Fossil Fuels in Modern Day America

“The inflation crisis was caused by massive overspending and escalating energy prices, and that is why today I will also declare a national energy emergency. We will drill, baby, drill. America will be a manufacturing nation once again, and we have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have — the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on earth — and we are going to use it.” 

This excerpt from Donald Trump’s Inaugural Address on January 20, 2025, amplified the fire already lit in me to double down on my company’s commitment to hemp and the natural fiber industry. Anact, a premier producer of hemp and cotton towels, is putting the brakes on fossil fuels in the textile industry and is, instead, fueling the growth of renewable supply chains.

While human consumption of fossil fuels for expendable energy—whether in the form of oil and gas, natural gas, or coal—constitutes the largest category of fossil fuel products in the US, there is one category that often slips under the radar of public consciousness: the use of petroleum-derived synthetic fibers in textiles.

Reimagining the Textile Industry 

Despite this cognitive dissociation, there is no beating around the math (or hemp stalk) any longer. The textile industry is one of the biggest contributors to the climate crisis, and is largely driven by the petroleum industry, as synthetic petroleum-derived textiles are cheap to produce as a byproduct of fossil fuel extraction. The fossil fuel industry’s depletion and contamination of natural resources like water, and the increased incidents of climate-driven, supply chain-disrupting, catastrophic weather incidents has created a critical problem that we need to collectively address.

However, there is a positive path forward. Currently, the global hemp fiber market is experiencing remarkable expansion, expected to reach more than $30 billion in less than 10 years. The textile industry is the main driver of this market expansion, according to a recent global market research report, presenting consumers and businesses a viable sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived fiber.

From financial investors to climate activists, we need all hands on deck, while not letting perfection be the enemy of good. The textile industry is one in which 80 percent of textile workers are women and where the buying power is made up mostly of women. By redirecting the capital, energy, and conviction that is needed to usher in industries like hemp textiles, instead of bending over backwards for the oil industry, we have the opportunity to reduce harm and generate value, today and for future generations. 

Hemp Offers A Solution: Decarbonizing the Textile Supply Chain

Hemp is an industrial fiber crop better compared to flax (grown for food and linen), that can grow up to ten feet tall and uses little water to cultivate. It was grown by the Romans, used by Henry Ford to create automobile prototypes, and was the textile fiber of choice for Betsy Ross to sew the American flag, to name just a few of hemp’s applications. At Anact, we love hemp because it’s incredibly durable, resists the growth of bacteria, and is very breathable. Hemp is also one of the fastest growing biomasses in the world: when you grow one acre of hemp compared to one acre of conventional cotton, you get two-to-three times the yield at a fraction of the cost, which saves money and resources while increasing profit margins.  

Hemp was made illegal in 1937 in the US under the Marijuana Tax Act and re-legalized for commercial use in 2018 under the Farm Act. Hemp is more sustainable than popularized bamboo textiles because bamboo fiber requires a chemical solvent to turn it into a yarn, thereby making it synthetic.  

Our focus on re-introducing hemp as a major economic contributor to the food, fiber, and fuel industries is not only because of its fantastic performance features and increased profit margins, but also because hemp sequesters carbon at rates similar to a young forest, but with a far shorter growth cycle. Hemp offers a solution rather than a compromise. 

* Please note that I do think there is value in the recycled synthetic industry but due to the increasing temperatures and rising sea levels, the prioritization of investment in regenerative agriculture industries takes precedence at Anact.  

By investing in alternative textile crops like hemp, we can have the following impact: 

• Hemp needs 90 percent less water than conventional crops and doesn’t require pesticides 
• Hemp restores our soil while it grows, improves water retention, biodiversity, and organic carbon, and pulls out pollution
• Hemp sequesters carbon in soil, whereas petroleum-derived synthetic fibers release carbon into the atmosphere

Anact’s Vision 

We have the opportunity at Anact, as a nimble and emerging brand, to set the standard for how things should be. This is the beauty of being a start-up in an industry that has great potential to impact sustainability with hemp and regenerative practices. We are creating an ecosystem that is value-added for farmers, employees, customers, banks, and more, which will only be made possible with capital investment and supportive policy. 

