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The Sustainability of Industrial Hemp: A Literature Review of Its Economic, Environmental, and Social Sustainability

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  • Gurinder Kaur

    (School of Design and Engineering, Kanbar College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19144, USA)

  • Ronald Kander

    (School of Design and Engineering, Kanbar College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19144, USA)

Abstract

Industrial hemp is a versatile, sustainable plant with several applications of its various forms, including fiber obtained from hemp stalks, food obtained from hemp seeds, and oil obtained from hemp flowers and seeds. Industrial hemp has the potential to offer a solution to the crisis of climate change, since it is a viable energy source that satisfies the three pillars of sustainability, namely economy, environment, and society. Although industrial hemp has been growing as an agricultural commodity in different parts of the world for decades, its production was banned until recently in the U.S. because of its association with marijuana. We conducted a literature review to explore some of the reasons why the U.S. production of industrial hemp has increased significantly since the ban was lifted. Our findings revealed that hemp’s rapidly increasing popularity in the U.S. since 2018 can be attributed, in part, to its sustainability potential (defined as the potential to positively impact the sustainability of products, using hemp as a renewable raw material). This study fills a gap in the knowledge regarding hemp’s potential as a sustainable crop.

Suggested Citation

  • Gurinder Kaur & Ronald Kander, 2023. "The Sustainability of Industrial Hemp: A Literature Review of Its Economic, Environmental, and Social Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:8:p:6457-:d:1120437
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mark, Tyler & Shepherd, Jonathan & Olson, David & Snell, William & Proper, Susan & Thornsbury, Suzanne, 2020. "Economic Viability of Industrial Hemp in the United States: A Review of State Pilot Programs," Economic Information Bulletin 302486, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    2. T. RANDALL FORTENBERY & Michael Bennett, 2001. "Is Industrial Hemp Worth Further Study in the US? A Survey of the Literature," Wisconsin-Madison Agricultural and Applied Economics Staff Papers 443, Wisconsin-Madison Agricultural and Applied Economics Department.
    3. Haohan Zhao & Heping Xiong & Jikang Chen, 2021. "Regional Comparison and Strategy Recommendations of Industrial Hemp in China Based on a SWOT Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-16, June.
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