# Is hemp economically viable? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 25, 2012, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390 "2012-07-25T23:25:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JFLuvly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac91a4/32.png) [@JFLuvly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JFLuvly)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/21 "2012-07-26T23:51:22Z")
> [@](#): > > I suspect the industrial uses of “hemp” are somewhat similar to the medical uses of marijuana - mostly a combination of wishful thinking, marketing hype, and exaggeration by folks who want the stuff around so they can get wasted. I don’t suppose you would like to share a cite for that comment, particularly the part about medical marijuana. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/22 "2012-07-27T00:35:20Z")
> [@kp\_72110](#): > > As a food source it is incredible what it contains in nutrients; protein, Omegas, etc. See this [Hemp Nutrition Listing](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp#Nutrition) :dubious: Soybeans are [arguably superior](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soybean#Nutrition), containing more protein, fewer calories, way less fat, and more fiber, though admittedly lacking in Omega-3’s. Mix in some flaxseed and you’re good to go. Plus I know both of those taste good. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/23 "2012-07-27T02:23:43Z")
> [@Blake](#): > > Quite clearly it isn’t. > > Hemp production is legal in dozens of countries. The US imports other food including grains, pulses and meats from as far away as Australia and New Zealand: the other side of the freakin’ world. > > If hemp seed as a food source was economically viable then it would simply be imported from somewhere else. If the US can import low value foods such as barley then it could sure as hell import supposedly high value foods such as hemp seed. > > The fact that it isn’t imported in more than trivial quantities is all the evidence that is required to prove that it isn’t economically viable. Right same with hemp as cloth. Mind you, I disagree in that Hemp\* is\* economically viable- but only as a niche market. It’s not regressive US laws that make it so, it’s just economics. ---
**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/24 "2012-07-27T03:53:32Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Right same with hemp as cloth. Mind you, I disagree in that Hemp\* is\* economically viable- but only as a niche market. Well, yeah, OK. Hemp is economically viable in the same way that handmade clothes are economically viable and transporting goods by horse-drawn wagons is economically viable. These things are viable in the sense that some people will pay a premium to have them done. They are not viable in the more usual sense of being competitive against any alternatives in the open market. > [@](#): > > It’s not regressive US laws that make it so, it’s just economics. And quality. It may be possible to economically make airplanes out of hemp, but the quality is so crap that nobody would want one if there were alternative available. Even at premium prices hemp can’t compete in most markets because it isn’t very good at anything. It’s a crop that is mediocre for all sorts of things, which makes it ideal or subsistence farmers and worthless industrial farming in a world with a highly developed trade network. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/25 "2012-07-27T04:25:01Z")
> [@Blake](#): > > Well, yeah, OK. Hemp is economically viable in the same way that handmade clothes are economically viable and transporting goods by horse-drawn wagons is economically viable. These things are viable in the sense that some people will pay a premium to have them done. They are not viable in the more usual sense of being competitive against any alternatives in the open market.. Apparently hemp is the best stuff for sailcloth. But still- a niche market. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/26 "2012-07-27T04:39:09Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Apparently hemp is the best stuff for sailcloth. But still- a niche market. That may have been true historically, but I find it really hard to believe that any natural fiber is better than modern synthetics such as Kevlar, let alone the more exotic materials used in top class racing yachts. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/27 "2012-07-27T12:10:21Z")
> [@JFLuvly](#): > > I don’t suppose you would like to share a cite for that comment, particularly the part about medical marijuana. We discussed the subject of medical marijuana in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=620747), and IIRC you were a participant in the discussion. Several cites there - I won’t repost them, but the consensus seems to be what I said - marijuana’s uses as a medicine are limited and overhyped. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/28 "2012-07-27T13:01:20Z")
I saw hemp granola in Whole Foods this week. It looked just like bags of you\_know\_what. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/29 "2012-07-27T14:27:08Z")
Even IF it were 100% true (it’s not) that hemp disappeared in the United States solely because the evil William Randolph Hearst campaigned against it, wouldn’t dozens of OTHER countries have continued to grow massive quantities of the stuff, if it were truly the miracle crop its advocates insist it is? Hearst had no sway in Europe or Asia or South America. Why didn’t huge numbers of farmers there keep growing it? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/30 "2012-07-27T14:33:07Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > My understanding is that on a flyover, the DEA can’t tell the difference between non-psychoactive hemp, and regular tall weed plants ripe for the smoking. If that’s the case, then regular marijuana could be grown and no search warrant could be issued on the flyover because it just as easily could be hemp growing. No probable cause for a warrant. > > So I’ve heard. Nope. Hemp plants are grown very close together, with tall thin stalks up to 12 feet high. Marijuana plants are short and bushy, to encourage budding. [This](http://http://www.gametec.com/hemp/hempandmj.html) is the best article if you’re interested ---
