HempTalk - Business Blogs and Press Releases

The root system of the hemp plant plays a critical role in its growth, resilience, and environmental benefits. Here are the key details: 1. Deep Taproot Hemp develops a primary taproot that can penetrate up to 6–8 feet deep in ideal soil conditions. This deep root structure allows hemp to: Access water from deeper soil layers. Survive drought condi...

1. Shift Toward Industrial Applications Interest is rapidly growing in hemp-based building materials (like hempcrete), bioplastics, textiles, and paper. These sectors are attracting government interest due to their sustainability and carbon-reduction potential. Automotive and construction industries are exploring hemp composites as lightweight, eco...

Hempcrete & Sustainable Building Materials Business Plan  1. Executive Summary Business Name: EcoForm Materials Business Model: Manufacturer and distributor of hemp-based construction materials, including hempcrete blocks, panels, and binder kits. Mission: To lead the sustainable building revolution by producing affordable, carbon-negative...

A recent clinical trial raises questions about the safety of widely consumed CBD capsules, gummies, edibles, oils and lotions that are omnipresent in the United States and many other countries. But pioneer cannabis clinician Bonni Goldstein, MD, cautions patients and physicians not to overstate the findings of the new FDA study, which was published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Below is a summary of the trial results followed by comments from Dr. Goldstein, the CEO and co-founder of GoldsteinWellness.com, a free medical cannabis educational platform for licensed healthcare clinicians, and Medical Director of Canna-Centers in California.

Last year, scientists from the FDA’s Division of Applied Regulatory Science carried out a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial to assess how “low-dose CBD” affects liver function in a group of healthy middle-aged men and women. The results of the trial were recently published by JAMA Internal Medicine. 

Over the course of four weeks, 201 volunteers received either 5 mg per kilogram of body weight (approximately 2.3 mg per pound or the equivalent of 350 mg for a 154-pound individual) of oral CBD isolate, or a placebo for comparison. The CBD dose administered to participants is described in the report as “a typical amount that might be used by consumers.” 

While the vast majority of people in the trial were unaffected, five percent showed greatly elevated levels of the liver enzyme aminotransferase, a known marker of liver cell damage or inflammation. Women appeared to be more vulnerable than men. Those who experienced the most serious liver problems also developed signs of an immune condition called eosinophilia, which occurs when the body produces an excess of a type of white blood cell called eosinophils. In all cases, the liver enzyme levels returned to normal within one or two weeks of stopping CBD.

Elevated levels of liver enzymes were among the leading causes of withdrawal of young epilepsy patients from previous clinical trials involving high doses of Epidiolex, a pharmaceutical CBD isolate. Raised liver enzymes were observed in 14% of participants, who were concurrently taking other anti-epileptic medications, which could have contributed to the adverse liver effects.

Hemp is known for producing a large volume of biomass per acre, making it one of the most productive and versatile crops available. 1. Biomass Yield Per Acre A single acre of hemp can produce between 8 to 12 tons of dry biomass in just one growing season. This includes the stalks, leaves, and sometimes floral material depending on the variety grown...

Hemp's carbon absorption ability is one of its most powerful environmental advantages. Here's how it works and why it matters: How Hemp Absorbs Carbon Hemp captures carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, just like other plants. However, hemp grows very quickly and densely, allowing it to absorb more CO₂ per acre than most c...

Here's a business plan for a Hemp Clothing and Textiles Company, structured to cover key components essential for launching and growing a sustainable, profitable brand: 1. Executive Summary Business Name: GreenThread Apparel Mission: To design and distribute high-quality, eco-friendly clothing and textiles made from sustainable hemp fibers. Vision:...

Here's a detailed CBD-Based Product Lines Business Plan, ideal for launching a wellness or beauty brand using hemp-derived CBD: 1. Executive Summary Business Name: PureLeaf Naturals Business Model: Direct-to-consumer and wholesale sales of CBD-infused wellness products Mission: To create safe, effective, and transparent CBD products that support ho...

Here's a structured Hemp Farm Business Plan designed to help you launch or expand a successful hemp cultivation operation: 1. Executive Summary Business Name: GreenField Hemp Farms Location: [Insert location] Business Type: Industrial Hemp Cultivation Mission Statement: To grow high-quality, compliant hemp for CBD extraction and fiber production, u...

Here's a comprehensive CBD Skincare Business Plan outline tailored for a startup entering the wellness and beauty market with hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) products: 1. Executive Summary Business Name: (e.g., BotaniGlow Skincare) Mission: To deliver premium, natural CBD-infused skincare solutions that promote wellness, radiance, and skin balance. ...

Pest-Resistant – A Key Advantage of Hemp One of hemp's most valuable traits is its natural resistance to many common pests. This characteristic makes it an ideal crop for sustainable and organic farming. Why Hemp Is Pest-Resistant Natural chemical compounds (like terpenes and cannabinoids) help deter many insects and fungal threats. Its rapid growt...

