For centuries, hemp was valued as a raw material for manufacturing clothing and fashion items. But that was before the Marijuana Tax Act was introduced in 1930. This law brought its development to a halt in the USA, and later in Europe, when authorities classified hemp as a drug. This was sufficient reason to prohibit the plant for decades. At least until 1970, since from then on, the plant once again attracted the interest of manufacturers, who discovered it to be a valuable asset. Why is hemp being used again in the manufacture of fashion items? As mentioned earlier, the United States banned the cultivation, import, and export of hemp starting in the 1930s. This situation also occurred in Europe when authorities decided to include it on the list of narcotics, alongside cannabis indica. Since then, various strategies have been implemented to ban the use and cultivation of hemp in all its forms. Ultimately, this plant was virtually eradicated for years. However, its absence was quickly felt.
Americans and Europeans realized that hemp plays a major role in the textile industry. This was largely due to World War II, which caused a surge in demand for fabric, particularly for shoelaces, parachutes, and soldiers’ uniforms.
Faced with this reality, authorities recognized the usefulness of hemp. This is what prompted them to give it a second chance, by encouraging its cultivation among farmers.
What efforts are the authorities making to restore hemp’s image?
The mistake was believing that hemp is a psychoactive substance. Studies have proven that this variety should not be considered in the same way as Cannabis indica. The authorities have recognized this and made it their mission to improve hemp’s image.
It was primarily from the 1960s onward that the
National Federation of Hemp Producers
and INRAE (National Institute for Agricultural Research) launched a new program. This program aimed to select specific hemp varieties. These varieties contain only a relatively low level of psychoactive substances in their cells.Namely,
the content of which in the plant is now limited to
0.3%
for its use to be legal.
What are the major advantages of hemp? By respecting the legal limit of 0.3% THC, hemp has obtained the green light from the authorities for industrial production. In this sector, it’s clear that professionals tend to favor the manufacture of fabrics and fashion items. The reason is that they can rely on key factors to ensure the sector’s development:
An eco-responsible activity; Consumers who find it beneficial;
