Among the many gray areas in the hemp space, hemp fiber products have their own set of issues to clarify.  Among them is an identity problem.  Besides the lack of any standards in US hemp fiber production or processing, there is no way to tell if a product being purchased is in fact derived from hemp.  Of course, this also applies to cannabinoids now that they can be produced in a vat. 

Major retailers, like Patagonia, Levi’s and Orvis can be relied upon to deliver what they say they will.  But how do wholesale buyers know that a product is actually manufactured with hemp?  How does one vet the supply chain for hemp textiles? 

We’ve heard from one US operator that discovered yarns they imported from China were not 100% hemp.  In some applications, hemp is difficult to distinguish from linen or jute.  Especially if one has no experience with hemp.  Buyers of imported hemp yarn or fabric will need to get a microscope, or…