How hemp is taking over as a favorite crop for one of America’s largest global competitors
What’s the first thing you think of when you think of China? Is it the rotating animals that represent the years? Is it elegant dress and fireworks or duck noodle soup under pagoda? Do you simply think of The Great Wall?
Whatever your first thought is when thinking about the superpower on the other side of the planet, you might be afraid to go there if you read some of the headlines around traveling to China. However, if you’re looking for a country that is solidifying its position in the CBD industry, then you might not have any choice but to head to the middle country.
That’s because hemp farms are flourishing in China. Here’s a quick look at what’s going on in China’s hemp industry.
Cannabis has been growing in China for about as long as China has been on the map. In fact, it’s often suggested cannabis first evolved in some part of ancient China. Moreover, cannabis grows wildly in some parts in China, and in great abundance.
In fact, there are some cities in China that are somewhat known as being destinations for backpackers due to the cannabis culture in the area.
But they likely weren’t traveling there for the CBD, China’s favorite cannabinoid. It’s been being produced in the Yunnan province since 2003.
In 2017, Hanma Investing Group became the first company granted permission to extract the precious cannabinoid in Southern China. Of course, it’s also sold there in balms, oils, and sprays, similar to the market here.
According to the South China Morning Post, hemp farmers in China are making $1,500 per hectare of hemp by selling the stalks for textiles and fabrics, the leaves to pharmaceutical companies, and the seeds for snacks, oils, and other kitchen items.
That’s better than what the People’s Republic was previously offering hemp farmers: the death penalty.
China’s position has fluctuated greatly on hemp over the years (much like our own), but they are now are trying to stake their own claim on the worldwide CBD market.
Just because China is moving in the direction of CBD leadership, that doesn’t mean you should make a trip there to consume cannabis. Recreational use of cannabis in China remains illegal. Do you have more questions about cannabis in China? Ask us in the comments!
