicals than wood paper (Tourangeau, 2015). The hemp plant can help stop environmentally destructive effects due to the use of fertilizers, water, pesticides, etc and lower yield per acre (Tourangeau, 2015). Hemp haves an anti-inflammatory effect (Smither, 2016). The plant can have therapeutic effects, such as alleviating separation anxiety, ease pain, and seizures (Smither, 2016). Cancer patients are given hemp to stimulate appetite, while undergoing chemotherapy (Smither, 2016).
Hemp grown on organic farms, plays a role in the environment, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions (Gołaszewska et al. 2018). The cannabis plant creates aerial biomass, providing soil protection towards dryness and weed growth (Gołaszewska et al. 2018). When cannabis roots die, it causes the soil to loosen and compose a source of organic matter (Gołaszewska et al. 2018). The cannabis plant’s roots and shoots absorb heavy metals, and remove contaminants from the soil environment, also copper that is toxic to plants at high concentrations (Gołaszewska et al. 2018). Cannabis is recyclable, for many purposes, and can also be used for feedstock for various bioproducts and can be processed into biofuels and used to improve soil fertility (Gołaszewska et al. 2018). Using the hemp plant as a textile fiber, is an alternative compared to other natural fibers. Textile hemp does not pollute and is not difficult to dispose of and does not cause ecological damages while simultaneously improves the environment (Pergamo et al, 2018).
The great properties in the hemp plant can help with medical issues, all around the world. Hemp can be used as a treatment for medical conditions, like malaria, rheumatic pain, intestinal constipation, and female reproductive system disorders (Jin and Lee, 2018). Hemp can relieve pain, inflammation, and relax muscle tension (Jin and Lee, 2018). Patients who have severe pain, multiple sclerosis, and neurodegenerative disorders can use hemp to help with the issues (Jin and Lee, 2018). The most popular substantiated medical use of hemp is chronic pain, neuropathic pain, musculoskeletal conditions, cancer and chemotherapy (Fares, 2018). Cannabis use in medicine is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States ( WMA Statement on Medical Cannabis, 2017). It’s estimated that the hemp market has more than 25,000 products in more than six markets (Swanson, 2015). Hemp’s biggest suppliers are India, Romania, Hungary, and China, by the way is the United States largest supplier of the hemp plant (Swanson, 2015). The plant can grow in a variety of climates (Swanson, 2015). The Natural Resources and Economic Development, discovered that industrial hemp complements existing crops like, wheat and potatoes (Swanson, 2015). Hemp is known to improve soil conditions for rotational crops (Swanson, 2015). The plant can remove any negative contaminants from soil (Swanson, 2015). Hemp can produce ten tons of biofuel in just four months (Swanson, 2015). The source of the fuel is contained in the hemp plant’s seeds (Swanson, 2015).
