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

As interest in industrial hemp has grown, so too has interest in hemp-centric production.

Every part of the hemp plant has great market value‒the seeds, stalks, leaves and hurd (the woody core of the stalk). Traditionally, Natives used hemp to make medicinal salve, fishing nets and clothing.

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

There’s a common misconception that’s been confusing people for decades: Hemp is marijuana.

There’s a common misconception that’s been confusing people for decades: Hemp is marijuana.

A cutting-edge refinery is processing specially bred hemp and researching innovative new biomaterials that could help build future eco-friendly homes.

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.

Motorists do double-takes as they gawk at fields of cannabis plants flowering just outside Ashland, Oregon.

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.

EATON, N.Y. — For the first time in 80 years, a farm in New York State is legally growing cannabis.

EATON, N.Y. — For the first time in 80 years, a farm in New York State is legally growing cannabis.

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's Agriculture Commissioner is asking the federal government to reconsider its latest set of rules regarding industrial hemp.