National Hemp Day is observed annually on February 4th to recognize and celebrate the past, present, and future roles of hemp in our lives. cbdMD founded the holiday in 2019 as a way to build awareness about the value of hemp, the farmers who work so hard to produce it, the innovators who use it in new and unexpected ways, and anyone who finds hemp useful in its many forms.
Industrial hemp became a federally legal crop from coast to coast in late 2018 with the signing of a new Farm Bill. The new rules on low-THC cannabis paved the way for hemp-derived products – ranging from cloth and building materials to hemp extracts like CBD oils – to become more readily available to all Americans.
So let’s take a closer look at why cbdMD founded National Hemp Day and how you can celebrate the occasion.
Why Did cbdMD Create National Hemp Day?
Industrial hemp is a strain of Cannabis sativa, which leads to a lot of confusion. cbdMD created Hemp Day as a way to build awareness about what hemp is, the products made with it, and how people can use those products in their daily lives.
What is Hemp?
Hemp is a variety of cannabis that contains only traces of intoxicating THC. In other words, it doesn’t cause humans or animals to experience mind-altering effects when consumed. According to United States federal law, hemp can only contain up to 0.3 percent THC. Otherwise, it’s considered illegal marijuana.
But while hemp contains only tiny amounts of THC, CBD is still abundant.
What Can You Make with Hemp?
Hemp is most commonly associated with the consumer CBD products you can find in shops and online. They range from CBD oil tinctures, capsules, and other supplements to skincare products. You can even get hemp-derived CBD oil for your cats and dogs!
If you’d like to learn more about CBD specifically, be sure to read our “What is CBD?” and “CBD Benefits” pages.
Alongside hemp’s chemical components, industrial hemp fibers are used in the making of cloth, rope, and many other useful things.
How Do People Use Hemp Products?
When it comes to wellness products made from hemp, smart CBD users know it’s best to use CBD every day as part of a healthy lifestyle. Simply taking your favorite CBD gummy every day won’t provide a forward path to good health. CBD users get the best results when they take it alongside a smart diet, frequent exercise, good sleep habits, and stress-relief techniques.
As it pertains to hemp fiber products, they’re only starting to see a resurgence. We’ll talk more about advancements in the hemp fiber industry below.
How Can You Celebrate National Hemp Day?
You don’t have to decorate your house or dress up in a costume. Instead, there are more practical ways to celebrate Hemp Day. Learning more about new uses for hemp, talking about hemp with others, and trying a new hemp-derived product are all great ways to celebrate!
Learn More About Advancements in Hemp
You may think you know all there is to know about hemp, but we’re prepared to wager that there’s something new for you to learn. For instance, did you know that hemp is useful to make bioplastics? Maybe you can learn more about hemp-based building materials like 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 Buyers Guide. It’s full of valuable information that will help you make an informed choice.
Engage Your Elected Representatives
Though hemp is now legal at the federal level in the United States, there are still barriers in place. If your state or local government places restrictions on hemp farming, processing, or usage, you can write or call your representatives. Let them know your thoughts. You can even speak with your senator or congressperson in Washington D.C. to let them know that you support measures that would formally recognize CBD as a dietary supplement and food additive under FDA rules.
If you’d like to see cannabis become less regulated in general, you can join an advocacy group. It’s a growing movement, and your participation could really make a difference!
Try Something New
If you’ve been curious to try hemp-derived CBD, there’s no better day than today. And CBD products pair well with lifestyle changes since it’s beneficial in a post-exercise recovery routine or daily relaxation ritual.
Even if you already use CBD regularly, National Hemp Day is a great opportunity to try a different delivery method. If you’re using an ingestible method like capsules, gummies, or tinctures, you may find that topicals provide a more targeted approach after strenuous days at work or in the gym.
Conversely, maybe you’ve relied on topicals, like our cbdMD Recover formula. You might find our tinctures particularly useful as an everyday maintenance-based approach to your needs.
And what about pets? Your furry family members may need a little support as well. Luckily, Paw CBD for pets (powered by cbdMD) offers a wide range of options for our snuggle buddies!
However you choose to celebrate, we wish you a Happy National Hemp Day!