Cannabis Sativa L. is the scientific name for the hemp plant. Cannabis is a tall, woody plant that will grow in practically any climate. Just as there are tiny terriers and huge Great Danes in the canine world, corn for cattle and sweet corn for people, and sweet and salty liquorice, there are different kinds of cannabis. Certain varieties produce compounds that act as medicinal or psychoactive substances, whereas others produce mainly fibre, wood and seeds which hardly contain these active substances.

It is the non-psychoactive cannabis species that are grown as a source of fibre, wood and seed. After processing, these parts of the cannabis plant are used in a number of industrial products.