Anact has successfully helped pass legislation to grow hemp in Florida, pitched the opportunity that hemp presents to various investment partners, and built a small but mighty group of angel investors, employees, customers, and advisors who believe in the vision and opportunity in front of us. 

In addition to the harmful lessons we’ve learned from fossil fuels, Trump’s current tariff war is providing consumers a baseline education on supply chains and the global product manufacturing landscape. It’s spotlighting how underpriced many products have been for too long. It’s finally catching the attention of the investment communities, whose hyper-fixation on investing in AI and tech-based startups have prevented them from paying attention to other industries and solving real world problems like the textile industry, which is valued at $2 trillion and is a space ripe for disruption. As the Founder and CEO of Anact, I believe that there has never been a better time (especially for women) to lead and reimagine the textile industry. It’s our only option.

::Anact

Brianna Kilcullen is the founder and CEO of Anact, a producer of sustainable towels made from hemp and organic cotton. Brianna is a symbol of how small choices can spark systemic change, and is a leading voice advocating for regenerative, localized manufacturing and the opportunity of hemp to revolutionize the textile supply chain. Her mission is to challenge the outdated systems of the industry and inspire others to act by creating products, policies, and partnerships that prioritize people and the planet. Prior to starting Anact, Brianna worked in the apparel industry for prAna, a subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear and Under Armour. She is a proud citizen in the US and Ireland, and has traveled to more than 40 countries, working in factories on almost every continent. Brianna has appeared on numerous podcasts and in online publications like Politico. Brianna has authored opinion pieces and writes her own blog.

The post Hemp Textiles Pave the Way for a Regenerative Economy  appeared first on Green Prophet.

In today’s world, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. But living an eco-conscious lifestyle isn’t just good for the planet; it can also be great for your wallet. Many people assume that going green means spending more, but in reality, a well-planned green budget can lead to significant savings over time. Whether it’s reducing energy bills, cutting down on waste, or making mindful purchases, green budgeting is a win-win strategy for both your finances and the environment.

Understanding Green Budgeting

Green budgeting is the practice of aligning your financial decisions with environmentally friendly choices. It’s about being mindful of where your money goes and how your lifestyle impacts the planet. Instead of viewing sustainability as an added expense, think of it as a strategic way to save money while making ethical choices.

The Power of Small Changes

You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight to start benefiting from a green budget. Small, consistent changes add up over time. Let’s explore some areas where sustainability and saving money go hand in hand.

1. Energy Efficiency: Lower Bills, Higher Savings

One of the easiest ways to cut costs while living sustainably is by reducing energy consumption. Simple steps like switching to LED bulbs, unplugging electronics when not in use, and using energy-efficient appliances can lower electricity bills.

Example: I once replaced all the incandescent bulbs in my home with LED lights. The upfront cost was slightly higher, but within a few months, my energy bill dropped noticeably. Over time, I saved hundreds of dollars while consuming less power.

2. Sustainable Transportation: Save on Gas and Maintenance

Owning and maintaining a car is expensive. Gas prices fluctuate, and maintenance costs can add up quickly. By opting for public transportation, carpooling, biking, or even walking when possible, you can save a substantial amount.

Example: My friend, Sarah, decided to ditch her car in favor of a bicycle for her daily commute. Not only did she save on gas and maintenance, but she also improved her health and reduced her carbon footprint.

3. Mindful Grocery Shopping: Reduce Waste, Save Money

Food waste is a huge issue, both environmentally and financially. By planning meals, buying in bulk, and choosing locally sourced foods, you can cut down on waste and save money.

Tip: Try meal prepping for the week. It helps you stick to a grocery list, avoids impulse buys, and minimizes food waste.

