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.

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - As the Kansas farm economy struggles farmers are considering anything that can help turn a profit, even if it means changing state law.

RENO COUNTY, Kan. - As the Kansas farm economy struggles farmers are considering anything that can help turn a profit, even if it means changing state law.

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

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

The Kentucky Senate has passed a bill to update state law governing hemp production.

The Kentucky Senate has passed a bill to update state law governing hemp production.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican lawmakers want to help Wisconsin's once-dominant hemp industry make a comeback, giving farmers the chance to add a versatile and hardy plant to their fields.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican lawmakers want to help Wisconsin's once-dominant hemp industry make a comeback, giving farmers the chance to add a versatile and hardy plant to their fields.

Years of breeding and manipulation resulted in the emergence of two varieties: one for medicinal and spiritual purposes, the other for agricultural and industrial uses.

Years of breeding and manipulation resulted in the emergence of two varieties: one for medicinal and spiritual purposes, the other for agricultural and industrial uses.

Over the past two years a number of new marijuana-related businesses have registered in Vermont.

Over the past two years a number of new marijuana-related businesses have registered in Vermont.

The state House of Representatives on Tuesday passed yet another bill that would legalize research on industrial hemp.

The state House of Representatives on Tuesday passed yet another bill that would legalize research on industrial hemp.

After a successful first year growing industrial hemp, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture is seeking producers for year two.

After a successful first year growing industrial hemp, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture is seeking producers for year two.

BISMARCK — The 2014 Farm Bill allowed for universities and state departments of agriculture to create pilot programs for the growing of industrial hemp. But it didn’t change the Controlled Substances Act or make hemp completely legal.

BISMARCK — The 2014 Farm Bill allowed for universities and state departments of agriculture to create pilot programs for the growing of industrial hemp. But it didn’t change the Controlled Substances Act or make hemp completely legal.

The state will receive a total of 84,250 pounds of industrial hemp seed this year with seed distributed in 50-pound bags.

The state will receive a total of 84,250 pounds of industrial hemp seed this year with seed distributed in 50-pound bags.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Real-world research in more than a dozen states in recent years is giving farmers new understanding of how to grow industrial hemp and showing that it has promise to be a viable commercial crop in the U.S.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Real-world research in more than a dozen states in recent years is giving farmers new understanding of how to grow industrial hemp and showing that it has promise to be a viable commercial crop in the U.S.

Pennsylvania farmers are being invited to participate in a Hemp Pilot Research program that will contribute toward a better understanding of what could be a new cash crop in the commonwealth.

Industrial hemp gets a bad rap, advocates say.