The first U.S. regulation of cannabis was the “Marijuana Act of 1937.” Since then, it has been illegal to grow hemp in America.The country’s dependency on and use of the plant has been minimized to the extent that hemp production almost no longer exists in American agriculture.
As Jack Herer famously said many years ago, “Hemp can save the planet.” Many people understand that hemp can help save the planet through a variety of ways, including protein, oil and fiber-use possibilities, for example. But, surprisingly, the masses are not beating down the door to purchase raw hemp fiber, despite all these uses.
While I do not believe I will ever see products like T-shirts manufactured solely out of hemp made in North America (mainly because foreign manufacturing costs are lower), that does not mean we should not be actively exploring the economic value of diversified hemp products.
Now is the time for hemp production to begin again. But this can only happen if manufacturers embrace and incorporate hemp-based products into their products, and a new industry rises to pioneer innovative processes and uses for the hemp plant and its offerings.
To read the full article in Cannabis Business Times' February issue, click here.
Top photo by Kenneth Morrow
