Hemp CBD oil. Hemp sunglasses. Hemp yoga clothes…in case you missed it, the world has fallen in love with hemp. Yet its big break into the mainstream is actually nothing new. In fact, for over 10,000 years hemp has played a significant role in human life throughout the course of history. But now that it’s back in the spotlight, there are more questions than ever about what exactly is hemp, how is it used and why has such a safe, versatile plant been surrounded by so much controversy.

Whether you’re completely new to the world of hemp, well-versed or somewhere in between, discover these 10 must know hemp facts to dive deeper into its history, impact, and benefits.

1. Hemp Can Do A lot, But It Can’t Get You High

You might be wondering, are hemp and marijuana the same thing? In short, the answer is: no. They are simply two different members of the cannabis family. While both hemp (or CBD) and marijuana come from the cannabis sativa plant species, the major difference is that marijuana contains less CBD and far more THC or tetrahydrocannabinol—the chemical compound responsible for marijuana’s psychoactive properties.

Usually, the THC levels in marijuana are anywhere between 12 and 30 percent, depending on the strain. Whereas hemp, a safe, legal, and non-hallucinogenic fiber of the cannabis plant, contains less than 0.3% THC and 20%+ CBD. So while hemp can certainly do a number of beneficial things, it can’t and definitely won’t get you high.

2. Hemp Has Been Around For More Than 10,000 Years

The history of hemp is just as rich as it is diverse. Some of the first signs of hemp in human existence date back to around 8,000+ BCE and were discovered by archeologists in Central Asia, now modern-day China and Taiwan, in the form of ancient pottery marked with hemp cord impressions. Additionally, a piece of hemp cloth was found in ancient Mesopotamia, now modern-day Iraq and Iran, that also dates back to around the same time period.

Through the ages, hemp's popularity spread across the globe as there have been traces of its use in ancient Greece, Russia, India, Egypt, and more civilizations. Prized for its strength and versatility, it has been used to make rope, oil, food, paper, clothing, shoes, fabrics and more. But it wasn’t until 1606 that hemp was first introduced to North America. Soon after in 1619, colonists in Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the Americas, began cultivating hemp for ropes, sails and more. In those days all settlers were required by law to grow hemp—a trend that would later resurface in the 1700s when more mandatory cultivation laws were enacted that compelled and incentivized farmers in Virginia and other colonies to grow hemp.

Even founding fathers George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams all grew hemp.

3. Hemp Was Made Federally Illegal Because It Comes From The Cannabis Plant

So how did hemp go from being glorified to stigmatized and federally banned in the United States? First, in 1937, the Marijuana Tax Act was passed—imposing strict regulatory measures and an excise tax on all cannabis sales, along with hemp, which discouraged hemp farmers and negatively impacted its production.

Decades later in 1970, the Controlled Substances Act was initiated and passed. This piece of legislation categorized all forms of cannabis, including hemp as an illegal schedule one drug simply because it comes from the same plant as psychoactive marijuana. As such, harsh regulations were set up on the cultivation of both hemp and marijuana—despite the fact that they are two completely different parts of the cannabis plant with two entirely different sets of effects.

4. Hemp Was Legalized Federally In The United States In 2018

Up until December of 2018, hemp was still federally classified as a schedule one substance along with harmful narcotics such as cocaine and heroin, according to the controlled substances act. This classification made it illegal to cultivate, possess and distribute hemp and hemp-derived CBD at the federal level, leaving it up to the states to decide whether or not they would allow the sale and consumption of CBD.

So what changed? The farm bill passed with a provision to redefine industrial hemp from a prohibited substance to a regular agricultural crop—permitting hemp growers to buy federally-subsidized crop insurance and providing clarity on the federal legal status of hemp-derived extracts, such as hemp-based CBD oil.

