Hempcrete, a lightweight, cementitious composite made with industrial hemp hurds (woody fibers from the plant core), lime, and water that can come in modular blocks similar to concrete masonry units. Hempcrete should not be mistaken for reinforced concrete, as the materials is not structural, nor can it be used in foundations since the natural fibers will degrade with prolonged exposure to moisture.

So if hemp is such a super-material, as many call it, why is it not more common? As mentioned above, regulation is the primary obstacle. Although hemp seeds are now available in the U.S., farmers still require permits to grow the plants. Furthermore, the requirement of building code exceptions for hemp-based construction serves as another roadblock. Nevertheless, the combination of clear economic and ecological advantages for industrial hemp may eventually lead to a breakthrough. One possibility is the passage of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2017, which, if successful, will eliminate the controlled substance designation for hemp. Although the chance of the bill’s passing is uncertain, it would bring about what The New York Times characterizes as “an Olympic leap toward a burgeoning agro-business.”