UK expert gives Woman's Club the facts about hemp

University of Kentucky agronomist Tom Keene spoke to the Midway Woman's Club at Midway Presbyterian Church Oct. 10.

Story and photos by Dalton Stokes

University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

“I’d liken it the gold rush of the 1840s and 1850s,” Tom Keene said. “Everybody thinks there's a pot of gold if you grow hemp.”

Keene, an agronomy specialist researching hemp at the University of Kentucky, spoke Thursday night to the Midway Woman's Club to inform curious members about one of the most talked-about crops of the decade – and dispel any misinformation.

Keene continued his goldrush analogy: “Everybody is racing to get there, but nobody’s got a map, nobody’s got any GPS coordinates, and for sure most people don’t ask how to get there. They’re just jumping in.”

Keene said hemp is like no other crop he has ever seen, because newly trending crops usually get attention only from farmers and other stakeholders in agriculture. “Everyone’s interested in hemp,’ he said. “Grandma’s interested in hemp, soccer moms are interested in hemp, athletes … students, pharmacists, doctors, lawyers. It goes across all spectrums of society.”

One of the first things Keene pointed out is that hemp is the “exact same plant as marijuana,” contrary to common references calling them “cousins.” Both some from the species Cannabis sativa. The only thing that separates the two is the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. To be considered hemp, and thus be legal nationwide, it can contain 0.3% THC or less. At that level and above, it is marijuana, and is illegal in Kentucky.

Keene also dispelled talk that hemp is some “magic crop,” that it can be grown anywhere, it doesn’t need fertilizer, it doesn’t need insect or disease control, or it will outgrow weeds. He called all of these wrong, and said capitalism will not allow the production of hemp products unless money is being made.

“If it doesn’t make money,” he said, “it doesn’t make sense.”

Keene brought visual aids: a hemp stalk, seeds and fibers.

Keene cited three primary uses of hemp: grain, fiber and cannabidiol, or CBD. In an email interview, UK hemp researcher David Williams said “Cannabinoids are plant-generated molecules, like capsaicin in peppers or nicotine in tobacco.”

CBD is a cannabinoid like THC, but it is not psychoactive and does not cause euphoria or a high.

It is commonly advertised as treating a myriad of medical problems, but has only been scientifically linked to a few. It is most effective at treating tremors and seizures. A CBD firm, Kentucky Cannabis Co., is relocating to Midway.

A myriad of other cannabinoids have shown medicinal potential, but scientific research on them is nowhere near conclusive. Keene said that around 15 to 20 years ago, scientists discovered a system of endocannabinoid receptors in the brain. CBD, THC and all other cannabinoids interact with our bodies through these receptors, meaning our body has a built-in avenue to interact with cannabinoids.

Hemp seed can be used for human or animal consumption, like other grains, or cold-pressed for oil, which can be used as a cooking oil or replace the fossil-fuel oils used in plastics. Keene said the seeds have good nutritional value and are high in protein and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, and taste like almonds, only oilier.

Hemp fiber can be used for building materials and textiles. Cannabis has one of the longest natural fibers known to man, and it presents two major fibers, Keene said. The exterior fiber, the bast, is a longer fiber that can be woven into textiles like cotton. The interior fiber, the hurd, is a shorter fiber that can be used in building supplies, insulation or ground up for composites.

Keene brought in a stalk of hemp to show for visual aid. After his presentation, he gathered everyone around the plant to show its individual uses and the parts of the plant they come from.

This year, U.S. farmers applied to grow 500,000 acres of hemp, half of which was actually grown, and around 60,000 of which Kentucky farmers applied for, Keene said. They planted 26,000 acres.

Keene said 500,000 acres may sound large, but doesn’t compare to other U.S. crops like corn, which covers around 90 million acres this year.

Keene said demand for hemp will grow as the grain of the plant is ”allowed for use in animal feed and is integrated into our diets” as other seeds have been.

The Woman’s Club hosted Keene because members were curious about hemp and CBD, club President Genie Graf said. Also, the coming of Kentucky Cannabis Co. adds to the buzz.  “Our members were interested because it’s everywhere,” Graf said. “Everybody’s doing CBD.”