Example: I once calculated how much I was spending on food waste each month, and it shocked me. By being more intentional about meal planning and storing food properly, I managed to save at least $100 a month, which immediately was redirected into a secure savings account. 

4. Thrift Shopping and Minimalism: Quality Over Quantity

Fast fashion and impulse buying are not only costly but also harmful to the environment. Choosing second-hand clothing, repairing items instead of replacing them, and embracing minimalism can lead to long-term financial benefits.

Example: A few years ago, I started shopping at thrift stores instead of buying new clothes every season. I found high-quality brands for a fraction of the price, and my wardrobe became more unique and sustainable.

5. DIY and Reuse: Get Creative and Save

Instead of purchasing new household items or constantly buying disposable products, try DIY solutions and reusable alternatives. From homemade cleaning supplies to repurposing old furniture, there are countless ways to save money and reduce waste.

Example: Instead of buying paper towels, I invested in reusable cloth wipes. Over time, this small change saved me hundreds of dollars and significantly reduced my household waste.

Long-Term Green Investments That Pay Off

While some eco-friendly changes require an initial investment, they often lead to long-term savings.

• Solar Panels: While costly upfront, they can drastically reduce (or even eliminate) electricity bills.
• Smart Home Technology: Programmable thermostats and energy-efficient appliances pay for themselves over time.
• Electric Vehicles (EVs): Although pricier than gas-powered cars, they save money on fuel and maintenance in the long run.

Final Thoughts: Green Living = Smart Financial Planning

Green budgeting is not about making sacrifices; it’s about making smarter choices. When you align your spending with sustainability, you naturally cut down on waste, save money, and contribute to a healthier planet. The key is to start small and build from there—every little effort counts.

By embracing an eco-conscious lifestyle, you’re not just helping the environment; you’re also securing a financially sustainable future. So why not start today? Your wallet—and the planet—will thank you.

The post Green Budgeting: How an Eco-Conscious Lifestyle Can Help You Save More appeared first on Green Prophet.

The Californian fires are devastating and no doubt families will want to rebuild what was lost. There is a lot of talk on social media platforms, like by investor Bill Ackman who is looking to invest in AI technologies to predict and help drones stop fires. But sometimes, vernacular building and sound ecological practices can save the day before technology, in a space called low-tech.

Fire hydrants and water packed drones might put out a fire if caught in time, but disaster-proofing your future might be a sound and sustainable move. Hemp blocks, also known as hempcrete are already on the market and are eco-friendly and sustainable construction materials composed of hemp, lime, and water.

In a recent study scientists look at the fire behaviour and structural performance of hemp-based materials in varying formats. They tested raw hemp shives, hemp blocks, and non-load-bearing hemp block walls.

Researchers tested how various kinds of hemp reacted in fire safety and strength tests. 

The study found that hemp blocks don’t catch fire with open flames but rather just smolder slowly, producing very little smoke. In fact, walls made of hemp blocks stayed structurally intact for 2 hours during fire tests.

Tests conducted include cone calorimeter, bomb calorimeter, standard furnace, heat-transfer rating inducing system (H-TRIS), and small-scale elevated temperature material tests. Hemp shives exhibit ignition with sustained flaming, a relatively high heat release rate (HRR), and a relatively low critical heat flux (CHF).

However, the hemp blocks exhibited no flaming ignition, only smouldering combustion, and an HRR an order of magnitude lower. Hemp blocks and hemp shives produced minimal smoke. Hemp blocks charred, and associated discoloration zones have been documented. Tests indicate that limited structural capacity is lost up until 200 °C, whereas at 300 °C, the residual material strength is almost negligible.

Their conclusions were that the hemp block walls maintained their structural stability and integrity for 2 hours of standard fire testing. The ambient-temperature compressive strength of the hemp blocks was determined to be 1.0 MPa. This work is the first comprehensive study on the fire behaviour of hemp blocks and highlights their good performance, whereby they are likely to have a limited impact on fire risk in buildings.

Plastered walls will have a fire performance exceeding those reported in the study, the researchers say. The work was reported in the Journal of Building Engineering.

