The term hemp is the vernacular English language word designating the plant Cannabis sativa, a plant that can be used to make a wide range of products, and be refined into a variety of commercial items, including paper, rope, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, insulation, biofuel, food, medicines, and animal feed. Along with bamboo, hemp is among the fastest growing plants on Earth and was also one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber 50,000 years ago.