Botany

Hemp is an annual, herbaceous plant characterised by its distinct morphology. The plant typically features a tall, sturdy stem with branches and palmate leaves arranged spirally along the stem. The leaves are compound, consisting of serrated leaflets. Hemp exhibits dioecious properties, meaning male and female reproductive organs are borne on separate plants.

Hemp varieties can be broadly categorised based on their primary usage. Fibre varieties are cultivated for their long, sturdy stalks, which produce high-quality fibres suitable for textiles, paper, and construction materials. Seed varieties focus on maximizing seed production, yielding hemp seeds rich in essential fatty acids, proteins, and other nutrients. Dual-purpose varieties aim to balance fibre and seed production.

All Cannabis sativa L. plants contain secondary compounds known as phytocannabinoids, with over 100 different types. The cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the most abundant, with the first being narcotic while the second having no such effects.

In almost all jurisdictions around the world, the THC level serves as a threshold to distinguish between industrial hemp and medical/recreational cannabis. Therefore, industrial hemp could be defined as a Cannabis sativa L. plant, with a concentration of the compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) below a regulated maximum level.