One of the world’s oldest building and most sustainable building materials is making a comeback in the U.S., reports CNBC’s Bob Woods. When mixed with lime and water, hemp produces a natural concrete that is about an eighth lighter than traditional concrete. While it isn’t load-bearing, it does offer a green, moisture- and mold-resistant alternative to fiberglass insulation, foam, concrete, and wood. Woods reports:
Now that several states have legalized the use of marijuana for some recreational and medicinal purposes, a big untapped market is emerging for cannabis to be used as a building tool. Across America a grassroots effort is underway among builders, architects, material suppliers and farmers to renew this fledgling market.
This effort could be helped by a new bill introduced by Senate Majority Mitch McConnell last week, which would remove industrial hemp from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. If passed, the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2018 would remove regulatory barriers and encourage access to federal research funding for hemp.
The cannabis sativa plant isn't just for smoking. You can build your home with hemp from CNBC.
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