Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Science

Is hemp a thirsty crop? New research measures just how much water cannabis farming can use

In South Africa, it's been legal for several years for people to grow hemp (a type of Cannabis sativa with very low levels of the psychoactive compound THC) for personal use following changes to the law. There's also been a growing interest in its medicinal and industrial potential for clothing, ins...

Is hemp a thirsty crop? New research measures just how much water cannabis farming can use
Image: Phys.org
In South Africa, it's been legal for several years for people to grow hemp (a type of Cannabis sativa with very low levels of the psychoactive compound THC) for personal use following changes to the law. There's also been a growing interest in its medicinal and industrial potential for clothing, insulation and paper production. Many see it as a "green gold" opportunity for small-scale farmers.

Originally published at Phys.org

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