The research was led by Yohannes Werkina Shewalul and Richard Walls from Stellenbosch University, South Africa. 

Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a plant in the botanical class of Cannabis sativa cultivars grown specifically for industrial and consumable use. It can be used to make a wide range of products. Along with bamboo, hemp is among the fastest growing plants on Earth which makes a great, hearty, sustainable fiber. It has taken nations years to recognize hemp as a viable building and material alternative because tiny amounts of the active ingredient of THC can be found in hemp.

Companies producing hemp blocks:

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The pandemic has changed the lives of many – some lost their job, while some are on the brink of losing their minds. This is natural given the fact that, in some countries, people were under strict lockdown rules that prevented them from leaving the house.

Naturally, if you’re not cut for a solitary or indoor lifestyle, you’ll soon see the effects of a lockdown on your mental health. Obviously, mental health is not something to toy with.

As such, in the following lines, we’ll tell you some of the things you can do to take care of your mental health during the pandemic!

Watch Less News

Lockdown and quarantine come with one main thing – namely, increased anxiety, especially when related to pandemic-related news. This is why most specialists recommend taking a break from the news and/or watch channels that actually tell the news and not fake news.

Overall, limit the amount of stressful information you receive – the 5 am news should be just enough for a daily update.

Take Care of Your Body

Instead of falling into a slumber, it’s essential to take care of your physical health – because the mental one can’t operate properly without being guided by a healthy body.

As such, do your best to avoid junk and fast-food, keep your meals regular and healthy, sleep for at least 8 hours a night (looking for a new bed – try Avocado organic mattresses), engage in exercise, and, most importantly, don’t give in to alcohol or medication (antidepressants and so on). Look for some of the best nootropic choline supplements to regulate your internal balance. You can also monitor how well you are getting on in the night with a sleep calculator.  Though getting into nature and just digging into the soil might be the best natural medicine in the world.

Take Care of Your Mind

As mentioned above, stress and anxiety are two by-products of the pandemic and its restrictions. Luckily, thanks to this pandemic, a lot of companies/services with recreational purposes have significantly developed.

If you visit a CBD clinic, you’ll see that now you can freely enjoy CBD products (depending on where you live) and let them help you have a clearer mind that is free of stress, potential depression, and anxiety.

Talk to Other People

If you live alone, you must talk regularly to other people. Believe it or not, even small chitchat with a person you may not be that fond of can really help you eliminate bad thoughts and anxiety.

When you spend two, three, or more weeks locked up in your home without any sort of contact with another person, you slowly start to lose your mind. As such, go online, find a chat platform or forums, and engage in some healthy human-to-human conversations!

The Bottom Line

Mental health is basically what gets us going every single day. If we do not take care of it, we’ll soon experience behavioral changes and, before you know it, you’ll change your entire lifestyle.

All because you let the pandemic and its restrictions change your usual schedule too much. Keep in mind that, despite all the restrictions, there are still plenty of alternatives through which you can continue to have a close-to-normal lifestyle and a healthy body/mind!

The post How to Take Care of Your Mental Health During the Pandemic appeared first on Green Prophet.

If there’s one thing that CBD companies have in common, it’s their deep-seated desire to help their customers. Why else would you get into such a niche (but growing) industry? So, if you are in the CBD industry, you already care about providing the cleanest, perhaps most organic products you can, and that desire to do what is best for the human body likely bleeds into a desire to do what is best for the earth as well. 

However, building sustainable business practices that protect the health of the earth isn’t always easy, especially when you are working in an industry that relies heavily on the gifts mother nature gives us. When you sell a product like CBD and seek to run an eco-friendly company, not only do you need to worry about how to keep your packaging and shipping practices sustainable, but you need to make sure your farmer’s growing practices protect the environment as well.

