Hemp: What Is It Used For?

Your online search for smoking accessories is sure to include several retailers offering hemp-made rolling papers, hemp wicks and other products. Most people associate hemp with dreadlock flower children with homemade dresses and exotic scents. This is despite the fact that hemp products date back as far as the Stone Age. Hemp’s current association with smoker culture is due to it being a variety of cannabis sativa, making it part of the marijuana family. Unlike marijuana, hemp has a low THC to CBD ratio (CBD counteracts the psychoactive effects of THC). Don’t tell this to the American government though: the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classified all forms of cannabis - including hemp - as a Schedule I drug, making it illegal to grow it in the United States. Thankfully, that prohibition doesn’t extend to countries such as Spain and France, which are the homes of hemp paper producers such as RAW and Zig-Zag.

Aside from it’s use as animal food, biodiesel and even car interiors, hemp is primarily known as a material for rolling papers. Hemp is a popular choice due to being more organic than most rolling paper materials. Hemp grows so easily that farmers don’t have to use pesticides when farming, which means you can be sure that your hemp papers are additive free. They also lack the chlorine that is often used in lower end rolling papers. In terms of smoking experience, hemp papers offer a mild, pleasant taste that some may describe as sweet or musky. The natural thickness of hemp fibers makes the papers easy to roll for many smokers.
Hemp is also used to make smoking wicks by companies such as Humboldt Traders and Hemplights. A hemp wick is a length of cord that can be lit and used to light pipes and rolled cigarettes. Hemp wick is preferred by many smokers due to it being a natural alternative to butane lighters. In addition; because hemp doesn’t combust like butane, it won’t affect the flavor of your dry herbs and tobacco. For more reasons why you should use hemp wick, check out our article Hemp Wick: The Accessory You Didn't Know You Needed.

Due to its multiple uses, several American legislators have been fighting for the legalization of hemp farming. In January of 2015, The Industrial Hemp Farming Act was introduced in the House and Senate. If passed, it would remove all federal restrictions on the cultivation of industrial hemp, and remove its classification as a Schedule I controlled substance. This hopefully means we can look forward to more hemp-made products in the future.