Hemp Goes Ligit

The federal government is loosening up on hemp, with 10 states likely to get into the game via a new farm bill.

Hemp and marijuana are the same species, Cannabis sativa. Hemp, however, is cultivated to reduce or eliminate THC, marijuana’s psychoactive chemical.

With the move allowing the cultivation of hemp, the U.S. government hopes to clear the way for farmers to compete in an industry currently dominated by China and Canada.

Even though it’s not grown here, the U.S. is one of the fastest-growing hemp markets. In 2011, the U.S. imported $11.5 million worth of hemp products, up from $1.4 million in 2000. Most of that growth was seen in hemp seed and hemp oil, which finds its way into granola bars and other products.

Hemp has historically been used for rope but has hundreds of other uses: clothing and mulch from the fiber, foods such as hemp milk and cooking oil from the seeds, and creams, soap and lotions.

 

 

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.