Our Story
Hemp supports America.
From drafts of our founding documents to the sustainable paneling of 21st century cars, hemp’s versatility and strength have made it the fabric of the American imagination. Today, hemp is used in clothing, biofuels, plastics, personal care, feed and food. Economic experts predict a multi-billion dollar U.S. hemp industry by 2020.
Hemp supports farmers. A durable crop that grows in a variety of climates and soil types, hemp opens up bright new economic opportunities for American agriculture.
During most of the last century, we had to import all of our hemp. It was illegal to grow in the U.S. because it was mistakenly classified as a controlled substance. But hemp is not marijuana. Hemp cannot get you high.
That all changed a few years ago when the U.S. Congress and more than 30 state legislatures permitted hemp cultivation as part of a research pilot program. The experiment has been an unqualified success. Thousands of jobs have been created across the country, and American farmers realize that this is a meaningful new economic opportunity.
Now there’s tremendous political momentum to make this successful experiment a permanent reality. With your help, we’re here to energize the American economy.
It’s time to permanently legalize hemp. Join citizens from across government, the agricultural industry, U.S. manufacturers, the small business community, and beyond, to support legislation (Senate Bill 2667 and House Bill 5485) that would establish hemp as an agricultural commodity, removing it completely and permanently from the purview of the Controlled Substances Act.
Join our movement to permanently legalize hemp. Sign up as a Hemp Supporter. Because Hemp Supports America.
Hemp is not Marijuana
While they come from the same plant species, hemp has no – or just trace amounts – of THC, the intoxicating chemical in marijuana. Hemp simply cannot get you high.
Hemp Has a Deep Enduring American History
It was a leading cash crop grown by many of our nation's founders, and was critical to U.S. efforts in both world wars. While farming hemp was made illegal in the 20th century, imported hemp products have been sold in every state for decades, an almost billion-dollar import industry. We believe those jobs and economic opportunity belong in the U.S.
Hemp Has a Deep Enduring American History
It was a leading cash crop grown by many of our nation's founders, and was critical to U.S. efforts in both world wars. While farming hemp was made illegal in the 20th century, imported hemp products have been sold in every state for decades, an almost billion-dollar import industry. We believe those jobs and economic opportunity belong in the U.S.
Farmers Are Pleading: Permanently Legalize Hemp
While pilot programs have helped propel the domestic hemp industry, only full legalization of the crop – and keeping Washington off of the farm – will allow development of mature markets to provide true economic opportunities for U.S. farmers. That's why leading farm groups like the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union are calling for passage of bi-partisan House and Senate bills that remove hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, empower state agriculture programs, and unleash an exciting new industry.
Hemp is Already Making an Economic Comeback
The Farm Bill experiment has been an unqualified success, creating thousands of jobs and a thriving national market for many end uses, including clothing, personal care, animal feed, food, and nutritional supplements. Following the lead of European industry, U.S. hemp pilot projects are exploring production of auto parts, textiles, chemicals, plastics, green energy, insulation, and animal bedding.
Hemp is Already Making an Economic Comeback
The Farm Bill experiment has been an unqualified success, creating thousands of jobs and a thriving national market for many end uses, including clothing, personal care, animal feed, food, and nutritional supplements. Following the lead of European industry, U.S. hemp pilot projects are exploring production of auto parts, textiles, chemicals, plastics, green energy, insulation, and animal bedding.
GROWING AND SELLING HEMP IS LEGAL, ADDRESSING LAW ENFORCEMENT CONCERNS
Growing hemp was legalized by the 2014 Farm Bill for states that establish research pilot programs (now more than 30). The 2016 Omnibus Spending Law prohibits federal agencies from interfering with state-authorized hemp pilot projects, or with the interstate sale of such hemp products. State pilot programs are providing police GPS coordinates of hemp fields to demarcate hemp from marijuana, and the industry is developing – in conjunction with law enforcement – a self-regulated organization to promote quality standards and transparency.
HEMP FOOD IS POPULAR AND SAFE
Economic analysts predict hemp foods and nutraceuticals to emerge as a multi-billion U.S. market by 2020. The most popular product – hemp-derived cannabidiol or CBD – has been declared by the World Health Organization’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence as safe and well-tolerated in humans (and animals), and is not linked with any negative public health concerns. Furthermore, the WHO concluded that CBD does not induce physical dependence and is not associated with abuse potential.
HEMP FOOD IS POPULAR AND SAFE
Economic analysts predict hemp foods and nutraceuticals to emerge as a multi-billion U.S. market by 2020. The most popular product – hemp-derived cannabidiol or CBD – has been declared by the World Health Organization’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence as safe and well-tolerated in humans (and animals), and is not linked with any negative public health concerns. Furthermore, the WHO concluded that CBD does not induce physical dependence and is not associated with abuse potential.
JOIN US
Sign up as a Hemp Supporter. We’ll keep you updated, empowering you with the tools and knowledge to help hemp emerge as America’s newest farm success story.
Be a hemp supporter because hemp supports America.
Paid for by U.S. Hemp Roundtable, Inc., an independent,
nonprofit organization exempt from federal taxation
under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.
250 West Main Street, Suite 2800, Lexington, KY 40507.
Paid for by U.S. Hemp Roundtable, Inc., an independent, nonprofit organization exempt from federal taxation under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. 250 West Main Street, Suite 2800, Lexington, KY 40507.