If the idea of creating a sustainable CBD business has your head spinning, never fear. There are a few simple things you can do as a business owner to ensure that your product doesn’t unintentionally disparage the environment from the time the hemp seeds are planted to the time your customer uses the last bit of their product and disposes of the packaging. Keep reading for some fresh ideas to keep sustainability at the forefront of your mind throughout your CBD production process. 

Sustainable Farming Practices

One of the best parts of working in the CBD industry is the sustainable attributes of the hemp plant. Hemp farmers don’t have to do much to ensure their practices are sustainable because the plant takes care of a lot of the headache for them. 

For example, hemp uses 50% less water than cotton, making it a much more eco-friendly crop. And, not only does hemp produce lifestyle products like CBD oil, but it can also be used to make things like paper and clothing much more sustainably. So, by increasing the demand for hemp in general by running your own CBD company, you are allowing farmers to make the switch to a crop that will lead to more sustainable consumption in the future. 

Not only does the hemp plant cause less damage to the earth, but it also actually improves the soil it grows in, in many cases removing toxins from the soil. Because of its hardy profile, hemp can be grown in almost any environment, whether it is in the deserts of the western United States or the more rain-drenched eastern seaboard. This is because hemp plants grow long, deep roots which actually help stabilize the soil around them, preventing erosion and retaining nutrients. Additionally, hemp is already naturally resistant to most pests, allowing farmers to avoid using harmful pesticides and chemicals in their fields. 

Sustainable Extraction Practices

If you are familiar with CBD extraction methods, you know that there are many ways to harness the power of the hemp plant and bottle it up for your customers’ consumption. You can use CO2, solvents, or even olive oil to extract CBD from the plant before putting it into your products. 

When you hear the term “CO2” in conjunction with sustainability conversations, it’s usually considered a bad word. After all, we are often talking about reducing CO2 emissions or our carbon footprint when it comes to building a greener society. However, while it may not seem like it from the name, CO2 extraction is actually the most environmentally-friendly option. 

This is because the CO2 extraction process produces the safest, purest CBD without leaving behind any toxic residues, like the solvent method might. Plus, it doesn’t tap into our limited olive oil supply. The only drawback to using the CO2 method is that it requires specific equipment and expertise. This investment is completely worth it, though, if you’re looking to create a sustainable CBD product. 

Sustainable Distribution Practices

Once you’ve extracted your CBD, you’re ready to put it into products. Whether you’re focusing on tinctures, gummies, topical products, or all of the above, there is a lot you can do on the distribution side of the CBD business to ensure your practices are sustainable. 

First, think about your packaging. In what ways can you reduce the amount of material that is not recyclable or reusable? Can you put your tinctures and gummies in glass containers, or offer a send-back program for your packaging that incentivizes customers to participate with a small discount? If you sell CBD bath bombs, can you wrap them in recycled paper rather than shrink-wrapped plastic? 

If your company owns a storefront, think about the ways you can make your brick-and-mortar practices eco-friendly as well. Perhaps you can pin some QR codes with a link to your product offerings rather than printing menus and brochures. Again, you could also incentivize your customers to bring back the containers once they finish the products so that you can wash and reuse them. 

If you find yourself filling and shipping a lot of orders, there are ways to keep that part of your business sustainable as well. You’ve likely been hearing a lot of news lately about big companies like Amazon and Apple going carbon neutral in their shipping policies, and you can get in on this practice as well. Shipping something “carbon neutral” means that while sending it on a truck somewhere might add to your carbon footprint, you (or the company you ship through) is doing something to offset those carbon emissions, like planting trees. UPS currently offers a carbon neutral shipping service, or you can team up with an app like Shop by Arrive to allow your customers to choose carbon neutral options. 

Sustainability Is Key

Climate change issues are not just simply going to go away on their own—as business owners, we must consciously make an effort if we want to affect real change. Luckily, there is a lot you can do in this day and age to reduce your—and your CBD company’s—carbon footprint. Taking even one of these steps can really make a difference. 

