Industrial hemp

Glossary / Hemp / Industrial hemp
HEMP · GLOSSARY ENTRY

Industrial hemp

Hemp cultivars grown for fibre, seed, or biomass rather than cannabinoid extraction — used in textiles, paper, building materials, and animal feed.

Why it matters

Industrial hemp covers cultivars optimised for non-pharmaceutical uses. Fibre cultivars (long, tall stems) supply the textile and rope industries; seed cultivars produce edible seed and oil; dual-purpose cultivars do both. Industrial hemp is genetically distinct from CBD-extraction cultivars.

In practice

In modern markets, industrial hemp is rebuilding after decades of US prohibition. Applications include hempcrete (insulating construction material), biocomposites, and protein powders. Cannabinoid content in industrial cultivars is low.

Common confusion

Industrial hemp is sometimes assumed to be a CBD source. It usually isn’t — CBD extraction uses high-cannabinoid cultivars, not fibre/seed varieties.

SOURCES

    This glossary entry is editorial content reviewed against primary sources. It is not medical advice. See our Editorial Policy.

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