National Hemp Month is celebrated every July as a tribute to one of nature’s most versatile and misunderstood plants: hemp. Launched in 2020 by CBD American Shaman, this awareness campaign was created to spotlight hemp’s economic, environmental, and wellness potential—while confronting decades of stigma and misinformation.
While National Hemp Day (February 4) marks a single day of recognition, National Hemp Month expands the spotlight to a full 31 days of education, celebration, and advocacy. It’s not just about promoting products—it’s about rewriting the narrative around a plant that’s been unfairly silenced.
National Hemp Month is more than a marketing moment. It’s a call to action.
The month is dedicated to:
Whether you're new to hemp or already a fan, this month invites you to take a closer look at what this humble plant can do—and why it matters more than ever.
Hemp isn’t just another plant—it’s a powerhouse of potential. Often confused with its cousin marijuana, hemp is non-intoxicating and contains less than 0.3% THC, making it legal to grow and sell under the 2018 Farm Bill.
But what makes hemp truly remarkable is its incredible range of uses. This one plant can be transformed into:
It’s not an exaggeration to say hemp can clothe you, feed you, build your home, and support your health. That’s a pretty impressive résumé for a crop with roots going back over 10,000 years.
In a world facing climate change, resource depletion, and toxic industrial practices, hemp stands out as a natural solution.
Why? Because hemp is:
Plus, hemp can be grown on land unsuitable for other crops—making it a valuable option for farmers and a true ally in sustainable agriculture.
Hemp isn’t just good for the planet—it’s good for people, too.
Its seeds are a nutritional powerhouse, loaded with protein, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, fiber, and key vitamins. They’re used in everything from smoothies to salad dressings.
Its oil is a gentle, nourishing ingredient in skincare, and its cannabinoids—like CBD—are widely embraced for supporting relaxation, balance, and overall well-being.
So whether you’re wearing it, eating it, or rolling it into a salve, hemp has something to offer everyone.
For most of human history, hemp wasn’t controversial—it was essential. Ancient civilizations spun it into rope and cloth. In early America, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew it. In fact, during the colonial era, some states required farmers to grow hemp because of its strategic importance for making sails, rope, and uniforms.
The first American flag? Likely made from hemp. And for a time, hemp was as common in homes and fields as corn or cotton.
However, by the 20th century, hemp had become collateral damage in a war driven by fear, politics, and profit. As cannabis came to the U.S. through Mexican immigrants in the early 1900s, it became entangled in anti-immigrant sentiment and racial prejudice. Lawmakers conflated hemp with “marijuana” in public messaging to generate panic—and support prohibition.
Behind the scenes, powerful industries—timber, cotton, oil, and tobacco—saw hemp as a threat to their dominance. They lobbied hard for its restriction.
The result? The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, followed by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, lumped hemp and marijuana together as illegal. One of the planet’s most useful plants was effectively banned for nearly 80 years.
It wasn’t until the 2014 Farm Bill that hemp research was allowed again—and the 2018 Farm Bill finally made hemp federally legal, distinguishing it from marijuana based on its low THC content.
Since then, hemp has re-emerged as a force for sustainability, wellness, and innovation, powering a $28B+ industry and opening doors for farmers, small businesses, and researchers.
But the story isn’t over. Hemp still faces regulatory confusion, legislative threats, and public misinformation.
What we lost during prohibition wasn’t just a crop—it was decades of innovation.
Now, National Hemp Month serves as a reminder of what we can still reclaim—if we stay informed and engaged.
If you care about the future of the planet, you should care about hemp.
From fashion to fuel, hemp offers eco-friendly alternatives to some of the most wasteful industries on Earth:
By choosing hemp-based products, you’re helping reduce pollution, conserve resources, and support a more sustainable economy. Hemp’s versatility means it can replace or reduce the need for many high-impact raw materials—and the more demand grows, the more farmers are incentivized to grow it.
“Giving a hemp” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a mindset.
You don’t have to overhaul your life to make a difference. Start small:
Every purchase, share, or conversation is a vote for the kind of future you want.
You don’t have to be an expert to spread the word. National Hemp Month is a great time to:
Hemp has been silenced before—don’t let that happen again.
National Hemp Month isn’t just about honoring the past. It’s about shaping the future.
Whether you’re passionate about wellness, sustainability, small business, or social justice, hemp touches nearly every major issue we face today. It’s a solution hiding in plain sight — and we need smart voices and informed action to protect its place in our lives.
The truth is: hemp is still at risk. Misinformation, misguided legislation, and regulatory gray areas continue to threaten progress. From attempts to redefine hemp and ban full-spectrum cannabinoid products, to economic pressures like tariffs and tax codes — the challenges are real.
But so is the power of community.
Give a Hemp: Take Action Today
If you believe in hemp’s promise, now’s the time to speak up. Here's how you can help:
Because once you understand what hemp really is and what it can do, it’s hard not to give a hemp.
The 2018 Farm Bill defines legal hemp as cannabis containing no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight. This standard applies to both hemp plants and all hemp-derived consumer products.
While the 1mg THC cap proposed by California’s DCC is specific to animal-use cannabis products, it sets a concerning precedent. It could limit access to full-spectrum formulations and unintentionally push consumers back toward less regulated, lower-quality options—affecting how hemp-derived CBD products for pets are formulated and sold.
Broad-spectrum CBD products, which contain multiple cannabinoids but no detectable THC, are likely to remain legal under current federal and state laws—as long as THC is truly undetectable. However, more sensitive lab testing could flag trace amounts, so transparency and COAs are essential.
Reps. Harris (R-MD) and Miller (R-IL) are proposing to redefine hemp as any product with no quantifiable THC—effectively banning full-spectrum hemp products. Their efforts would undo key protections from the 2018 Farm Bill and jeopardize access to legal, non-intoxicating hemp-derived wellness products.
Yes. A future Farm Bill could revise the federal definition of hemp and override any temporary restrictions introduced through annual spending bills—such as the FY2026 Appropriations Bill—but only once it is passed into law. Until then, harmful language in budget riders can still affect policy enforcement.
Some lawmakers argue that compounds like Delta-8 or THCA flower exploit a legal “loophole” in the Farm Bill. However, supporters note these compounds are federally legal, non-synthetic, and offer legal access to relief in places where regulated cannabis is unavailable.
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