If you are in the market for CBD for personal use, you can also think about choosing a sustainably-minded company to purchase your products from. One such company is Joy Organics. All of their products are premium grade, broad spectrum, and tested by third party labs, so you can trust that you are getting the best of the best. Plus, you’ll be supporting the hemp industry, which just might be a major answer to our global climate crisis.

The post How CBD companies can be more sustainable appeared first on Green Prophet.

Parkour, singing and dancing– all ready for Haptic Path’s hemp-based, slow fashion  for men and women

Every once and a while you meet somehow who inspires – like Ondi in India. They are all over the world and you will find them if you are listening. They are people who listen to that inner voice, some of us call intuition, and who build something that helps others participate in building a new reality.

Today we are going to talk with Nina Skibnevsky, founder of Haptic Path, a sustainable clothing line – for women and men – made in Israel for body, soul and mind. She is launching her business online and has a story to share, one that may inspire you to buy clothes that suit your movement in body and sustainable fashion purchases. She also runs the Facebook group Eco-friendly Israel.

She considers that your clothes should reflect your life, how you move and where you move.

“My dream is to continue creating clothes that make the body sing and dance! To make clothes in which you can move effortlessly, look regal, and be confident in,” Skibnevsky tells Green Prophet.

Consider that when you buy clothes today at H&M or Forever21 you mainly contribute to a cycle of abuse of people and children, and the environment too. Clothes that are made for women and men today and sold in mainstream shops are built to distort and contort the body image and self-esteem –– to uphold an unrealistic quest of creating the ultimate image. They are also built to throwaway next season, like last year’s top model. They are not made slow; they are not made to last.

Green Prophet: Tell us more about you.

I’m Nina Skibnevsky, and my journey to become a fashion designer came from a life-long passion with fashion. I grew up in Moscow but spent lots of time in nature. From childhood I dreamt about being a designer. I went to University to study Environmental Psychology and shortly after, I opened my wings and traveled the world for several years with my daughter. 

I decided to retire my backpacking life 8 years ago and settle in Israel. 

Why was it important for you to put your energy into clothes?

I believe in style, high-quality and the freedom of movement; I prize equity, sustainability, and eco-living; I treasure nature, the ability to travel and to connect to the beauty of the world. In my wanderings, I have witnessed many ecological issues first hand and believe it is essential to create with our planet in mind. 

My aspiration is not just to make beautiful and comfortable apparel, but also to live my dreams and values – and, of course, to change the world!

Tell us about some of the problems with the clothing industry today? 

I would mention three:

1) The business model of fast fashion brands pushes people to buy without thinking, to buy emotionally and to throw away after, because the garment falls out of trend and you need to keep up. This manipulative strategy was a king of marketing for many years and it’s destroying not only the environment, but the ability of each person to ask him/herself important questions (what do I like? how do I want to feel?) and to find his/her own path.

2) The world of fabrics is very diverse nowadays, but most options are made of polyester, which is the same as plastic bottles and will remain in the landfill much longer than a human’s life.

3) Most of the production is taking place in Asia, where people work very hard and are paid very little; they struggle to afford life’s most basic necessities.This is because the majority of today’s fashion brands and retailers do not own their manufacturing facilities. Fashion supply chains are highly globalised, complex and untransparent. 

How is Haptic Path different than whatever else is out there?

My brand’s slogan is “Free motion in body and mind”.

I believe that elegance and comfort should go hand-in-hand. Haptic Path’s clothes are created by a Psychologist (that’s me!)  to empower people, to inspire them to move forward to their dreams and to stay in harmony with their body. For years I was practicing yoga, contemporary dance, butoh. When you are present in your body, aware of its feelings, you simply can’t wear uncomfy clothes. For me, this is true mindfulness and it’s one of the basics of the Haptic Path brand. I chose 100% natural and one of the most environmentally friendly and strong fabrics – hemp. All the items are made to last long and to look great in many different functions so that they become like a home to your body. 

What’s going on in Israel that concerns you?

