National Hemp Day

National Hemp Day is celebrated every year on February 4 to recognize and celebrate the role hemp plays in the past, present, and future in our lives. cbdMD founded the holiday in 2019 as a way to build awareness of the value of hemp, the farmers who work hard to produce it, the innovators who use it in new ways, and surprise, and anyone who finds hemp useful in many ways.

Origin of National Hemp Day

What is Hemp?

Hemp is a type of cannabis that contains only the intoxicating THC. In other words, it does not expose humans or animals to mind-altering effects when consumed. According to US federal law, the maximum of THC that hemp only contain is 0.3%. Otherwise, it is considered illegal marijuana.

But while hemp contains only a small amount of THC, CBD is still abundant.

What Can You Make with Hemp?

Hemp is often associated with CBD consumer products that you can find in stores and online. These range from CBD tinctures, capsules, and other supplements to skin care products. You can even buy hemp-derived CBD oil for your dogs and cats!

If you want to learn more specifically about CBD, be sure to read "What is CBD?" and “CBD Benefits” pages.

Along with the chemical components of hemp, industrial hemp fiber is used to make fabrics, ropes and many other useful things.

How Do People Use Hemp Products?

When it comes to hemp-based wellness products, smart CBD users know it's best to take CBD every day as part of a healthy lifestyle. Simply drinking your favorite CBD gummies every day will not provide a path forward to good health. CBD users will get the best results when they take it along with a smart diet, regular exercise, good sleep habits, and stress reduction techniques.

As it relates to hemp products, they are only starting to see a resurgence. We'll talk more about the advancements in the hemp industry below.

History of National Hemp Day

Hemp and marijuana have origin from the Cannabis sativa plant. While cannabis is high in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive cannabinoid, hemp contains less than 0.3%. Hemp has many uses: hemp fiber can be used to make ropes, cords, yarns, cables, tarpaulins, bioplastics and clothing. Hemp seeds contain about 30% oil and the oil can be used to make paints, soaps, biofuels and varnishes, and is also edible. The seeds can be eaten and used to make milk. Hemp also contains cannabidiol (CBD), another cannabinoid, which can be taken as drops, capsules, gum, vape oil, topicals, bath bombs, and more.

National Hemp Day was started in 2019 by cbdMD to raise awareness of the entire hemp industry, in support of farmers grow hemp and encourage people to research what kind of hemp product is right for them. Additionally, cbdMD created both National CBD Day and National Hemp Day "to raise awareness of the health benefits that CBD extracted from hemp provides to many people each year." In the December before the first National Hemp Day, the 2018 Farm Bill was enacted, allowing hemp to be grown, produced and distributed at the national level. This increases consumer availability of hemp-based products, such as CBD oil, plastics, biofuels, paints and insulation. This farm bill follows the 2014 Farm Bill, which states that state governments can grow and research industrial hemp. That bill also classifies hemp and products derived from it with less than 0.3% THC as distinct from marijuana.

The earliest record of cultivated hemp is in 2800 BC in China. From there, its cultivation spread to the Mediterranean region, and then to the rest of Europe in the middle Ages. It was first cultivated in South America in the sixteenth century, and in North America in the seventeenth century. It is an annual, grown from seed, which can grow up to 16 feet tall. Fiber crops are grown close together, have few branches, and are 6 to 10 feet tall, while oilseed crops are planted further apart, have more branches, and are shorter.

How to Celebrate National Hemp Day?

You don't have to decorate your house or dress up. There are many ways to celebrate Hemp Day. Learning more about new uses for hemp, talking about hemp with others, and trying out a new hemp product are all great ways to celebrate!

Learn more about advances in hemp

You may think you know all there is to know about hemp, but we're willing to bet there's something new for you to learn. For example, did you know that hemp is useful for producing bioplastics? Maybe you can learn more about hemp-based building materials such as hemp insulation - a green alternative to fiberglass.

If you haven't tried a hemp-based wellness product like CBD oil and want more information, you can read our CBD Buyer's Guide.

Engage your elected representatives

Although hemp is now legal at the federal level in the United States, many roadblocks remain. If your state or local government places restrictions on the growing, processing, or use of hemp, you may write to or call your representative. Let them know what you think. You can even talk to your senator or congressman in Washington D.C. to let them know that you support measures to officially recognize CBD as a dietary supplement and food additive under FDA regulations.

If you want to see cannabis less regulated in general, you can join an advocacy group. It's a growing movement and your participation can really make a difference!

Try something new

If you're curious to try CBD hemp extract, there's no better day than today. And CBD products pair well with lifestyle changes because it's beneficial in a post-exercise recovery routine or daily relaxation ritual.

In fact, National Hemp Day is a great chance to try a different delivery method. If you're using an edible method like capsules, gummies, or tinctures, you may find that topicals provide a more targeted approach after hard days at work or in the gym.

On the contrary, you may have relied on topicals, like our cbdMD Recovery formula. You may find our tinctures particularly useful as a daily maintenance-based approach to your needs.

What about pets? Your fluffy family members may also need a little help. Luckily, Paw CBD Pets (powered by cbdMD) offers plenty of options for our dear friends!