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.

Industrial hemp gets a bad rap, advocates say.

The pilot research program comes as state officials try to make sense of contradictory federal law.

The pilot research program comes as state officials try to make sense of contradictory federal law.

COLUMBIA — A bill allowing the growth of industrial hemp has cleared the Senate and is expected to be accepted by the House this week, lining South Carolina farmers up to begin planting the crop before the year is out.

COLUMBIA — A bill allowing the growth of industrial hemp has cleared the Senate and is expected to be accepted by the House this week, lining South Carolina farmers up to begin planting the crop before the year is out.

Lost to most in the flurry of legislation at the end of the South Carolina General Assembly’s session earlier this month was a bill legalizing the growth of industrial hemp. Not pot, but hemp.

Lost to most in the flurry of legislation at the end of the South Carolina General Assembly’s session earlier this month was a bill legalizing the growth of industrial hemp. Not pot, but hemp.

Could Iowa soon see a new cash crop, among our fields of corn and soybeans? The big topic at the State Capitol Monday was hemp.

Could Iowa soon see a new cash crop, among our fields of corn and soybeans? The big topic at the State Capitol Monday was hemp.

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.

The symposium is targeted at tribal leaders, regulators, attorneys, investors, and anyone wanting to know more about the new economic opportunity for Indian country.

It's a plant shrouded in stereotypes and stigmas, but for one Tennessee couple, hemp has provided a new opportunity for business after a family trip nearly turned to tragedy.

Even in Colorado, breeding hemp means grappling with all sorts of legal red tape. One plant biologist hopes to beat the odds.

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.

New York is now open for hemp growers. At least, it's open to 10 hemp growers.

New York is now open for hemp growers. At least, it's open to 10 hemp growers.

Washington’s hemp coordinator says she’s optimistic growers will plant the crop next year, though obtaining seeds depends on approval from a federal drug enforcement agency that still classifies hemp on a par with heroin.

Hemp. It’s a word you have probably heard more than once, and probably had some questions about at the time.

“This could potentially create the largest carbon-negative industry in the world."

New law allows people to obtain license to cultivate hemp for commercial products.

New law allows people to obtain license to cultivate hemp for commercial products.