For centuries, hemp had been hailed as a staple crop and even during the early years of American colonization, it was considered legal tender in several states. However in the late 19th century, public sentiment about hemp began rapidly changing and eventually led to an outright ban of the crop and its products. By 1931, 29 states had outlawed the “marijuana menace” and in 1937 the coffin was sealed with the Marijuana Tax Act that banned its cultivation. The political and socio-economic issues that were responsible for the hemp ban would leave a lasting effect for over a hundred years, but today we are faced with a very different reality. In 2017 alone, $820 million worth of legal hemp products were sold in the United States and 1,456 licenses were issued to individuals to grow hemp. So what changed?
As the subject of studies across 32 US universities, hemp is coming back into the public eye, not as a narcotic, but as an essential and sustainable industry. Used for countless products ranging from medicines to textiles to food, it is predicted that by 2021 it will grow into a $40 billion industry. Just a few short years ago in 2014, the US Farm Bill authorized states to start programs for hemp cultivation, provided the farmers and grow sites were registered with the state. This isn’t the first time in history that the laws surrounding hemp have been revisited; a little known government program during the WWII era called “Hemp for Victory” encouraged farmers to use their land to grow and cultivate hemp to be used for rope, parachutes, and other necessary textiles for the war effort.
Though continuing legal issues still persist, such as accessing viable seeds for growing, criminal offenses, and hemp still being labeled as a narcotic, the 2018 US Farm Bill could legalize hemp production nationwide. Take a look at this infographic for more on the current state of hemp in the United States, how it’s legal movements are shifting, and what to expect for the future of hemp in countless industries.
Infographic Courtesy of Popular CBD Brands https://popularcbdbrands.com/hemp-oil/
