For years now, a very useful plant has been illegal. However, over many years laws involving this plant have relaxed. I am of course referring to the plant cannabis sativa, and its many names: marijuana, weed, etc. Most of the strains of cannabis are grown specifically for recreational consumption, which has been illegal throughout the US for some time now. However, there are some strains that can be used to produce some very useful products in very legal ways. These strains are commonly referred to as industrial hemp. Laws surrounding industrial hemp differ widely across the world, which is why the cannabis industry hasn’t really taken off. Industrial hemp can be used to make products such as: rope, clothing, shoes, paper, food, paint, lotions, bioplastics, and biofuels. Hemp fibers can be used to make rope and clothing, although most of the time hemp is mixed with other materials such as cotton when making fabrics. Hemp seeds can be eaten raw, or the seeds can be processed in hydraulic presses to get the oil out of them. Hemp seeds are rich with fatty acids and proteins. A mixture of flax, kenaf, hemp fiber, and fiberglass can be used to make plastics. These plastics have mostly been used in the automotive industry. Hemp can even be fermented and made into ethanol, which can be used as an alternative fuel. Paper can also be made from hemp pulp, although it is more costly than paper made from wood pulp. Overall, hemp has many uses that could prove beneficial for society. As time moves forward, more research into hemp is bound to take place. Perhaps we will discover even more uses of this magnificent specimen.