A bill that would legalize hemp production in New Mexico passed another legislative hurdle on Monday.

A bill that would legalize hemp production in New Mexico passed another legislative hurdle on Monday.

With pot consumption now legal in half of all states for either medical or recreational purposes, the long-dormant business of hemp production may well be poised for a renaissance.

31 states have passed legislation allowing hemp research or production.

Casinos on Native American land have poured billions into tribal economies since the late 1980s, lifting many people from poverty. Now, some hope, cultivating industrial hemp could do the same.

It’s been nearly a century in the making, but this May will bring with it the first legal planting of the versatile, valuable industrial hemp oilseed and fiber crop in Washington State in approximately 90 years.

It’s been nearly a century in the making, but this May will bring with it the first legal planting of the versatile, valuable industrial hemp oilseed and fiber crop in Washington State in approximately 90 years.

Industry insiders believe industrial hemp is on a slow-burn toward titan crop status and will be the fastest growing segment of agricultural crops during the next 15 years.

BROOMFIELD, Colo. – The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is announcing that three industrial hemp seed varieties have passed the statewide THC validation and observation trial and are now eligible to be grown by the Colorado Seed Growers Association for production of “CDA Approved Certified Seed.”

BROOMFIELD, Colo. – The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is announcing that three industrial hemp seed varieties have passed the statewide THC validation and observation trial and are now eligible to be grown by the Colorado Seed Growers Association for production of “CDA Approved Certified Seed.”

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - The medical marijuana bill, which is currently in discussion in the state Senate, and a law that would allow farmers to grow industrial hemp are two separate issues.

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - The medical marijuana bill, which is currently in discussion in the state Senate, and a law that would allow farmers to grow industrial hemp are two separate issues.

The plant is almost magical, advocates say, with a range of applications from paper to medicine. So why is it illegal to grow?

Could industrial hemp be the rotational crop of the future in the Midwest?

Both the federal government and various state governments have taken major steps forward in restarting an industry that has been in hibernation for almost a century.

Some people are trying to convince Idaho lawmakers to make it legal to grow industrial hemp in the state for research.

Some people are trying to convince Idaho lawmakers to make it legal to grow industrial hemp in the state for research.

HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — History was made at the North Carolina-Tennessee border Friday night as the first permitted industrial hemp plants were trucked into the mountains.

There’s one piece of legislation that seems to be getting broad bipartisan support in Springfield.

There’s one piece of legislation that seems to be getting broad bipartisan support in Springfield.

Like marijuana, industrial hemp comes from the cannabis plant, but it does not have large concentrations of the compound that makes marijuana a high-inducing drug.

Like marijuana, industrial hemp comes from the cannabis plant, but it does not have large concentrations of the compound that makes marijuana a high-inducing drug.

A goal of the Texas Hemp Industries Association, besides educating people on industrial hemp, is to encourage Texans to vote for the legalization of hemp farming in Texas.

A goal of the Texas Hemp Industries Association, besides educating people on industrial hemp, is to encourage Texans to vote for the legalization of hemp farming in Texas.

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.

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.