National Hemp Day 2024: History, Quotes, and Ways To Celebrate

National Hemp Day is observed annually on February 4th to celebrate and promote the many uses and benefits of industrial hemp. Hemp is a variety of the cannabis plant that contains very low levels of THC (less than 0.3%), the psychoactive compound that produces the “high” associated with marijuana. While marijuana is bred for its THC content, hemp is bred for its fibers, seeds, and oils.

Hemp has been cultivated for thousands of years and has served as a valuable resource throughout history. However, since the early 20th century, hemp production has faced strong restrictions in many parts of the world due to its association with marijuana. National Hemp Day seeks to distinguish industrial hemp from marijuana and highlight hemp’s diverse applications.

History and Background of National Hemp Day

National Hemp Day was first conceived by members of the Hemp Industries Association (HIA), a non-profit trade association established in 1994 that advocates for fair and equal treatment of industrial hemp. The first National Hemp Day was celebrated on February 6th, 2005 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the HIA.

The date of February 6th was chosen because it was when the 2014 Farm Bill was signed into law, allowing for pilot programs and research of hemp cultivation per guidelines set by state departments of agriculture. However, in 2015, the observance was moved to February 4th to honor the birthday of Woody Harrelson, a well-known advocate for hemp legalization.

Momentum around the holiday grew over the next decade as more states legalized hemp cultivation and the plant’s popularity rose. In 2018, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced The Hemp Farming Act of 2018 to legalize and remove hemp from the federal list of controlled substances. It was incorporated in the 2018 Farm Bill and signed into law by President Trump on December 20, 2018, marking a major victory for the hemp industry.

Why Is National Hemp Day Important?

National Hemp Day is important because it allows a collective celebration and promotion of hemp as America’s next cash crop. For decades, prohibition and misconceptions have prevented farmers from fully tapping into hemp’s agricultural and commercial potential. This holiday brings supporters together and highlights various uses for hemp that can help boost the economy and provide green solutions.

Specifically, National Hemp Day:

• Educates people on the history, uses, and benefits of hemp
• Advocates for policy change and agricultural development of hemp
• Supports American hemp farmers and businesses
• Promotes hemp products as eco-friendly alternatives
• Reduces stigma around hemp by distinguishing it from marijuana
• Encourages continued research and innovation in the hemp industry

Supporters hope National Hemp Day can help hemp shed its reputation from the past and be seen as the valuable crop it is today.

How Is National Hemp Day Celebrated?

There are many ways for individuals, organizations, and businesses to celebrate National Hemp Day:

Learn About Hemp

• Research the history of hemp and its importance throughout American agriculture
• Understand how hemp differs from marijuana in terms of genetics, cultivation, and legality
• Discover the various ways hemp can be used for food, textiles, building materials, biofuels, plastics, and health products
• Look into hemp growing and processing methods

Use and Buy Hemp Products

• Cook with hemp seeds or hemp oil
• Wear clothing made of hemp fibers
• Use hemp soap, shampoo, lotions or lip balms
• Purchase a book printed on hemp paper
• Switch to hemp milk or protein powder
• Buy hemp-based building supplies, fabrics, or composites
• Shop from hemp product retailers and artisans

Advocate and Educate Others

• Share information about hemp on social media using hashtags like #NationalHempDay
• Write to government representatives urging expanded hemp farming rights
• Explain to friends and family how hemp differs from marijuana
• Organize or attend a hemp-themed festival, workshop, or lecture
• Volunteer with a hemp advocacy group like Vote Hemp

Celebrate with Hemp-Inspired Activities

• Make crafts using hemp rope, yarn, paper or fabric
• Mix up a hemp smoothie with hemp seeds, milk, fruit, and protein powder
• Tour a hemp farm, processing facility or manufacturing plant
• Create a special hemp-infused meal or recipe
• Plant hemp seeds in your garden (check local laws first)
• Host a canvas painting party with hemp oil paints

Quotes About Hemp for National Hemp Day

Here are some inspirational quotes about hemp’s importance that can be shared on National Hemp Day:

“Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth & protection of the country.” -Thomas Jefferson

“Make the most you can of the Indian Hemp seed and sow it everywhere.” -George Washington

“Hemp is the standard fiber of the world. It has great tensile strength and durability. It is used to produce more than 5,000 textile products, ranging from rope to fine laces, and the woody ‘hurds’ remaining after the fiber has been removed contain more than seventy-seven per cent cellulose, and can be used to produce plastics, paints, dynamite, and other products.” -USDA Yearbook 1913

“Why use up the forests which were centuries in the making and the mines which required ages to lay down, if we can get the equivalent of forest and mineral products in the annual growth of the hemp fields?” -Henry Ford

“Hemp flourishes in Kentucky. It has been successfully cultivated and offers great promise as a new industry.” -20th Kentucky Governor James B. McCreary, 1912

“We will not have an economy that’s really ‘hoppin’ until the government lets us grow industrial hemp.” -Actor Woody Harrelson

“If all fossil fuels and their derivatives were banned, hemp fuel and other renewables would be in much greater demand and hemp prices would skyrocket. So that alone could provide the incentive to bring hemp production to the US.” -David P. West Ph.D., North American Industrial Hemp Council

“The hemp plant is an extremely environmental friendly, economic and versatile industrial commodity. The wellbeing of our planet and its people demands a total industrial hemp solution.” -Gayle Marie

National Hemp Day 2024 Cards and Posters Ideas

Here are some National Hemp Day greeting card and poster ideas:

