CHAPTER 1
The History of Hemp: Following the Evidence
O
ur first lesson begins right now with what exactly hemp is. I will use the words cannabis and hemp inter‑ changeably because hemp is simply a type of cannabis. Specifically, hemp is Cannabis sativa in which the THC level is below 0.3 percent. If the THC level goes above 0.3 per‑ cent, it is no longer considered “hemp” and is instead “Cannabis sativa” and therefore a federal crime. Yes, seriously. With how the current federal laws read in 2020 while writ‑ ing this book, this is the difference between legal and illegal. This is the only difference between what we call hemp and what we call cannabis. Hemp crops coming in with a higher percentage of THC must be destroyed. This legal distinc‑ tion between hemp and Cannabis sativa was established by the United States Agricultural Act of 2014. According to the 9
