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.

Three members of Kentucky’s U.S. Congressional delegation joined 16 other members of Congress in a letter Wednesday seeking clarification from federal agencies regarding industrial hemp guidelines.

For the first time in generations, Minnesota farmers are planting hemp.

Murray State University hosted a Hemp Education and Field Day earlier this month, giving area residents insight on the hemp plots being grown at the university.

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.

A farm in central New York is the first to legally grow hemp in 80 years as part of a new pilot program to explore hemp's industrial use.

A farm in central New York is the first to legally grow hemp in 80 years as part of a new pilot program to explore hemp's industrial use.

ASHEBORO — City officials approved a zoning permit for what may be the first hemp food processing plant in North Carolina.

ASHEBORO — City officials approved a zoning permit for what may be the first hemp food processing plant in North Carolina.

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.

After trying their hand at the crop, some North Dakota producers want to grow more.

After trying their hand at the crop, some North Dakota producers want to grow more.

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.

Although hemp is illegal at a federal level, 13 states have jumped on board the hemp train, and for good reason.

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.

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 Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted unanimously yesterday to legalize industrial hemp across the state, sending the legislation to Gov. Tom Wolf.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted unanimously yesterday to legalize industrial hemp across the state, sending the legislation to Gov. Tom Wolf.

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.

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.

Textile mills in regions such as Western North Carolina lie dormant while Americans import about $500 million worth of hemp annually.

Textile mills in regions such as Western North Carolina lie dormant while Americans import about $500 million worth of hemp annually.

FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Several state legislators want to legalize a crop they say could help farmers still reeling from flood damage.

ELGIN, N.D. – Out in a field that can be viewed from the windows of a farmhouse in southwestern North Dakota, Clarence Laub III, finished seeding his industrial hemp crop on June 1.

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.

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.

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

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.

A report released in May showed that nationwide, retail sales for hemp products in 2015 reached $575 million, which was a more than 10 percent increase from the prior year.

It is an opportunity to learn about all things hemp and cannabis related including growing, harvesting, medicinal uses and legislation.

Bruce Kennedy ~ WeedWorthy.com ~

A recent law seminar on industrial hemp underscores the industry’s challenges and opportunities.

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

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Two more colleges have been authorized to participate in New York's industrial hemp pilot program.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Two more colleges have been authorized to participate in New York's industrial hemp pilot program.