230 Million Hemp Plants Growing Near Harborough

More than 200 million cannabis-like plants are being grown near Market Harborough as part of a new research project – the largest ever seen in the UK.

It’s looking into the benefits and sustainability of Hemp, which is a type of cannabis plant without the Psychoactive component.

Town firm CBD-Me is behind the project after securing a cultivation licence from the Home Office.

It’s hoped their research will show how the substance can be used to produce textiles, fuel or even roof insulation in a much more environmentally-friendly way than current means.

The crop is covering 240 acres of land at the unnamed site and that is set to increase to 5,000 acres next year as testing steps up.

Hemp plants are also able to absorb CO2 much quicker than other plants – it would take a forest 25 years to absorb the same amount of the harmful gas that the crop can absorb in its 120-day growth cycle.