This also means the free transfer of hemp and hemp-derived products across state lines “for commercial or other purposes,” is fully permitted. So, if you were to purchase a CBD hemp product containing less than 0.3% THC, and you wanted to take it on a domestic vacation, you’re completely within your rights to bring that product with you across state lines.

5. Some Consider Hemp A Superfood

In recent years, hemp has catapulted onto the food scene, and it’s no surprise why. After all, every hemp-based food originates from the same thing: hemp seeds; which many have said is one of the world’s most complete and nutrient-rich food sources. Hemp seeds are packed with omega-3, omega-6, protein, iron, vitamin E, healthy fats, calcium, fiber and all of the essential amino acids. They can be eaten in a variety of ways like shelled, raw, toasted or with a dash of flavor. Plus, the seeds can be pressed for oil which creates seed cake that can then be used to produce flour and protein powder.

Additionally, hemp-derived foods have the same pros as other plant-based foods. Mainly that the proteins in it are simpler to digest than animal proteins. But also, hemp relies on far less carbon to cultivate than raising livestock to produce animal protein. So it's an ideal choice for anyone looking to minimize their carbon footprint, not just vegetarians and vegans. 

6. Growing Hemp Could Reduce Deforestation

Did you know that on average, one acre of hemp can produce about two to four times more paper than one tree? Hemp paper is stronger, acid-free, has a longer shelf life and costs much less to produce than paper made from trees. It also matures in 90-120 days, while it can take trees 20 years to mature. Not to mention, hemp paper can be recycled nearly 7-8 times compared to paper made from wood pulp which can be recycled only three times.

Can you imagine how many trees and forests could be saved around the planet solely by switching from wood-based paper to hemp paper products?

7. Hemp Can Be Used To Create Planes

The world’s first airplane made of 75% hemp exists. Derek Kesek, hemp enthusiast, environmentalist, and CEO of Hempearth, a marijuana-based cannabis company, teamed up with Velocity Inc. to design and manufacture the first model of the plane. It runs on 100% hemp oil, has a wingspan of 36 feet and can hold one pilot plus four passengers.

If you’re thinking: why would anyone attempt to use hemp to build a plane? It’s because hemp is incredibly strong and durable. In some forms, roughly 10 times stronger than steel and can hold more weight before reaching its breaking point. Hemp also bends more easily than metal and is lighter so it relies on less fuel to get off the ground.

8. Planting Hemp Can Restore Depleted Soil

Certain plants are known to clean up unhealthy soil, and industrial hemp is one. This process is called bioremediation or phytoremediation. There have been a number of scientific experiments testing hemp’s effectiveness in restoring toxic soil—most notably the hemp soil remediation experiments in Chernobyl. During the 1990s a team of scientists successfully used hemp to expel heavy metals from the soil in areas surrounding Chernobyl.

Nearly a decade later in 2001, German researchers confirmed the Chernobyl results showing hemp’s ability to remove lead, cadmium, and nickel from land contaminated with sewage sludge.

9. In The U.S., Hemp Sales Grew To $820 million In 2017 Alone

Despite legal and regulatory obstacles in 2017, the U.S. hemp grew by 16% annually—resulting in a total of $820 million in sales. This monumental growth was spearheaded by the rapid expansion of the hemp-derived CBD market which brought in $190 million in sales. By 2022, Hemp Business Journal estimates that the U.S. hemp industry will grow into a $1.9 billion dollar market.

10. There Are Currently Over 25,000 Hemp Products Globally

Skateboards, furniture, skin care, vitamins—hemp is everywhere and almost in every product. Take cars for example. Automobile manufacturers like Ford, GM, Chrysler, Saturn, BMW, Honda, and Mercedes use hemp composites to craft their door panels, trunks, headliners, dashboards and more.

