Smelling of “hemp” – a member of the Cannabis sativa plant family which also includes marijuana – is again, presumably, tying into Mr Johnson’s overall “crusties” analysis, given its longstanding association with hippy stereotypes.
However, despite often being lumped in the same bracket as marijuana, which is registered as a Class B illegal drug, “hemp” generally refers to a strain which contains less than 0.3% THC, the active psychoactive element in cannabis plants.
Hemp can be grown legally under licence in the UK in accordance with Home Office guidelines, and it has been used for everything from building materials and jewellery to food for thousands of years.
So sold was Henry VIII on hemp’s benefits, in fact, that he made its growth compulsory by law in 1533, and its use for manufacturing rope, sails and rigging for the Royal Navy was crucial until the 18th century.
