Before the arrival of European settlers, hemp was being cultivated by Native Americans in the New World. Due to the durability and strength of its fibers, Native Americans grew the crop to produce clothing, thread, paper and cordage as well as hemp food. North America was first introduced to hemp in 1606, but the first recorded use of it in America’s colonial years was in 1632 in Virginia.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, farmers were legally required to grow hemp as a staple crop. Later, it was exported to England where it was used for books, clothing, shoes, sails and tents. Hemp was even considered a legal tender that could be used to pay taxes during this time. Earning its independence from Great Britain in the late 18th century, the United States kept hemp as a staple crop for early Americans.

Many of the founding fathers even grew hemp and supported its uses and benefits. Benjamin Franklin began one of America’s first paper mills with hemp. George Washington grew cannabis. And, according to some historians, Thomas Jefferson wrote the first drafts of the Declaration of Independence on hemp paper.

Benjamin Franklin: Franklin founded the first commercial cannabis operation in America and owned a paper mill that manufactured parchment using hemp fibers. These papers were used to draft the literature that was used to help unite colonists against British forces.

The cultivation of hemp can be traced back thousands of years. It has been an integral part of many civilizations, including ancient China, where it was used to make textiles, ropes, and paper. In Europe, hemp fiber was used in shipbuilding, while the American colonies relied heavily on hemp for producing ropes, canvas, and clothing.

Hemp's versatility knows no bounds. Its fibers can be transformed into durable textiles, ropes, and construction materials. Hemp seeds are rich in protein, healthy fats, and various nutrients, making them a valuable addition to a balanced diet. Moreover, hemp oil derived from the plant's seeds has gained popularity for its potential health benefits.

Hemp seeds have gained recognition as a superfood due to their impressive nutritional profile. They are an excellent source of plant-based protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. Hemp seeds also provide a healthy balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential for heart and brain health. Additionally, hemp-derived products, such as CBD oil, have gained attention for their potential therapeutic properties.

Hemp cultivation offers several environmental advantages. The plant requires minimal pesticides and herbicides, making it more sustainable compared to other crops. Furthermore, hemp has a rapid growth cycle and absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide, making it a valuable tool in combating climate change.

Hemp and marijuana are two varieties of the same basic plant: Cannabis sativa: they look different, grow differently, and have different uses and benefits.

Hemp, also called industrial hemp, is legal to grow in the U.S.

Both hemp and cannabis can produce CBD products, but hemp has very low levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), less than 0.3%.

Marijuana is the term generally used to refer to cannabis that contains higher levels of THC, which produces a psychoactive effect.

Hemp, aka industrial hemp, is grown and used to produce textiles, nutritional supplements like hemp oil, biofuels, and even plastics.

While science doesn’t differentiate between “hemp” and “cannabis,” the law does. Legally, the key difference between the two is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.

Hemp, aka industrial hemp, does have some THC, but in such a low amount that it does not produce any euphoric effects. Hemp legally must have below 0.3% THC in order to be cultivated under USDA regulations.
 
Industrial hemp became legal to grow in research programs through the 2014 Farm Bill, and in 2018, Congress passed a new Farm Bill which allows all states to create legal industrial hemp programs. 

With less than 0.3% THC and potentially higher amounts of CBD (cannabidiol), hemp’s uses can be ropes and textiles, biofuels (like biodiesel), and nutritional or wellness supplements, some made from CBD, and others made from hemp oil. 

Usually, when people say “marijuana,” they’re talking about cannabis that can get you high. The term is used interchangeably with “weed” and a number of other terms.

With more than 0.3% THC and plants that contain less fiber than hemp varieties, marijuana’s uses are primarily psychoactive. Cannabis can be used recreationally or medically, and it can be processed into CBD and THC oils, tinctures, and concentrates, as well as smoked in dried flower form.
 
Cannabis plants have been designated as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, or a hybrid. Each of these has its own purported characteristics and effects, although science has yet to verify this.

We work with local Hemp Farmers that are licensed to grow and harvest hemp for our products. Basking in the beautiful summer sun of southern Oregon, our hemp is grown to organic standards and without the use of chemicals or pesticides as we are committed to using the highest quality hemp in all of our Ugli Butter & Ugli Tea products.

Before we package any product, we send it to a lab for testing.

What are we testing our Ugli Butters & Teas for?

Lots of things.

Firstly, we only work with local Hemp Farmers that are licensed to grow and harvest our Hemp.

Beyond that, we need to ensure every product has a certificate of analysis (COA) to confirm quality and help customers learn about what they’re buying or enjoying.

Our trusted, third-party labs ensure every product is safe to use, legal to purchase and free of nasty foreign materials like pesticides, heavy metals, or mold. They also confirm that every product we make complies with the 2018 Farm Bill (industrial hemp must contain 0.3% THC or less).

You can find the current test results (COA) of our Hemp products in the Compliance Information section below.

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