We won’t beat around the bush; hemp is the cream of the crop. But why? 

From protein powders to milk, skincare products, and even clothing, people are turning to hemp for items outside its traditional uses, and have been for years. Fun fact, even George Washington grew it before it was cool. 

If you read our Myth vs. Fact blog, you got a preview into the hemp plant and why there’s so much confusion surrounding it. Now, we’re going to dig a little deeper.

Hemp History Lesson

We weren’t joking about what we said back there. The US's OG president grew hemp back in the mid-1700s. It was even the material of choice for tents, sails, ropes, and other textiles. Heck, the War of 1812 was over hemp. But the hype began to dissipate as it struggled to compete with cotton. Then, in the mid-1930s, it was banned due to its relation to marijuana.

They Say You Can’t Choose Your Family

Quick Refresher: Hemp, marijuana, and 170 other plants fall under the Cannabis family, but they are two completely separate plants. Hemp is the favorite child for a few reasons. Not only is it versatile and can be used for several commercial and industrial products, but it could be the next big sustainable alternative. Nearly every part of the plant can be used, it’s biodegradable, and doesn’t require much water or space. Not to mention, it’s responsible for our beloved CBD.

Unlike marijuana, hemp contains very low amounts of THC and staggering amounts of CBD (the compound used for anxiety, stress, sleep, and inflammation). All Wild CBD products are derived from hemp, grown in American soil, if we may add. But because we’re visual, we made this handy little breakdown on the difference between the two.

A Warning About “Hemp Oil”

Companies are popping up each day and capitalizing on the benefits of CBD and the hemp plant. But there are some shady brands out there, so don’t get it twisted. Hemp oil is NOT the same as CBD oil. CBD oil is made from the stalks, leaves, and flowers of the hemp plant and is responsible for its medicinal properties. Hemp oil is extracted from the seeds of the hemp plant and can be used for cooking and cosmetic purposes (think avocado or olive oil). While hemp oil contains its own list of nutritional benefits, you won’t get the same therapeutic benefits CBD offers. The moral of the story: Always read the label and only purchase from trusted brands.

Now, do you see what the hype is all about? Companies around the world have started to hop on the hemp train, and we couldn’t be more excited. At Wild, it’s our mission to get CBD in the hands of people globally—wherever regulation permits and whenever that may be. Until then, we stand behind the miraculous powers of the hemp plant through and through.