HEMP IS BACK

The U.S. Constitution was written on hemp paper, and Betsy Ross' first American flag was made of hemp fabric, but the road back to hemp fiber textiles grown in the United States will take a while, industry experts say.  Henry Ford even made his first version of the Model A out of hemp plastic.

Thousands of U.S. farmers have planted hemp this year, hoping to cash in on the revival of a historic American crop that was illegal to grow for more than 80 years. A member of the cannabis family and cousin to marijuana, hemp was taken off the illegal federal Schedule 1 status in the 2018 Farm Bill.  But most farmers choose to grow the CBD variety of hemp, which is a short, bushy plant, compared to hemp grown for fiber and textiles -- a long, reedlike plant that can reach 15 feet tall.

Hemp fiber was used for rope, sails, and canvas in the past.  Hemp is known as "The Strongest Natural Fiber On The Planet".  Not a bad reputation!  Hemp doesn't wear out, it wears in.  It just becomes more comfortable after each wash!

The journey from the dirt to the shirt involves natural and mechanical processes that break the "bast" outer fiber material from the rest of the plant.  The plant must be partially decomposed in a process called retting, followed by a crushing process called decortication that breaks the bark away and releases the fiber. The fiber then must be de-gummed and combed before it can be spun into yarn, which then can be woven into fabric.