The most common misconception is that clothes should be cheap.  Clothes are now like a helium balloon – one minute happiness.  It’s not true. If it’s cheap it means that the producer used fabric and a dyeing process that damages the environment; it might be produced in sweatshops and most likely it is not healthy.

It’s a question of values. Everyone going to their job expects fair payment. The same with workers in the fashion industry. 

Every item makes a very long journey to your wardrobe. It’s worth investing time to learn more about a brand and its values and to choose your clothes consciously.

Haptic Path is crowdfunding

Haptic Path is organizing a crowdfunding campaign for their new organic collection, “Less is More”. Find it here. Donations come with a reward item of your choice. 

The post Fashioned from Hemp appeared first on Green Prophet.

The hemp industry is booming, and an increasing number of acres of farmland that were once used for other crops are being handed over to hemp farmers. For both hemp smokers and environmental activists, however, some of the attributes of outdoor-grown hemp might be less than ideal. Check out these five simple reasons that indoor hemp flower is better for our bodies and the ecosystems that surround us.

1. It’s better for soil

Hemp is a bioaccumulator, which means that it sucks contaminants out of soil. At first glance, this attribute might make it seem like hemp and making hemp oil is good for soil, but contaminants aren’t the only substances that Cannabis sativa accumulates. If you choose to grow hemp indoors, there are many advantages to using a hydroponic system.

In addition to removing contaminants, hemp also removes everything else present in soil including nutrients. Once nutrients are stripped from soil by greedy crops like hemp, it can take generations for them to regenerate. When multiple hemp crops are grown in succession in the same soil, nutrient depletion can become so severe that growing crops in that area again becomes impossible.

Indoor-grown hemp, on the other hand, is commonly grown in small pots of topsoil, which leaves vital tracts of farmland fully intact. It’s even possible to grow indoor hemp hydroponically, and this method does not use any soil whatsoever.

2. It’s more efficient

Indoor-grown hemp flower produces 2-3 times the cannabinoids as outdoor-grown flower. Therefore, indoor-grown flower can be used to make more than twice the number of finished products as outdoor-grown flower, and the effects of indoor-grown hemp flower are also more than twice as potent as those offered by outdoor-grown hemp flower.

As a result, indoor hemp cultivators can grow less flower but still provide better results than outdoor hemp cultivators. This increase in efficiency is better for the environment, and hemp bud that’s more potent is also a better deal for consumers.

3. It reduces pesticide and herbicide use

Growing hemp outdoors exposes your crop to all sorts of different dangers. In addition to environmental fluctuations and the threats posed by natural disasters, outdoor hemp crops are frequently plagued by pests and invasive plant species that damage foliage, eat buds, and compete for root space.

To protect against ravaging insects and invasive weeds, outdoor hemp cultivators are forced to rely on pesticides and herbicides. While many outdoor hemp cultivators use organic, non-toxic pest-killers and weed-deterrents, these substances can still be dangerous.

Other hemp growers simply use the cheapest and most plentiful agricultural tools available with little thought for the environment or their end consumers. Pesticides and herbicides hurt the planet, and if they remain in hemp flower once it is dried, cured, and ready for distribution, these harmful chemicals can also hurt consumers.

Indoor hemp, on the other hand, is cultivated in climate-controlled, hermetically sealed environments in which invasive species can’t flourish. If pests show up on indoor hemp plants, the affected plants can be quarantined and treated individually, removing the possibility of environmental pollution and making it easier to ensure that pesticides don’t end up in hemp products intended for consumers.

4. It’s less prone to contamination

Even with the best organic and sustainable cultivation methods in place, hemp producers can’t control the agricultural practices of their neighbors. The vast majority of outdoor hemp cultivation operations are located within major agricultural zones, and while hemp is generally a cleaner industry than most sectors of the agricultural economy, cultivators of other crops routinely use products that contain heavy metals, petrochemicals, and other harmful substances.

When neighboring farmers spray their fields with dangerous pesticides and herbicides, this airborne mist can make its way onto hemp crops. The water runoff from neighboring fields can also make its way into hemp cultivation areas via either above-ground or below-ground routes.

