International Hemp Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

International Hemp Day is observed annually on April 21 to recognise the contributions of hemp and its benefits. Since the fifth millennium BCE, hemp has been utilised in the production of clothing, ropes, sandals, and paper. Hemp, also known as industrial hemp, is a cannabinoid plant that is predominantly grown for industrial and medicinal purposes. Hemp contains a small quantity of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical compound that produces the “high” in marijuana. There are numerous industrial applications for hemp, including rope, bioplastics, footwear, paper, textiles, and hempcrete. Its seeds are ingested as a nutritious food, and its seed milk can replace dairy milk. Along with bamboo, hemp is the fastest-growing vegetation.

The background of International Hemp Day

Prior to the introduction of agriculture, the earliest use of hemp dates back to between nine and fifty thousand years ago. According to specialists, hemp was cultivated throughout the northern latitudes during the Neolithic period, from Europe to East Asia, and may have been one of the first plants to be cultivated. In Neolithic China, hemp was utilised for the production of clothing, harnesses, footwear, and early forms of paper. Herodotus, a classical Greek historian, described how Scythians used hemp seeds for exhilaration and ritual purposes during burials in the fifth century B.C. According to Herodotus, Scythians would congregate in a tent, toss hemp seeds onto hot stones, and inhale the resulting smoke.

During the Renaissance, hemp was primarily cultivated for its fibres in Europe. They were utilised for ship cords, including Christopher Columbus’s. Europeans also produced clothing from hemp, but this was primarily done in rural areas. The Spaniards introduced hemp to the Americas, including Chile, Peru, Columbia, and Mexico, in the 16th century. However, the produce was only profitable in Chile.

By the 17th century, cannabis was already being cultivated in the United States. The Marihuana Tax of 1937, enacted by the U.S. government in 1937, severely restricted the production and use of hemp, cannabis, and marijuana. During World War II, the United States Department of Agriculture removed the tariff on hemp cultivation, enabling its widespread use in uniforms, canvas, and rope. In 1994, Executive Order 12919 designated cannabis as a strategic national product that the United States should stockpile. In the 21st century, cannabis, which includes hemp and marijuana, was legalised for medical and recreational use in Canada, South Africa, Uruguay, and Mexico, as well as in a few states and territories in the United States.

DAY OF INTERNATIONAL HEMP ACTIVITIES

Purchase hemp products

The purchase of hemp products is one method to observe International Hemp Day. This will encourage hemp producers and businesses to continue producing these goods, given that there is a market for them. Purchase a hemp skincare bundle, clothing, or hemp-based foods at an organic supermarket in your area. You can also purchase these items from websites like Amazon.

Increase awareness of hemp’s advantages

If you can attest to the benefits of hemp, you can promote it on International Hemp Day. This could be accomplished via podcasts or a forum on Twitter Space or Clubhouse. You can also host a radio talk programme or write a column for your local newspaper.

Attend a Cannabis Fest

Each year, hemp festivals are held around the world to honour hemp products, raise funds for hemp campaigns and research, and unite hemp advocates. International Hemp Day can be observed by attending one of the Hemp Fests in your region. Later this year, Hemp Fests will be held in Atlanta, Minnesota, and Asheville for residents of the United States.

5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT HEMP

Hemp cannot induce intoxication because it contains only trace quantities of THC.

Hemp contains the same quantity of protein as beef, as well as all other essential nutrients.

According to the North American Hemp Council, hemp can be used to manufacture over 250,000 different products.

As a building material, hemp can be combined with limestone and water to create hempcrete.

China is the world’s largest producer of hemp, with a $200 million industry.

INTERNATIONAL HEMP DAY DATES

Year	Date	Day
2023	April 21	Friday
2024	April 21	Sunday
2025	April 21	Monday
2026	April 21	Tuesday
2027	April 21	Wednesday