HEMP AND THE SUSTAINABILITY PARADIGM: REPOSITIONING THROUGH SCIENCE, ECONOMY, AND POLICY
2. INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY ENVIRONMENT AND HEMP CONGRESS, Bursa, Türkiye, 15 - 16 Aralık 2025, ss.16-22, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: Bursa
- Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.16-22
- Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Global environmental challenges, energy security concerns, and the need for sustainable agricultural systems have revived interest in plant-based biomaterials. In this context, hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) stands out as a central actor within the sustainability paradigm due to its high biomass productivity, rapid growth cycle, low ecological footprint, and multidimensional usability. This study provides an interdisciplinary assessment of hemp’s transformation from a “prohibited plant” to a strategic resource of the green transition, analyzed through the interrelated lenses of science, economy, and policy. The historical perspective traces hemp’s diverse utilization across civilizations for medical, industrial, and cultural purposes; the scientific dimension discusses the discovery of the endocannabinoid system, the therapeutic potential of phytocannabinoids, and hemp biomass as a feedstock for biofuels, bioplastics, and biomaterials. Economically, hemp contributes to circular economy models, bio-based industries, and green innovation ecosystems. Politically, the paper evaluates the consequences of global criminalization policies and highlights Turkey’s progress through the Industrial Hemp Specialized University model (Yozgat Bozok University) and the Keneviro investment initiative. Findings indicate that hemp should be recognized not merely as an agricultural crop but as a strategic element of sustainable development integrating science, economy, and national policy. Ultimately, the study argues for a holistic restructuring of legislation, funding mechanisms, and R&D frameworks to reposition hemp as a pillar of the green economy and sustainable future.
Keywords: Hemp, Sustainability, Endocannabinoid System, Green Industry, Bioeconomy