Millions going to Oregon State University to explore the uses of the hemp plant

Oregon State University is paving the way for the future of the hemp industry.

According to Jeffrey Steiner with OSU, Oregon growers could not grow hemp until 2018. The OSU researchers were able to start their research in 2019.

The university started a formal partnership with the USDA back in 2022.

Now the two will work together with the new $5.5 million funding.

Steiner says "So you think about the hemp plant, you know, it's a very versatile plant. It produces flowers and it's from flowers that chemicals such as CBD come from, as well as different aromatic materials that can be used as fragrances or in flavors, you know, in manufactured products. But we're not really looking at the flower part of the plant. We're looking at the rest of the plant, which is primarily made up of stalks."

When the stalk is used, there is potential to make different materials like insulation, construction blocks, or even plastic.

"So hemp could be used in the manufacture of recyclable, biodegradable spoons and forks," says Steiner.

Also, the fiber can be used to make textiles that are used in making parts of shoes, pants, or shirts.

As for food, Steiner says the plant-based protein source could be made into tofu.

https://katu.com/news/local/osu-explo...

_______________
Stay up to date with our social media:

KATU on Facebook:   / katunews  
KATU on Twitter:   / katunews  
Subscribe to KATU on YouTube:    / @katunews  

Daily News Playlist:    • KATU Daily News Playlist  

For more information, visit https://katu.com/

Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:

Email us: [email protected]
Call the Newsroom: 503.231.4222

KATU is a OR based station and a ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.

#KATU #Katu2abc #Portland #Oregon #localnews #oregonnews