**Author:** ![jbaker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/59ef9b/32.png) [@jbaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jbaker)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/31 "2012-07-27T14:46:43Z")
I’m surprised to see no mention of rope, which I would have thought to be historically the most important use of hemp. I don’t know if hemp would still be economically viable as a source of natural fiber for rope, though. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/32 "2012-07-27T15:05:26Z")
If not for the prohibition in this country, it’s possible the use of hemp might have developed more. Hemp flocking is probably as good as cotton or other fibers for instance. But that would only be a secondary market assuming there were enough primary uses for hemp. The fiber doesn’t have any magical properties that would make it a strong competitor against other natural and synthetic fibers. The magic doesn’t come from the fiber. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/33 "2012-07-27T15:09:04Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I agree completely. But you make it sound like a bad thing. It’s not a bad thing (IMO) to legalize the stuff so people can get wasted. It’s a bad thing to pretend it’s good for much else. Again, IMO. One ought not to push marijuana (for instance) as an anti-nausea agent if there are better alternatives available. If it were up to me, I would make the stuff legal to cultivate, use or sell, for anyone over 21, but not because I thought there was a huge untapped market for hemp clothes or breakfast cereal. I just think people should be able to get toasted if they want to, and it’s probably better for you than being an alcoholic. But it’s not up to me. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Telperion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telperion/32/509_2.png) [@Telperion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperion)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/34 "2012-07-27T15:19:01Z")
> [@jbaker](#): > > I’m surprised to see no mention of rope, which I would have thought to be historically the most important use of hemp. I don’t know if hemp would still be economically viable as a source of natural fiber for rope, though. The reason we don’t use hemp rope these days is mainly that nylon is lighter and stronger and doesn’t rot, so it wouldn’t be economically feasible to produce hemp rope even if the raw materials can be had for next to nothing. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/35 "2012-07-27T15:26:12Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > It’s not a bad thing (IMO) to legalize the stuff so people can get wasted. It’s a bad thing to pretend it’s good for much else. Again, IMO. Actually I do agree. Dishonesty isn’t a good thing. But until this thread I hadn’t thought of it as anything more than a joke. However, if people actually believe that the useful qualities of hemp are more than political artifacts, then it’s not a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/36 "2012-07-27T15:38:56Z")
> [@Telperion](#): > > The reason we don’t use hemp rope these days is mainly that nylon is lighter and stronger and doesn’t rot, so it wouldn’t be economically feasible to produce hemp rope even if the raw materials can be had for next to nothing. Other synthetics like polypropylene and Dacron are used for various purposes as well. Preventing rot is why hemp ropes were tarred, which is messy and inconvenient. Even considering natural fibers, manila is more resistant to water damage, and was often preferred to hemp. Manila may sometimes be called “manila hemp” but it is actually a different plant (a relative of the banana, actually). ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/37 "2012-07-27T20:46:14Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > My understanding is that on a flyover, the DEA can’t tell the difference between non-psychoactive hemp, and regular tall weed plants ripe for the smoking. If that’s the case, then regular marijuana could be grown and no search warrant could be issued on the flyover because it just as easily could be hemp growing. No probable cause for a warrant. > > So I’ve heard. What Procrutes said, on preview. Legalizing fiber hemp, from the perspective of MJ legalization supporters, could conceivably help to move all cannabis towards greater general acceptability. ---
**Author:** ![Stoneburg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/38 "2012-08-11T17:35:30Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > I hear there are people who make quite a lot of money from it.😉 > > I, also, do not know what “incitament” means. I did look it up - > > - but I am none the wiser. Are you Norwegian? Ah. Incitament is the swedish (you were not far off) word for incentive, thanks for fighting my ignorance w/r/t english. > [@TriPolar](#): > > Actually I do agree. Dishonesty isn’t a good thing. But until this thread I hadn’t thought of it as anything more than a joke. However, if people actually believe that the useful qualities of hemp are more than political artifacts, then it’s not a good idea. That’s why I asked. I’m in favor of legalising both hemp and cannabis, but I don’t want to believe dishonest claims just because they support my standpoint. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/39 "2012-08-11T19:15:05Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **clairobscur** : > > I looked at the site of the association of hemp producers and of course they explain how great a product it is (for some reason they argue that it should be a component of concrete). Concrete is great for compressive strength, but it’s rather lacking in tensile strength (meaning it’s fairly easy to pull it apart). So the overall structural usefulness of concrete can be improved by mixing in fibers of something with high tensile strength. I doubt that hemp would really be the best choice of fiber for that job, but that’s the idea. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2012, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390/40 "2012-08-11T19:38:10Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > So the overall structural usefulness of concrete can be improved by mixing in fibers of something with high tensile strength. Like rebar. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hemp-economically-viable/629390.md?page=3)