Construction Materials: Concrete made from hemp is known as hempcrete and is strong, lightweight, breathable, non-toxic, water resistant, fire resistant, energy efficient and provides excellent insulation.
Hemp-derived CBD Products: CBD has been declared to be safe, non-toxic and non-addictive by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Congress. While local government can impose its own restrictions on the growth and sale of hemp products, they cannot interfere with inter-state commerce in hemp or hemp products. Major banks and credit card companies are thus just as liberated to provide services to this industry as are retailers to carry its products and major Consumer Product Goods (CPG) companies to expand into the hemp-derived CBD space. We expect this to remain hemp’s highest growth sector, noting that early efficacy study results point to this molecule moving towards platform rather than destination status.
Hemp itself is one of the oldest agricultural crops we know and the new domestic industry surrounding it will likely take well over a decade to mature. Production cost, processing equipment, regulatory uncertainty, yield, overseas competition and government support are a few of the areas in which time will provide needed clarity. There is further work to be done in plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology and soil science with tremendous implications for the passionate agronomist and investor alike. Hemp’s diversity of use and rising acceptance brings us to the cusp of a global shift for an industry that is likely to exceed even the most optimistic amongst today’s expectations.