Still, it’s the rising popularity of hemp-based consumables, particularly products with hemp-derived CBD oil like vape pens and tinctures that have taken the world by storm just in the last five years alone. The good news: access to the benefits of hemp CBD are now more accessible than ever. On the other hand, with so many brands and products to choose from, it can be hard to know for sure which is the best for you. Our advice: be conscious, be cautious and choose Curaleaf Hemp. We offer a variety of pure, lab-tested, THC free CBD products made with the highest quality full spectrum CBD oil and premium essential oils. 

Your wellness is our passion and we’re proud to offer the best hemp-based CBD to help you live life well.

Explore Pure Hemp CBD Vape Pens, Topicals, Tinctures, Capsules, Pain Relief Patches & More

All products are 100% hemp-derived and farmed wholly in the United States. 

Natural, non-intoxicating products for a better quality of life. That’s the promise of CBD, and Curaleaf Hemp is your source for the most effective hemp-based CBD products that meet the strictest quality standards in the industry.

Learn more about Curaleaf Hemp and CBD here.

If you’ve read the Curaleaf Hemp blog before, you probably know a little more about hemp than the average person. For instance: you know that hemp is very much legal. You know that, yes indeed, you can smoke hemp safely, efficiently, and effectively. And, perhaps most important for the purposes of this blog post, you know that hemp and marijuana are very much different compounds, with different chemical makeups; and, therefore, with different effects on the mind and body.

What exactly do we mean by that? Well, marijuana contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Hemp is legally allowed to have just a very small amount of THC. And therein lies the main difference between how the two make you feel: because THC is psychoactive, marijuana makes you feel “high,” while hemp does not. Let’s dive in a little deeper here.

Does hemp have THC? How much can it have?

While hemp (or CBD) and marijuana come from the same plant (Cannabis sativa), marijuana contains far more THC—usually somewhere between 12 and 30 percent, depending on the strain. How much of that actually makes it into your body depends on your method of administration—but that’s another story altogether. The real story here is that legal, commercially sold hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC. That is a negligible amount of THC that the average person will not feel regardless of the dose. That means that legal hemp products—like the disposable vape pens, topicals, and tinctures we sell in our store—are mostly non-toxic (and because ours contain 100% hemp/CBD they are are 100% non-toxic), and have no ability to impair your physical or mental state of being.

So why take hemp or CBD?

The question that begs to be asked: if there are no psychoactive effects, then why use hemp at all? Well, hemp has dozens of practical and medicinal benefits, some of them currently more backed by scientific evidence than others, but nearly all of them gaining steam and widespread acceptance in the medical field.

First and foremost, hemp is a terrific solution for those suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, and/or depression. Hemp is natural, less addictive, less potentially dangerous, and has less side effects than pharmaceuticals that have traditionally been used to treat anxiety and depression, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Lexapro and Celexa, and benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium. A dose from one of our Relax disposable vape pens, for instance, which are 100% non-GMO, and contain absolutely no THC, can go a long way in easing stress and promoting relaxation. No prescription or trip to your primary care provider necessary.

In terms of chronic soreness, you really can’t beat using hemp or cbd cream for pain. Hemp cream or lotion is as quick and accessible a method of hemp administration as you’ll find; and it’s extremely effective in treating long-standing physical ailments like arthritis, chronic muscle or joint pain, old athletic injuries, and the like. Our 300mg cbd lotion comes replete with a lovely lemongrass scent, is packed into a compact, easily storeable container, and, when applied directly to the affected area, soothes pain and physical discomfort in minutes.

Hemp has also been proven time and again to be highly effective in treating neurodegenerative diseases, most notably epilepsy. Multiple studies have shown hemp to be effective in eliminating or quelling seizures; and the results of clinical trials have been so irrefutable that the FDA has sanctioned the use of hemp medications like Epidiolex to treat them. Hemp has also proven to be an effective combatant to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Take wellness into your own hands

Knowledge is power; but now that you’ve read up on the THC content of hemp, and understand that using hemp medicinally can provide you with all the benefits of medicinal cannabis without the toxicity, what’s next? If you’re still in the mood for self-education, don’t hesitate to check out any of the other pieces on the Curaleaf Hemp blog, where we write about all things hemp, all the time.

