Sure is. In the US (and most countries), processed hemp is legal, as long as it’s no longer in plant form. However, this question does come up a lot because often people don’t know the difference between hemp and cannabis. (curious? We got you).

Yep, hemp is about as sustainable as it gets and is known as one of the least harmful fabrics. Here’s why: It requires little water and no harsh chemical herbicides to grow, it doesn’t require pesticides because it naturally reduces pests and it returns 60-70% of the nutrients it takes from the soil – meaning nutrients remain underground where they can continue to benefit the environment (phytoremediation if you want to get technical…cool, right?). In its natural form, hemp is also a biodegradable fiber. Lastly, it’s super durable and long-lasting, and keeping anything out of the landfill for longer is a big win for sustainability.

Hemp goes through the following processes to become the fabric you get in clothing: First, farmers use a special machine to harvest the hemp plant during the early to mid-flowering stage. After harvesting, stems are placed on the ground for several weeks to allow for retting – a decay method in which the pectin, which binds the hemp fiber, decomposes. Now, the fiber is separated from the bark. Next comes the process of removing the central woody core from the stems (this is called “decortication”). Then, the lingin – an organic polymer that makes plants woody – is removed. It’s responsible for the scratchy and rough texture of traditional hemp fiber, so removing it makes the fiber softer and more skin-friendly. Lastly, hemp fibers are spun and twisted together to form long threads (similar in texture to linen) which will be woven into textiles. They can also be blended with other natural fibers to create fabrics with hemp’s durability and the added softness of cotton. Labor intensive? A bit. Worth it? 100%. 

As always, we recommend checking your item’s care label for specific washing instructions (especially as we often blend hemp with other fibers to make even more sustainable and soft super-fibers). But in general, you can machine wash cool on a gentle cycle. We also recommend line drying if you can (it’s easier on the planet). 

Yes, hemp is a natural fiber that can shrink in hot water or a hot dryer.