Unless you grow your hemp miles away from any trace of civilization, it’s impossible to keep outdoor hemp crops perfectly clean. With indoor hemp, however, it’s easy to keep your growing environment perfectly sealed, which utterly prevents heavy metals or other contaminants from making their way into your end products.

5. It reduces monocropping

The basic premise of regenerative agriculture is that soil performs better when it is planted with multiple crops. In some cases, these crops may rotate throughout multiple seasons, but in other circumstances, more than one type of crop may be planted in a particular area at the same time.

Almost the entirety of the contemporary agricultural economy, however, is composed of monocropping operations. Monocropping is when a single crop is grown in an area over and over again, and this practice depletes soil while also harming the surrounding environment.

Since hemp has suddenly become such a profitable crop, most cultivators have decided to engage in monocropping instead of interspersing their hemp plants with other plant species. As we covered above, hemp also strips soil of its nutrients with disturbing efficiency, so monocropping with this particular crop is especially harmful.

Growing hemp indoors, however, is a type of sustainable monocropping. Since indoor-grown hemp doesn’t leach nutrients from soil, it doesn’t harm the environment, and growing hemp indoors leaves more space in agricultural communities that farmers can use to engage in sustainable, multi-crop operations.

The post 5 Things You Should Know About Indoor-Grown Hemp Flower appeared first on Green Prophet.

CBD. THC. Some people including myself say these words as loosely as CNN or TLC. For anyone who has been exposed to the medical cannabis industry, or the recreational one, THC and CBD are the key words that anyone who is self-medicating wants to know. 

Cannabis oil, drops, tinctures, patches. CBD patches, or CBD oil in your cola. In your morning cereal? THC for pain relief? Where are you to start? Cannabis or hemp? If you are not from Canada or a State where cannabis is legal, it’s better to ask a friend what this all means and how you might be able to obtain medicine that can alleviate a range of symptoms and conditions. From the extreme, like treating the corona virus, or epilepsy, to just helping you chill out. If you have doubts, just stick to products sourced from hemp. 

In States where legislation is not clear or to be determined, people are finding an easier and simpler way to get some relief from the marijuana plant using healing products that only contain CBD. CBD stands for cannabidiol and it is one of at least 100 healing molecules in the cannabis plant, but it’s also in the hemp plant too. The reason cannabis has been demonized is not because of CBD, it’s because of THC, the part of the cannabis that gives you the high, along with other therapeutic benefits. 

To stay on the safe side and to give people the unique benefits of CBD, some companies, like a new one in New York called Healist Naturals just uses 100% hemp-derived CBD in their products. The company uses an organic broad-spectrum CBD component of hemp, related to the cannabis plant which is 100% free from THC. So if it’s allowed or not (see New York Times on cannabis legalization) is out of the question. It is. 

Healist’s products are designed for calm, relief, sleep and well-being. The company tells me that they are designed to help consumers restore their body’s innate capacity to heal.

Did you know that there is hemp CBD and CBD that comes from a full spectrum cannabis plant? There are differences. Know them before you buy,

“The combination of natural yet potent ingredients backed by science, rigorous testing, a commitment to sustainability and a consumer-first mindset, are what set us apart from those who have come before us and those who will follow,” says Michael Bryce, co-founder at Healist.

Home-Grown Benefits

• The formulations contain a blend of natural active ingredients and are US grown
• All products are clean and natural, triple lab tested, vegan, cruelty-free, non-GMO, and contain 0.0% THC
• Each of the CBD products is packaged using sustainable materials including ocean waste plastic, with plans to have 100% of its plastic Ocean Waste Certified (OWP) by the end of 2020.

As a New York City based business, Healist says they want to do whatever it can to help the local community (read about our writer’s corona experience in NY) which has been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The company says it will donate one dollar for every order you make to the to the NYC COVID-19 Response and Impact Fund with a minimum of $5k donation until the end of May.

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