If, on the other hand, you’re ready to get in the game and start taking health and wellness into your own hands, check out our comprehensive collection of 100% hemp products today.

We’ve all been there. Maybe you’ve just embarked on a 5-mile run on unforgiving concrete. Or maybe that old tennis elbow injury is flaring up and making it difficult to complete everyday tasks. Or maybe you suffer from chronic arthritis, or tendinitis, or some other chronic pain that threatens to set your joints on fire at the drop of a hat. Whatever the case: you’re in pain, and you want relief as soon as you can get it.

One of the many properties of CBD that makes it such a powerful healing agent is its ability to fight physical pain and inflammation. That’s why at Curaleaf Hemp, we manufacture full-spectrum, 100% non-GMO CBD lotion that helps athletes and chronic-pain-fighters alike get the jump on the physical ailments that make it difficult for them be at their best.

How does CBD cream or lotion effectively combat pain and inflammation? Let’s talk specifics.

CBD Cream is a Long-Lasting Pain Reliever

While CBD lotion might not be as fast-acting as, say, a CBD vape pen, applying it to your skin will allow you to feel relief in the affected as area in as little as one hour. Those who have suffered from long-lasting pain for a long period of time will find that wait time tenable; but even if it seems a bit long, the pay off makes the wait worth it. Like CBD edibles, CBD cream provides relief for longer periods of time that other methods of CBD administration—often, up to 5 hours. That means for every hour you spend waiting, you’re going to experience 5 hours of relief.

CBD Cream is a Precise Pain Reliever

We mentioned that when you apply CBD, you’re treating a single affected area. That is another huge draw of going the CBD cream route over other methods—it gives you the ability to treat one single area of discontent on your body. That means if you have a sore elbow, you’re only treating that elbow. If you have swelling in your ankle after a long run, you’re only treating that ankle. This might not sound all that ideal for people seeking “general” relief from pain and anxiety; but if you’re suffering from acute pain in a single region, CBD cream is going to be the perfect remedy for you.

CBD Cream is an Accessible Pain Reliever

Especially if you’re a new CBD user, using CBD cream gives you the ability to reap all the pain-relieving benefits of CBD in a form that you’re used to. When you use CBD cream, you’re not applying it any differently than you would apply, say, a skin moisturizer. Simply unscrew the lid, dip in your finger, and spread the cream thoroughly over the affected spot. When you’re done, simply re-fasten the lid, and store in any accessible place in your home. No need to worry about whether you’re inhaling correctly (as you might if you were using a vape pen), or if you’re dosing too much. With very little setup, and very little clean up, CBD cream is the perfect quick application pain reliever.

CBD Cream is a Natural Pain Reliever

When you use traditional pain creams on the market, you run the risk of applying non-natural chemicals and additives to your skin. Not only is this an issue from the perspective of general health and wellness, but it’s an issue specifically for skin health. All too often people using pain creams are willing to sacrifice healthy skin pores for muscle and joint pain relief. With CBD cream, skin health and muscle health are no longer a mutually exclusive proposition.

Numerous studies have shown that using CBD cream can help your skin look more youthful and radiant. CBD cream has, accordingly, gained a reputation as a cosmetic as well as an agent of physical health. That is a rare, welcome combination in a market that, again, typically struggles to produce products that don’t sacrifice health for beauty (and vice versa).

Why Should You Use CBD Cream for Pain Relief?

So why should you use CBD cream for pain relief? Because CBD cream combines all the benefits of full-spectrum CBD oil with the easy set up and application of a rub-on topical. Because CBD cream is as precise and as long-lasting a CBD solution as you’re going to find on the market. And because it is an all-natural, organic solution to a problem that all too often relies on non-organic solutions.

