Hemp (bot. Cannabis Sativa L.) is a perennial flowering plant native to Central Asia and introduced to many other parts of the world over the following centuries. Characterised by its bushy branches and narrow leaves, Cannabis Sativa L. is one of the best known and most popular plants in the world.
It is cultivated for food, fibre and the flower (for galenic preparations) and grows best in warm, humid climates. The leaves of the plant are long and thin, and are arranged in opposite pairs along the stem. The flowers of the plant are small and green, borne in clusters. The fruit of the plant is a small brown seed.
The botanical passport of Cannabis Sativa L.
Botanically referred to as Cannabis Sativa L., it belongs to the Cannabaceae family and is subdivided into three subspecies:
Cannabis Sativa L. is a dioecious plant (there are distinct male and female specimens) whose height varies from 1.5 to 8 metres (depending on the species and also on the fertility of the soil). It has a long taproot (edible) and an erect or branched stem with resinous outgrowths. The leaves are petiolate and provided with stipules and contain the valuable terpenes.
Sowing of Cannabis sativa L.
It has a life cycle of about 120 days and in Europe is sown in spring and harvested in late summer. In most of Europe, it can also be sown in winter, but in this case the harvest may have limited uses, such as for fibre only. From a climatic point of view, therefore, it certainly prefers a temperate climate, but can also withstand colder climates, albeit with a lower yield per sown hectare [1].
Sowing varies according to the intended use: if sowing for the flower then it should be a little spaced out, i.e. to allow the flower to develop more, if sowing for the fibre, which is mainly used for textiles, then it is sown very thickly, also known as 'lime' sowing.
After a long period of prohibition, farmers can now cultivate a variety of the Cannabis sativa L. plant, originally domesticated thousands of years ago in Central Asia, for industrial applications, such as textiles, paper and bioplastics, but also for food. As for the varieties of Cannabis indica L. and Cannabis rudealis L., these are cultivated (in countries where this is permitted) for galenic preparations or for recreational purposes. In recent years, the practice of so-called 'breeding', i.e. a technique that allows the creation of new Cannabis varieties by modifying mainly their two fundamental values, i.e. THC and CBD, has also developed more and more.
Hemp fabrics are commonly referred to as 'cannabis products' or 'hemp fabrics' due to common confusion over the terms 'industrial hemp' and 'recreational marijuana'. But these terms are not interchangeable. Industrial hemp refers to low-THC varieties of Cannabis sativa, while recreational marijuana refers to high-THC varieties.
Plant characteristics
It is de facto a very hardy plant, which does not need much water, which purifies the soil (especially from heavy metals) and does not require the use of fertilisers and pesticides. The absence of pesticides and the softening effect it has on the soil allows hemp to be sown on the same land for several years in succession, thus avoiding crop rotation (which is necessary for other plants that use a lot of pesticides, such as cotton). Furthermore, if other things are sown after hemp, this increases the productivity of the soil.
It absorbs heavy metals and toxins, prevents soil erosion due to its long and deep roots. It is considered to be soil-improving because it has a very low need for fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides, and especially because its roots grow deep, thus bringing an improvement in soil structure and fertility, from which the crops that follow can benefit [2].
This also results in a very low cost for treatments compared to other crops, such as cotton but also flax.
Active compounds of Cannabis Sativa L.
Cannabis sativa contains a number of active compounds, including THC and CBD. These compounds interact with the human body to produce a variety of effects, including relaxation, euphoria and increased appetite.
But despite its popularity, there is still much to learn about this fascinating plant species and its many beneficial properties. Cannabis sativa contains a variety of important nutrients and phytochemicals that can promote general health and well-being. In addition, it has been shown to have antioxidant effects and can help protect against certain chronic diseases. Thus, cannabis sativa remains an important subject of ongoing research, with the potential to improve human health and well-being for years to come.
References and insights:
[1] Cannabis revolution. Everything you need to know about cannabis (2018), Chiara Spadaro
[2] Manuale di coltivazione e prima lavorazione del lino e altre piante da fibra (2007), Ricerca Trasferimento Innovazione, by Giampiero Maracchi, consulted at the link
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