RALEIGH -  The state commission charged with fostering an industrial hemp industry in North Carolina is considering joining a lawsuit against a government agency that it agrees is making things difficult: the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

RALEIGH -  The state commission charged with fostering an industrial hemp industry in North Carolina is considering joining a lawsuit against a government agency that it agrees is making things difficult: the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

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.

LINCOLN — Hemp may grow wild across Nebraska, but if you want to make clothing or other products out of the industrial cousin of marijuana, you’ll have to buy it cultivated from Canada.

LINCOLN — Hemp may grow wild across Nebraska, but if you want to make clothing or other products out of the industrial cousin of marijuana, you’ll have to buy it cultivated from Canada.

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.

Industrial hemp gets a bad rap, advocates say.

Industrial hemp gets a bad rap, advocates say.

Not to be confused with illicit marijuana, useful plant draws interest as crop option at U's ag campus.

Not to be confused with illicit marijuana, useful plant draws interest as crop option at U's ag campus.

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.

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

The fourth annual NoCo Hemp Expo this past weekend featured more than 130 vendors and 60 speakers, all sharing information about this amazing plant.

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.

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.

For now, the Boring Hemp Co. is focusing on producing hemp seeds, which have been in short supply as the nascent industry finds its legs in the state.

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.