• A card with an image of a hemp plant and the message “Let’s bring this cash crop back! Happy National Hemp Day 2024!”
• A poster with facts and figures about hemp’s uses, economic potential, and eco-benefits. Slogan: “Spread the Good News About Hemp!”
• A e-card with a picture of hemp seeds and the message “Hemp is good for the world and good for you too. Happy National Hemp Day!”
• A colorful graphic with hemp leaves forming the shape of America. Text: “Growth, Innovation, Prosperity. Celebrate National Hemp Day 2024”
• A retro-style propaganda poster with Uncle Sam and the slogan “Hemp for Victory.”
• A minimalist postcard with green hemp fields and the words “This land was made for you and me. Happy National Hemp Day 2024!”
• A collage of hemp products – fabrics, rope, milk, paper etc. With the message “Hemp: Let’s Get Back to Our Roots. National Hemp Day 2024.”
• A blueprint-style diagram of hemp uses with facts and data. Title: “The Hemp Revolution Starts Now. National Hemp Day 2024.”

How to Celebrate National Hemp Day 2024

There are many educational, promotional, and fun ways to celebrate this all-purpose crop on National Hemp Day. Here are some ideas:

Learn the History

• Read up on hemp’s role in colonial America and “Hemp for Victory” in WWII
• Watch documentaries on hemp prohibition and the fight to legalize
• Research how Henry Ford built cars with hemp plastic in 1941

Use Hemp Products

• Cook with hemp oil, seeds, or milk
• Switch to hemp protein powder or hemp granola
• Make body care products like hemp soap or lotion
• Wear hemp clothing and accessories

Educate Others

• Post on social media about unique uses for hemp
• Share photos of hemp farms, products, or processing
• Explain the differences between hemp and marijuana
• Write an article or blog post spotlighting hemp

Advocate for Hemp

• Contact government reps in support of hemp legislation
• Volunteer with organizations like Vote Hemp
• Attend a hemp festival or lobby day
• Donate to a hemp nonprofit like HIA

Celebrate with Fun Activities

• Make crafts from hemp rope, paper or fabric
• Mix up a hemp smoothie with hemp milk and seeds
• Plant hemp seeds in your garden (follow laws)
• Host a hemp painting party with hemp oil paints
• Hold a hemp trivia night
• Have a hemp fashion show

National Hemp Day Activities and Events

Many exciting events, festivals, workshops, and campaigns take place across the country on February 4th for National Hemp Day. Here are some of the ways people come together to celebrate:

Conferences and Expos

Major hemp conventions like NoCo Hemp Expo and the Southern Hemp Expo are held annually around National Hemp Day. These bring together hundreds of vendors, farmers, producers, and researchers.

Marches and Lobby Days

Grassroots hemp groups organize marches, letter-writing campaigns, and lobby days to promote policy reform around the holiday. These raise awareness and ask lawmakers to ease restrictions.

Workshops and Seminars

Educational seminars on topics like hemp farming, business applications, health benefits, and cooking are offered in many states. These allow newcomers to learn about hemp.

Festivals and Fairs

Hemp festivals have live music, speeches, product samples, educational booths, and more. Popular ones include the California Hemp Fest and the Hudson Valley Hemp Fest in New York.

Planting Events

Some organizations celebrate National Hemp Day by holding ceremonial public plantings of hemp. This promotes expanded cultivation rights.

Product Launches

Leading up to National Hemp Day, many hemp brands debut new lines of CBD products, foods, topicals and supplements to coincide with the holiday.

Social Media Campaigns

Online campaigns encourage people to spread facts, news, products, and photos related to hemp, using hashtags like #NationalHempDay. This builds collective awareness.

Conclusion

National Hemp Day provides a valuable opportunity to consider how embracing this versatile, eco-friendly crop can help improve environmental, economic, and social sustainability. As an agricultural commodity and raw material, hemp has the potential to be transformative across many industries.

The roadblocks around hemp farming are beginning to crumble, but there is still progress to be made through education, advocacy, innovation, and policy change. National Hemp Day unites passionate supporters, entrepreneurs, farmers, and consumers in moving towards a greener, more prosperous future.

Whether you learn its history, use hemp goods, plant seeds, contact lawmakers, attend events, or post on social media, choose a meaningful way to take part in the hemp revolution this National Hemp Day on February 4th, 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is hemp the same as marijuana?

No. While hemp and marijuana both come from Cannabis sativa, hemp contains very low levels of THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. Hemp has been bred to maximize industrial uses of its fibers, seeds, and oils rather than THC content.

2. Is hemp legal to grow in the United States?

Yes. The 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized hemp cultivation while still regulating it. Many states also have approved hemp pilot programs for farmers and researchers. However, there are still strict guidelines around hemp farming that supporters hope to ease.

3. What is the difference between hemp oil and CBD oil?

Hemp oil, sometimes called hemp seed oil, is made by cold pressing hemp seeds. It is high in nutrients but contains no CBD or THC. CBD oil is extracted from the flowers, leaves, and stalks of hemp and contains various cannabinoids, including CBD.

4. Can you get “high” using hemp products?

No. Hemp products including hemp oil, seeds, fibers, milk, protein, paper, and building materials contain virtually no THC and will not cause psychoactive effects. Some hemp extracts have trace amounts, but not enough to induce a high.

5. What are some popular uses for hemp?

Hemp is used to make over 25,000 products! Popular uses are clothing and fabrics, rope and twine, building materials, biofuels, nutritional supplements, food products like hemp milk and oil, paper products, and personal care items. New applications are also being developed.