If you’re struggling with physical pain or inflammation, please don’t hesitate to check out our CBD topicals, and get on the road to taking health and wellness into your own hands today.

If you’ve read our blog in the past, you know by now that smoking hemp is perfectly safe, perfectly legal, and actually, pretty simple. Hemp is not like marijuana: because it’s nontoxic, it doesn’t get you high, meaning there’s no inherent danger in autonomously using hemp as a medicinal product to relieve pain, anxiety, and inflammation (to name just a few of the benefits of using hemp medicinally). Vaping hemp is also one of the most immediate means of physically getting hemp into your system so you can start feeling relief.

So what’s stopping you? If you’re looking to get into the vape game, you’re probably wondering how to choose the right hemp oil vape. Our guide on how to vape CBD oil gave an in-depth look at the process of using hemp oil vapes to inhale CBD; it also discussed some of the options currently available to you on the market—but how do you find a hemp oil vape that suits your unique lifestyle? 

That’s what we’re here to discuss today. Read this guide, and you’ll be well on your way to finding the right hemp oil vape for you.

Understand the Market

There are several different kinds of hemp oil vapes on the market today. Which one you choose will depend upon your unique lifestyle and identity. Let’s give a brief rundown of the two main choices you have when you go to buy your first hemp oil vape.

1. Tank or pen. You can vape hemp oil through two distinct yet similar devices—tanks and pens. They are similar in that they perform the same function (allowing you to get the hemp oil into your system quickly and efficiently), but the difference in the way each performs that function is very important to understand.

Tank style vapes are generally bigger and thicker than vape pens, and produce large, plumey clouds of vapor upon exhale. Vape pens, by contrast, are smaller, thinner, and produce very little vapor. Because of this, vape pens are usually the favored choice of hemp oil users who want to vape discreetly, and who want to be able to carry a device that is concealed, portable, and usable anywhere.

In terms of what you’re actually vaporizing in each device, tank style vapes use what’s known as e-juice, which is typically a mixture of hemp oil and other chemicals like propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. Vape pens use hemp oil proper. Typically, therefore, it takes less hits from a vape pen than it would from a tank style vape to feel the same effect.

2. Reusable or disposable. Vape pens come in two varieties—reusable and disposable. Disposable vape pens, the kind we make here at Curaleaf Hemp, are typically the favored choice of beginners, and of hemp oil users who just want to get going without the setup or hassle. Disposable vape pens are ready out of the box, comparatively cheaper, and remove the risk of chemical inhalation associated with wear and tear of the metallic heating coil within reusable vape pens. Both are fine choices—again, it’s just going to depend on your experience level, and on what you want out of each use. 

Understanding Your Unique Lifestyle

Now that you understand what kinds of hemp oil vapes are out there, how do you choose the one that’s right for your lifestyle?

A great place to start is to think about your daily routine. If you’re working a nine-to-five, for instance, and have to take the train to and from work, you might prefer a vape pen over a tank style vape, because it will allow you to take discreet hits while commuting with crowds of people. If you don’t have as much contact with commuters throughout the day, on the other hand, a tank style might be perfectly suitable.

Another thing to think about is your personality type. When you’re choosing between reusable and disposable, for instance—are you the kind of person that is interested in the work involved with maintaining a reusable vape pen? Do you want to know the inner machinations of the device and be able to take diligent care of it? Or would you rather just not think about it, get relief, and throw away your vape pen when you’re done with it? Or perhaps it’s a mix of both: you consider yourself a technically inclined person, but you don’t care to really put in the work to maintain your hemp oil vape—you just want to use it.

For the potency, the efficiency, and the minimal hassle, you will never hear us at Curaleaf Hemp advocate for anything other than disposable vape pens when vaping hemp oil—but again, this is going to be a personal decision based on a number of factors that are completely unique to you.

Whatever the case, we hope we’ve helped you arrive at your decision a little faster. Happy vaping!