Processing & extraction is one of the most critical and capital-intensive segments of the hemp industry. It serves as the bridge between raw agricultural production and high-value end products—especially in the fiber, seed, and cannabinoid (CBD and others) markets. Here's an in-depth look at what it involves: 1. What Is Hemp Processing? Hemp pr...

Hemp's deep root system is one of its most valuable and underrated characteristics—especially for farmers and environmental planners. Here's a closer look at why it matters: How Deep Do Hemp Roots Go? Hemp roots typically reach 6 to 10 feet deep, depending on soil conditions. The taproot develops quickly, anchoring the plant and allowing access to ...

What Makes Hemp Seeds Nutrient-Dense  1. Complete Plant Protein Hemp seeds provide all nine essential amino acids, making them a complete protein source. About 25–30% of their calories come from protein—more than chia or flax. 2. Healthy Fats Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, particularly gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which supports heart...

Legal Hemp Contains Very Little THC Hemp is legally defined—especially in the United States—as Cannabis sativa with no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) by dry weight. That threshold is important because THC is the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana. Hemp, by contrast, does not produce a "high" and is con...

Definition & Legalization Under federal law, hemp is defined as Cannabis sativa L. that contains no more than 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC by dry weight. Any plant exceeding this threshold is considered marijuana and is not protected under hemp-specific laws. USDA Hemp Production Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees a national ...

Hemp: A 10,000-Year History Ancient Roots Hemp has been cultivated for over 10,000 years, making it one of humanity's first domesticated crops. Archaeologists have found hemp fabric in ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) dating back to 8000 BCE. Ancient Chinese texts describe using hemp for textiles, paper, and medicine as early as 2700 BCE. Glob...

Wade Laughter passed away last week after a long battle with cancer. Beloved within the cannabis community as the modest, softspoken horticulturist with a big heart and a great last name, Wade is one of the unsung heroes of botanical CBD that took root in northern California in the early 2010s. At that time, hardly anyone knew about nonintoxicating cannabidiol and its remarkable therapeutic potential outside of a small group of scientists who were studying the endocannabinoid system. Word about CBD started to spread within medical marijuana circles when a handful of CBD-rich cannabis cultivars were identified by newly established analytical labs servicing the nascent cannabis industry. 

One of these CBD-rich varietals was “Harlequin,” so named by Wade Laughter, who didn’t take credit for breeding it. He said he merely discovered it. And we were very fortunate that he did. With CBD emerging as the exciting new kid on the cannabinoid block, several early adopters who had access to rare CBD-rich genetics were initially skittish about releasing their proprietary property. Not so with Wade Laughter.

Wade didn’t feel like he was the rightful owner of Harlequin. Nor was anyone else. He had been gifted this plant serendipitously, and he would gift it back to the community. He opted to make Harlequin available to anyone who was interested in growing it and exploring its healing attributes. Harlequin clones began to “seed” the California cannabis landscape, and soon Wade’s gift popped up in other states, as well. Thus began an unsupervised, mass-based medical experiment, a grassroots laboratory experiment in democracy, enabled by Laughter’s decision to share Harlequin with the world. 

What would happen when a lot of people consumed CBD-rich cannabis?  The preclinical science — attesting to the compound’s anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, anti-tumoral, neuroprotective, and analgesic properties — was nothing short of jaw-dropping. Thus far, however, most of the scientific studies involved single-molecule CBD tested on mice, rather than whole-plant CBD-rich cannabis flower and oil extract, which is what Wade was providing in California. 

I grew some Harlequin in my backyard in 2011 and 2012. It was a squat, indica-looking plant, three-and-a-half-feet tall, very bushy with huge odiferous purple-pinkish colas oozing medicated goo that contained a significant amount of both CBD and THC. This gorgeous botanical tested at close to a 1:1 CBD:THC ratio. The CBD:THC ratio, which fluctuated from garden to garden, was influenced by how long these plants stayed in the ground. (A somewhat earlier harvest might register 3:2 CBD:THC, while a later harvest might shift it to 2:3 CBD:THC.) 

Hemp is one of the most versatile crops on the planet, capable of being transformed into thousands of everyday products across multiple industries. Its fibers, seeds, and oils each serve unique functions, making it a valuable resource in food, construction, textiles, health, and beyond. Here's a Look at What Hemp Can Do: 1. Textiles and Fabric...

Here's what makes a plant or crop fast-growing, and why it matters in agriculture, gardening, and sustainability: 1. Short Time to Maturity Fast-growing plants reach harvest or bloom in a relatively short time—often within 30 to 120 days. This allows for multiple harvests per year in the right climate. Examples: Radishes (20–30 days), lettuce (30–4...