industrial hemp

Definition of industrial hemp

industrial hemp (in-DUH-stree-ul hemp): An herb that comes from a variant of the Cannabis sativa plant and contains fiber, seeds, and oil used to make many different industrial and consumer products. These include textiles, building materials, paper, fabrics, soap, food, dietary supplements, and cosmetics. Industrial hemp and marijuana come from the same species of Cannabis sativa, but the industrial hemp variant contains very low levels of delta-9-THC (the main active chemical in marijuana that causes drug-like effects in the body). The industrial hemp and marijuana variants of Cannabis sativa have their own chemical and genetic makeup and are regulated, grown, and used in different ways. Also called hemp.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms