Materials manufactured from hemp can be useful for environmental and fashion reasons.
Hopefully all of us are aware of Issue 3 not passing in Ohio. Though the political and economic consequences of the issue are temporarily avoided, there are other implications that we missed.
The benefits of hemp fabrics, from planting to growing to manufacturing clothing, have often been overlooked in arguments for or against the legalization of marijuana. Compared to a product such as cotton, which we use every day, hemp provides more output for less input.
Although organic cotton is becoming more prevalent and the benefits are beginning to outweigh the costs of growing, hemp materials surpass cotton. For example, it takes about 5,200 gallons of water to grow 2.2 pounds of cotton, while hemp only needs 50 percent of that amount for 250 percent more material.
Efficiency in growing is also important to consider. Although growing materials to manufacture textiles is the most energy-consuming portion of the entire process, the greater the quantity per acre, the less strain on the environment. Hemp is superior in that category. One acre of hemp can produce the same amount of fiber as two to three acres of cotton.
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Now, as far as the quality of fiber goes, hemp is once again the winner. Fibers produced by hemp are naturally soft, durable and versatile. Hemp can be used to make shoes, clothing and accessories, among a wide variety of everyday products. The porous quality of the fibers made from the plant also mean the material is water-absorbent and will withstand more hard use than average textiles.
Hemp is a material that is easily grown and should be easily accessible by the fashion and textile industries to create sustainable clothing that is not only comfortable and soft, keeping its shape through its usable lifespan, but also durable and less straining on the environment than traditional fabrics.
Courtney Mihocik is a junior studying journalism. Do you own anything made of hemp? Email her at cm674912@ohio.edu or tweet her @CourtneyMiho.
