Hemp initiatives in states from tiny Rhode Island in the east to expansive Washington state in the USA’s northwest are seeing advances as proponents of the crop see its potential to revive the farm sector and boost state tax coffers — sooner or later.

Hemp initiatives in states from tiny Rhode Island in the east to expansive Washington state in the USA’s northwest are seeing advances as proponents of the crop see its potential to revive the farm sector and boost state tax coffers — sooner or later.

Hemp was once a mainstay crop in Virginia, until it ended up being banished as part of the long U.S. war on drugs starting in the 1930s.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators who have resisted proposals to legalize marijuana for medical use are advancing a proposal aimed at making the state an industrial hemp powerhouse.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators who have resisted proposals to legalize marijuana for medical use are advancing a proposal aimed at making the state an industrial hemp powerhouse.

Kentucky's Agriculture Commissioner is asking the federal government to reconsider its latest set of rules regarding industrial hemp.

Kentucky's Agriculture Commissioner is asking the federal government to reconsider its latest set of rules regarding industrial hemp.

Kentucky officials are expecting a significant jump in hemp cultivation during 2017.

Kentucky officials are expecting a significant jump in hemp cultivation during 2017.

State regulators and government officials involved in crafting rules for the budding legal and medical marijuana industry are going to pot.

State regulators and government officials involved in crafting rules for the budding legal and medical marijuana industry are going to pot.

BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota's first crop of industrial hemp is showing promise, with returns better than a lot of other commodities.

BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota's first crop of industrial hemp is showing promise, with returns better than a lot of other commodities.

CORPUS CHRISTI - Support is growing across Texas for legislation that would allow farmers the opportunity to grow hemp.

CORPUS CHRISTI - Support is growing across Texas for legislation that would allow farmers the opportunity to grow hemp.

Cannabis is legally grown in Nebraska except the garden serves a much different purpose from the typical assumption.

Cannabis is legally grown in Nebraska except the garden serves a much different purpose from the typical assumption.

After months of paperwork and navigating bureaucratic red tape, University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers have planted their first crop of legal hemp.

After months of paperwork and navigating bureaucratic red tape, University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers have planted their first crop of legal hemp.

Still in the early stages, results from the study aren't expected until 2018.

Still in the early stages, results from the study aren't expected until 2018.

Previously, there was no official mechanism for Vermont's hemp growers to have their product tested, though many industrial growers have labs to test their crop or have it sent to third-party labs for testing.

Previously, there was no official mechanism for Vermont's hemp growers to have their product tested, though many industrial growers have labs to test their crop or have it sent to third-party labs for testing.