Hemp industry representatives set out on Capitol Hill to press their case to ease federal restrictions on the cash crop, one they say has lucrative future in the U.S.

Hemp industry representatives set out on Capitol Hill to press their case to ease federal restrictions on the cash crop, one they say has lucrative future in the U.S.

Environmental cleanup could be as simple as using natural resources, such as Indian mustard seed, sunflowers and hemp.

WASHINGTON — Supporters of industrial hemp are optimistic the crop has a future in a state known for sweeping fields of corn and soybeans.

WASHINGTON — Supporters of industrial hemp are optimistic the crop has a future in a state known for sweeping fields of corn and soybeans.

Hempcrete — a mixture of hemp stalk, water and lime — could pave the way toward a sustainable future.

As marijuana laws continue to loosen across the country -- and the world -- it looks like hemp could be brought back in a big way.

Individuals interested in the hemp industry, science and policy can attend concurrent tracks in each area and a two-day scientific poster session and trade show.

Hemp advocates say it is fast and cost effective in cleaning up oil spills on land or water.

Hemp was once a mainstay crop in Virginia, until it ended up being banished as part of the long U.S. war on drugs starting in the 1930s.

The prospect of growing industrial hemp for a living in Rowan County is apparently a hot topic.

The prospect of growing industrial hemp for a living in Rowan County is apparently a hot topic.

One acre of hemp can reportedly yield up to 5,300 pounds of straw, which can be turned into 1,300 pounds of wood fiber.

DENVER (AP) -- Colorado livestock could be eating hemp under a bill that passed the state Senate Tuesday.

While plenty of cannabis goes up in smoke in coffee shops around the Netherlands, Dutch researchers have found a new use for it - as an environmentally friendly building material to rival cement or steel.

Cannabis: It’s not just for medicinal or recreational purposes. At least that's what one commercial grower hopes.

BOSTON - A measure on track for the November statewide ballot would open the doors of the Massachusetts marketplace to legal use of recreational marijuana. But a small section in the proposed ballot measure promoted by the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol would also regulate the cultivation, process, distribution and sale of hemp.

BOSTON - A measure on track for the November statewide ballot would open the doors of the Massachusetts marketplace to legal use of recreational marijuana. But a small section in the proposed ballot measure promoted by the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol would also regulate the cultivation, process, distribution and sale of hemp.

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.

RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) -- The Manufacturing of Industrial Hemp for commercial purposes was approved according to Virginia's Legislation Information System.

RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) -- The Manufacturing of Industrial Hemp for commercial purposes was approved according to Virginia's Legislation Information System.

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.

The growing of hemp was approved in Missouri in 2014.

The growing of hemp was approved in Missouri in 2014.

Clint Pyatt is a third-generation farmer from Oklahoma who has traveled the world promoting the hemp industry. So it’s no coincidence that the 45-year-old Marine Corps veteran is trying to shepherd hemp into Pueblo County.

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.

Though commercial marijuana became legal in Alaska in February 2015, hemp is not yet legal.

Though commercial marijuana became legal in Alaska in February 2015, hemp is not yet legal.

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.”

VIENNA, W.Va. (AP) — Hemp seeds are being distributed to approved growers in West Virginia for a research project on the crop.

VIENNA, W.Va. (AP) — Hemp seeds are being distributed to approved growers in West Virginia for a research project on the crop.

Australians may soon be able to buy hemp seeds to snack on, if a new proposal is given the thumbs-up.

Tom Weber ~ Minnesota Public Radio ~

At a recent presentation, a scientist described how he and his team were able to recycle leftover hemp bast fiber into powerful energy-storing supercapacitors.

Hemp history week began on June 6, and one hemp businessman and activist is driving across the country for the second phase of his Hemp Road Trip, to show America the power of industrial hemp.

"It can be a billion-dollar crop if we wanted it to be," said Geoff Whaling, president of the Pennsylvania Hemp Industrial Council.

"It can be a billion-dollar crop if we wanted it to be," said Geoff Whaling, president of the Pennsylvania Hemp Industrial Council.

There is a lot of confusion about the difference between hemp, cannabis and marijuana.

Legislation recently passed in Hawaii’s Senate that sets the foundation to legalize hemp grown for research, but the bill awaits Governor David Ige’s signature.

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.

With a long list of uses and applications, industrial hemp holds tremendous profit potential for Kentucky farmers.

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