Hemp

Textile fibre derived from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa, which also yields oilseeds, and leaves and flowers with psychoactive properties when cultivated differently. Hemp is a bast fibre, grown and processed in a similar way to flax (used for linen), though hemp fibres are longer, stiffer and difficult to dye. Strong, lightweight, shrink-resistant and moisture-absorbent, it is used for making garments as well as footwear, ropes, sacking, canvas and paper; in recent years it is also used to synthesise composites used in construction. Thought to have originated in Central Asia, it was cultivated in China as early as 2800 BCE and popularly used in various parts of the world across history. In the contemporary era hemp production has been affected by various legal restrictions on cannabis cultivation, production and trade.